Blood tribute (INV) [COMPLETED]

_____It was a mixed expression that the women had across her face as she took another bite from the loaf of bread and listened to the old woman's story about some wolf and her husband going to hunt it. Her expression glowed twistedly when she mentioned he never came back, but quickly changed to annoyance when she asked her for help. She was not playing this game to be a hero, she did not care for the women or the man, but to hunt a wolf and kill it was hard to pass up. Kicking herself out of the seat and walking to retrieve her weapon from the wall she grinned wildly.

”I honestly don’t care what you had to say, I'll go hunt the wolf because it sounds like good pray. If i find your lover I'll bring him back, in pieces or alive if he still is ha-ha.”

_____Mary was not someone who got along well with others, if the women felt annoyed or mad at the child like girl she would just laugh and cut her head off when she got back. Moving her weapon to allow it to fit through the door before she began to skip happily following no real set path. She knew that to hunt something you needed bait, and as much as she wanted to use the old women as bait she figured killing her was not worth it. So she needed actual prey animals to lure out the wolf.

”Should I kill some adventurer I find to use as bait, maybe mane them so they can get mauled for show…?”

_____Mary slowly swung her halberd across the air with her free hand, her other lifting the last of the bread piece into her mouth as she happily hummed and chewed the wheat. This women was the last someone you would want to help you out, what ill fate awaited the wolf, the old man & women, and anyone else who got involved with the black cat?
@Minerva Fletchgard | @Lucia Mierz

 

After seeing the other girl in here. Maya wondered why she even took this quest. First the rats and now she had to work with some brat to kill a petty wolf. Finding the man alive would improve Minerva's prestige however, and Maya seeked a great deal of success in this virtual world. She would not allow some fiery little trouble maker to screw that up. Hopefully the third member of this quest would not be as difficult but Maya had bad luck for the most part. It was transferring into the game as well it seemed. Damnit.

Waiting for the the little blood thirsty (probably a player killer) mage to leave on the hunt. Minerva placed a reassuring hand on the woman. In a way, the black cat had made things easier for the holy knight to look all the more heroic and grand. Maybe it was not all bad. Extreme opposites only cause traits to become all the more obvious. That would work in Minerva's favor in this world.

"The wolf is finished. Daresay we may be overdoing it some. I will find your husband and assure nothing comes to harm him. If he has fallen... I will offer him a prayer and return him to you at the least."

Heading for the door herself. Minerva worked to conceal her smile. The hunt was on. Time to see what this knight body was capable of. The catgirl had gone on ahead. Well, splitting up was a possibility. Maya preferred to work alone or to be the commander. That would not be the case here. We, let her 'comrades' do whatever they want. Minerva had her own methods for taking care of a simple thing like this.

Studying forest survivor was just one of many things a bored and bedridden girl would read in her endless spare time.

@Bloody Mary @Lucia Mierz

 

Lucia could only catch everyone's exchanges with the NPC from afar, she'd been watching for a long while, debating on whether or not to accept or refuse the quest. She was leaning against it, and then coming back to thinking it wouldn't be so bad repeatedly with a heavy sigh. One who was ready to eviscerate people senselessly as if there would be no consequences for their actions, another guilty of the opposing crime of either overestimating themselves or underestimating an opponent. Lucia felt endless grievances from both sides, had neither of them played a game before? Were wolves such low level existences that they could be butchered by a bunch of newbs? Perhaps if they were rats, slimes or some kind of herbivore she would be equally lax. Coupled with the reality that her husband had been giving this creature peace offerings, if he was so incapable of hunting it down would their chances be better one on one?

Logic leaned towards 'No', but she couldn't exactly be sure with this game's limitations and learning curb. If it really was as the gushing woman thought Lucia would only be disappointed in her new home. "I guess it's better then refusing, I'll be able to see how effective everything is." Lucia mused finally deciding to accept. Clenching her fist a few times to retrieve the menu she'd been putting off, she finally formally accepted the request before taking a few hastened steps towards the woman who was still concerned and worried. No doubt the first one being a monster and the second one overflowing with confidence thick enough to cut with a chainsaw, comforting her would be incredibly difficult. After all, her husband had died from this creature, a stranger flippantly slaying it wasn't something anyone would react to positively. "... I can only try to keep an eye on them. As for your loved one-- Well, if he is gone, he doesn't have to go alone." She started glancing towards the pair who walked off that seemed like oil and water.

"It's painful to be alone isn't it? It hurts... to know what you want-- need is beyond you doesn't it?" Lucia questioned, looking down at the poor woman. Frightened by someone crazed, then reassured by someone asking for blind faith, this was a good opportunity. "This doesn't have to be the end though. Not for him, and certainly not for you. This life, after all, is only the beginning-- I'll look for the wolf, but give my words some thought. If you're not opposed to something a little... 'Unorthodox'... I'd like to reunite you if all else fails." Lucia spoke, knowing that she needed souls and spirits, grieving people were more inclined to search for the end on their own after all. "If nothing else, I can promise you'll be together." She offered trying to neither give her false hope nor frighten her with despair. What she needed was the woman's soul after all, not her admiration.

After properly laying the foundation for her future plans though, she sped off after the pair from before with a heavy sigh. If this game did have any sense of balance, each member of the party would be needed for this task in one way or another. First, the armored one, reaching out a hand after finally catching up chasing after the flashy silhouette, she reached a hand out for the woman's shoulder to try and slow her reckless advance. "Whoa whoa there. Things have only just started, don't be so impatient okay?" Lucia spoke, her tone slightly impatient and exhausted, not from the trip or exertion but from the thought of how she might have to play 'mediator'. From the start she was someone who adored spotlight and attention after all, while the middle man could easily fill this role, it was an arduous position. "Lets not be hasty here, haven't you ever played a game before? Are wolves really the herbivores you think they are? You can't just righteous it to death until it exhausts you." Lucia complained a little, the woman seemed like the type who was armed to the teeth after all, chasing something agile like a wolf through it's own backyard seemed like a bad idea.

"First, let's group up and corner it at least." She continued, trying to offer a more reasonable plan. After all, this game boasted AI clever enough for political intrigue, it should have wolves that were smart enough to not run face first into a stationary person's blade.

 

_____Hunting animals was easy for Mary, not only because ehr race gave her somewhat better senses, but the fact she had picked a hunter mastery and rouge to help close gaps between her pray. Some time between the last time the two had seen her she changed her appearance. Her frame arcing between tree branches above the two as she crashed down nearby with her mouth locked around a small rabbit. Her ears no longer hidden by her ribbon and her weapon back into her inventory. Slowly turning on all fours as she looked to the other two and spit the rabbit out of her mouth.

_____She had already done a number to the poor animal as it twitched in pain. It would not be running with all it’s legs partly broken and the small jaw mark around the neck leaked blood. Without much delay Mary stood up and held the rabbit by the ears making it struggle more. Waving her arm around to make it squirm more Mary laughed and looked into the helpless eyes of her pray before she reached to offer it to the other girls. If she had to work with people she was going to have them carry the bait while she hunted it.

”If the wolf is used to getting hunt from the people we just need to bait it in with it no?”

_____Something rational came out of her mouth as she smiled with blood still on her teeth before tossing the rabbit to the two and leaping back into the bushes to keep hunting prey. If either tried to speak with her before she dashed off again she would stay to listen, but if not she would not return for a few minutes as she set her sights on something more meaty for the wolf. Red eyes locked onto a small deer from some bushes, her tail flicking outside the other side of the bush.
@Minerva Fletchgard | @Lucia Mierz

 

It would not take long for Maya's bad luck to only worsen. The third member of this quest was not going to be pleasant to work with either. This woman was probably a big sister or something in real life. Did Maya still give off a vulnerable vibe? If anyone knew what they were doing here it was her for certain. Maya would not be looked down upon in this life. Never! Her self paranoia was strong but she had determination to be the hero in this world. Not the victim. So Minerva remained resolute and calmly responded with a hint of dismissal in her voice.

"Thank you for the concern, but I know what I am doing. I have come up with the solution to this problem long before leaving the woman's home. One must..."

Minerva would unfortunately not get a chance to fully explain her over analysed and overly detailed plan. Because The black cat had already taken steps for her. Everyone was doing their own thing here... that would not bode well if this beast was something more than a wolf. It was a thought that led Maya to take this quest. It was not a easy rank quest for a reason, but why? Wolves could be fought as often as one wanted if they just went on a power grind. They weren't really a 'monster' that Maya imagined needing three players to kill a single one. This one must have with extremely boosted stats or... was not just a wolf.

Looking at the bloody animal corpse that the mage had dropped in front of them. Minerva would have smiled at the fact this girl was getting into her character so well, but... it was too disgusting for that. Sighing ever so slightly she placed her hands on her hips and waited. It was already too late to change plans now. A bloody carcass would indeed bring many beasts. This could have just been made worse. Hopefully luck will actually change soon.

"Well... the smell of blood is already in air. I suppose we will take positions and face whatever comes. I am Minerva by the way. And you?"

She looked to the dark haired woman with her. She wasn't about to shout out to the prancing cat for a name. Enough attention was being garnered so at least the number of people here should not be shouted to the entire forest.

@Bloody Mary @Lucia Mierz

 

Lucia could only sigh hearing the girl's words, was it over confidence or something else? They hadn't really prepared anything this was enemy territory, they risked drawing too much negative influence. The more confident Minerva seemed, the more concerned Lucia felt for this girl who seemed unaware of the dangers. For a moment, as Minerva tried to reassure her or explain that everything was taken care of, Lucia only responded with a silent gaze of pity and sympathy. A wolf wasn't an easy opponent, to beat? Sure, but to kill? One had to be faster then it, with one person in thick armor equipped with shield and sword, the other one with a large steel weapon, that seemed unrealistic.

Lucia herself had mobility but she knew her own stat make up well, she was geared towards magic more then archery. She was a decent archer, enough to put up a good front but not a perfect one-- It would be easier to mistake her for a craftsman who took archery as their combat choice. She wasn't confident about nailing something speedy down. From her companion's attires and equipment choices, she could only guess they shouldn't be either.

"Don't be silly, bad solutions don't count." She spoke instantly shooting down whatever Minerva might have thought up without a second thought. The reason, was purely because even the best laid plan cannot bare fruit without any information. Where the beast will come from and in what number, they weren't necessarily sure. Would it be bloodthirsty or cautious? "It's a little tight for time, but I can salvage this with the right tools-- If I'd had more time I could do a bit more." Lucia said rubbing her forehead clearly miffed about time constraints. Malefimancy's usefulness was in long but powerful rituals and magics, without time or prep-work it wouldn't be able to shine as brightly as she wanted.

Reaching down for the bound book at her side, the 'quest item' she tried to keep non-descript unbinding it with a few soft tugs. "I'm Lucia here, I'm still working on acquiring a title and class." Lucia explained, wanting to give a flashier introduction but she didn't yet possess the credentials. Even so though, Lucia talked while she worked, with a sharp hand gesture black fog billowed from the books pages as she perused wondering which formation to use. She didn't have enough time to set up her typical end all be all 5 layered formation. Instead she felt it better to build them one at a time to make sure there was something ready for the wolf when it arrived.

"Lets start with 'Exhaustion' to make it sluggish and slow-- Then, if I have time 'Debilitate' would be a good follow up to make sure it doesn't use anything special." Lucia mused aloud looking at her options. She hadn't yet had to focus on only singular formations, in a sense this was good practice as she began to make hand gestures at her book causing the black fog to spread creating the formation's lines little by little like bleeding billowing smoke. "When it comes though I'll stop laying them, the rotten arrows would be better then time consuming formations that just eat my energy." She explained her role to Minerva, also believing that Mary would likely do whatever she pleased regardless.

 

_____If the two had not been paying attention it was fairly clear what Mary would do. Her grin covering her face as she opened her menu and drew her weapon out arcing it across her hiding place and scaring the deer away. Even if this was not the wolf they had been after it would serve the same purpose to Mary, to aggravate the other wolves in the area. Leaping from the bush she would begin chasing after her pray with surprising speed, she had not picked rouge class for nothing after all.

_____She did not care if her fellow quest takers followed her or not, when she had pray on her mind she simply lost focus and chased. It was both a bad habit and a gift to focus purely on her pray. If the wolf chose to turn and face her she would simply stop and start a standoff unless it chose to attack her. It’s size meant nothing to her if not for the fact it would prove more exciting to fight and kill.

_____Her first action since the standoff would simply be to lower her frame and hold her weapon with both hands. What awaited her in the cover of the forest, how dangerous could her pray be, when would they start fighting? Each thought crossed her mind as she stayed at the ready. Wolves had a notorious pack mentality, so just one was rather odd. Weapon lightly touched ground and slowly began digging up some dirt, but she would not break focus from her enemy.
@Minerva Fletchgard | @Lucia Mierz

 

So, the woman's name was Lucia., or her character's name was anyway. The cat girl was just some wild card that was uncontrollable, and unadvisable. Lucia was much more competent. She was not someone who liked to follow, which would make her a constant source of conflict with Maya's plans for her new life. To be the focal point of a full story. Real world experience was something Maya lacked yet wanted but by using her book smarts she could get a one up over other people here in order to shine. However players like this would be her biggest problem. Maybe Maya's assumption was wrong. Perhaps she was just not a trusting sort of person. The chances of gaining that trust in this slowly forming bad situation would yet be seen.

Minerva shook her head and gestured towards the forest. Looking around with her analytical look.

"Well Lady Lucia... I am sorry you felt my solution was a poor. one. I would have to tell you that you should have waited and seen for yourself. Our third companion is not helping either, dropping bloody corpses about. Don't you think..."

She turned to her before continuing.

"This mission is too high ranked for a simple wolf hunt. We are going to...."

The sound of the wolf brought her words to a end. Turning her head quickly with her hand to her sword hilt. Minerva saw the blue eyes staring at them. Where was the cat? Minerva saw a hint of black tail surrounded by the trees and a cat ear wiggle. Good, she was close. Looking back to the wolf she would she was gone. Damn! Maya was somewhat nervous in real life now. If a wolf were to back away like that. Maybe it was a scout? Or a pack leader waiting for the rest of the pack to come and assist?

"I hope you are finished with spell because things are about to become much more hectic."

Minerva drew her sword and held it firmly in her left hand. Shifting her boots into the dirt to maintain balance if a wolf leapt straight at her from the cover of the trees.

"I did not want us to end up in a melee with a entire wolf pack. However now... we may have no choice. We can only hope it isn't a large one. Brace yourselves for battle!"

She wondered if she could get off a quick defensive buff before the attack. No, probably not at her level and with what could be a dozen wolves ready to pounce on them all at once...

@Lucia Mierz @Bloody Mary

 

However unfortunate, they were clashing for the same position and role, the call of spotlight and fame was something Lucia would never forgo or give up to anyone else. It was for these reasons she did research, plotted, planned, every conceivable thing she did was for the sake of success and popularity. Her desperate clawing was purely to force her ways from the shadows of obscurity and anonymity. While they were competing for the same role, as much as Minerva saw Lucia as a competitor, Lucia definitely didn't view her the same way for a variety of reasons. All in all, she felt her to be lacking as a main anything let alone the hero she desired to be. A much more apt vision Lucia saw Minerva as was as a red shirt, the disposable front man, the first one to charge out into battle that tests the monster's strength and probes their abilities but gets wiped out in a single blow to show them how powerful it really was.

Unfortunate, but this was the impression she was developing from this quest at least. Hearing Minerva out she couldn't help a somewhat bitter smile-- Wasn't that the reason she tried to stop them? It was exactly that reason that she said her plan was poor, it was for all of these reasons she felt that this girl's fantasy wasn't a threat to her. In the end though she was rather oblivious to a lot of those details, just letting people be people she focused on the threats rather then thinking through the reasons she felt safe with others.

"That's what I've been trying to say... A wolf isn't something so easy to take down. We just don't know enough about what we're after." She begrudgingly repeated. Her skill came from preparation, but she wasn't given a lot of time. The pair just set off into the woods thinking their target was in the bag already; truly Lucia was having a hard time controlling herself and not blowing up. She wasn't supposed to be baby sitting. The appearance of 'a wolf' though made Lucia's sigh heavier, her heart more burdened. She didn't have enough time to lay down all of her formations like she thought. "Almost." She murmured clearly bothered, she hadn't expected to be a bus driver in this quest, but if she had to, she would settle. "It's trying to separate us-- unfortunately it will succeed. Either we go with Mary and abandon my formation, or we stay within it and abandon her. The wolf or wolves will most likely strike the weakest first-- alternatively they could surround the strongest and deal with that as well. Really, you two have dragged us into a mess."

Lucia couldn't help complaining, it came from a place of frustration seeing others getting too in over their had and knowing she'd been dragged in trying to help. Fortunately though, her formation began to complete itself, she had one, but one would likely not be enough, she wanted more insurance. "I'll try an exhaustion formation next-- If we're lucky it'll complete before they strike at us." Lucia's tone contained a lot of the bitterness in her heart as she continued gesturing while watching her energy levels.

@Asch

 

_____Mary was officially annoyed with this wolf. Frame rose as she set her weapon to rest on her shoulder and she slowly followed it. Even if she was mostly driven by hunting and killing she was still a human with some rationality. So far this wolf was different from something that might have hinted a beast that needed other’s help for hunting. The smell of Iron was also a sign something was most clearly off. So she chose to simply follow the wolf with her guard and senses on alert for the time being.

_____Her killer intent was gone, her red eyes still seemed to be locked with the visible wolf as she followed just fast enough to stay within sight of the creature, yet not so close to be pounced on without it turning and entering a small sprint towards her. The other two would likely have a chance to catch up if they chose to follow, but Mary was in no rush or worry if such came to pass. Part of her wondered if she would need to share the reward if she was the only person who had actually did the quest.
@Minerva Fletchgard

 

The tension of the scenario was much higher than it should be. It actually would be better if the wolves would simply attack and be done with it. Perhaps that was the point. The wolf was playing with it's prey? Or leading those that were foolish into a trap? Was that even possible? Maya studied often in her endless spare time but admittingly only knew so much about wolf pack tactics. Then there was something else even stranger... the smell of metal? Maya would not let such a detail slip past her. The Felis was already following the wolf into wherever it was taking her. With Lucia sitting around making her formations. That left Minerva in the in between. Although that was a good position to try and figure out what was really going on... and then a thought came to her.

Lucia was certainly not afraid to state her feelings. Unlike Maya who hid all of her frustrations in a attempt to look valiant. The slightest of smiles crossed Minerva's face as she spoke to the complaining woman. If she was so concerned about everyone not following her ideas. Then let her be. More and more Maya settled on a decision. Following the wolf would be best.

"Regardless what has happened already. I think we should follow the wolf for now. It and the Felis have already left so staying here is not going to solve things. Also sticking together is better than us being apart Conserve your energy. Or stay and finish. It would be good to have someone on both sides of me."

Minerva headed off after the cat. Without getting too close. If the Felis was ambushed, Minerva could strike the attackers from the rear. If anything targeted her. She would have (hopefully) allies on both sides to strike in a pincher attack.

@Lucia Mierz @Asch

 

Lucia couldn't help a somewhat aggrieved sigh, the bitterness in her heart just wouldn't go away. She was babysitting! She was carrying newbs! The bus wouldn't bare the weight-- She felt the suspension crying out for help! "One who charges face first into the fog, and another who follows the blind-- How should I feel about this, I don't think my vocabulary is rich enough to describe this feeling." She admitted, her nature as an edgelord peeking through the cracks of her typically fabulous and sparkling character persona. Trying to sigh out her real self until it burned away into nothing though, she could only shake her head with extreme reservation.

"I don't suppose I have a choice." She sighed heavily with knit brows knowing that things were just getting harder and more difficult as time passed. Once would be fine though she reassured herself, abandoning them wouldn't be something she'd regret, she'd deal with whatever came even if she had to make some sacrifices. Alternatively though, if it happened a second time she thought with her brow still knit, she would have to 'fix' these two. Starting with Mary would be the most important, the girl who lacked any semblance of sense, grace or technique, fixing her would be the most important part. Then, glancing at Minerva's back, fixing that one would be a bit harder, her problems weren't so glaring and easy to snuff out... It would require more planning.

Without her formations though, she could only rely on her prepared hexes and curses, she was somewhat limited unless this pair would be able to buy time for her to build new ones again. "When we arrive, I'll need time to lay it down again, otherwise the support I can provide will be minimal at this level. I've not made it to a point where I can just throw curses and hexes wildly." She said with a heavy sigh knowing that her arrows were cursed with Rot for maximum damage... they weren't healthy to use around others though, a scratch would be very harmful no matter who they hit. "Just be careful of my arrows when they fly, won't be pretty." She murmured knowing that Rot would spread unrestrained.

@Asch @Minerva Fletchgard @Bloody Mary