Quest - Dead Silence

Looking at the quest board with a sigh Rias was scanning all the available ones at the time wondering which one she should start since she was still a new player and going straight in the battle field without any experience would probably bring loads of troubles to the other party members if she would pair up with anyone. Not wanting to seem like a looser she choose the ones that were mostly help-the-town based and at the same time she thought it would be a good idea to get to meet new players and ask around a little bit about the game and maybe some newbie tips.
"Hmm...the names are creative at least." Muttering she found herself staring at one title that stood out the most. Dead Silence . Reading the details about it she found the quest rather amusing and adventurous. Just what she was looking for! Maybe there's going to be something interesting to discover and learn about the place, get familiar with the history of the town and its villagers(?).

Heading to the location that was now marked on her map Rias was coming towards the tavern where supposedly the man was awaiting for players to hand them the quest. Hoping she wasn't going to be the only one to join, the female placed her hands onto the heavy, wooden doors and opened them quietly as the music from inside started echoing in her ears, it was a very relaxing guitar song that matched the dim interior and the faded voices from the people sat on the tables and each having their own conversations. They all looked like some kind of adventurers because of their leather like clothing and dirty image but she soon saw the man who was explaining his tale, her eyes widened in surprise and she walked closer to the crowd of people to listen to his story.

 

Saya decided that the best way to get started was to undertake one of those beginner quests. Looking up the lists of quests available on the board, she’d opted to pick the one that not only looked the more interesting, but it also had to sound interesting as well. The one that stood out to her the most, and her pick of the bunch was a quest effectively titled Dead Silence. It was about a forest that was eerily quiet, totally silent without the usual calls of birds and animals.

It was as though someone had placed a mute button in the forest, silencing all sounds within. Apparently, someone who had been in the forests had spoken about ghosts and spirits, citing those as the possible cause of the dead silence that now plagued that particular forests. No one believed that man of course, as those that believed in superstitious matters such as ghosts were few and far in between, and all the man got jeers and mocking as they teased him about it.

Accepting the quest through her interface, Saya looked for the quest giver’s location on the map and pinpointed the location as she created a waypoint of her own and began making her way there. As she began to approach the tavern in which the guy mentioned in the quest was supposed to be in, she glanced once more at her map to confirm that she was indeed at the right place. With that particular piece of fact confirmed, she placed her hands on the thick wooden doors and pushed her way into the establishment.

Tavern music began to drift into her ears along with the sounds of hearty chatter and the clinking of cups and cheers. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dim lighting of the interior and she swept her gaze around as she began looking for the quest giver in question. She eventually found the man huddled in one corner, sitting alone with a mug of ale in front of him and he stared blankly into the air. Approaching the man, Saya took a seat and made her greeting.

“Hi, I’m here for the quest. I’m going to the forest to investigate your claims. Has anyone else expressed interest yet?”

@Rias

 

The man looked up at the girl that approached him once she spoke and stayed silent for a bit as if regaining his consciousness before he would turn his eyes towards the counter where Rias was standing and ordering a meal. She was rather fascinated with his story when he was explaining it to everyone in the tavern so he figured that she was willing to join the quest.
"Yes. This adventurer over the counter, she seems like she would like to join as well." He spoke slow and clear pointing at her with his eyes before taking a drink from his mug as Rias started to walk closer to the table holding a piece of sweet bread in her hand and another piece of apple in her mouth.
"I am surprised to be honest...never expected such interest from the female sex considering how scary and dangerous this adventure would be. Are you both sure you want to do this...? I know that not many people believe me and despite being rather revealed that someone did...I am concerned about your lifes." Looking at the two players that were now stood in front of him he allowed a worried expression take over his face and awaited for a reply. The matter was serious. He didn't know if he was sending them to straight death or if they were already experienced with stuff like these.

Rias on the other hand took a few minutes to progress what he meant since she just joined the conversation but apparently they had a new party member! Smiling for a second she looked at the girl and then parted her lips before speaking up for herself.
"Well...I want to know whether the story you're telling us is true or not! Spending a night there won't be that bad...I've slept over in weird places many times already so I am sure a forest is just a piece of cake~" said the newbie who didn't even have a weapon or knew anything about the game. She was also really excited to introduce herself to the new person but for now decided it would be good to discuss the matter that has already started.

 

The quest giver answered her, pointing out the answer to her question. Saya looked towards to the counter, indicating the other female adventurer there, the only other soul so far that was interested enough to take the investigation of the quest under their belt. She gave a nod as she registered the other individual. It was good to know that she would not have to do this quest alone.

As her first quest, she’d prefer to have someone else alongside so in the event that something did went wrong, she could at least have some form of help or assistance. The man then remarked about how surprised he was that the only two adventurers interested enough to believe his words about the haunted forest were both female. Did he think that they could not do it? “I assure you that ghosts and spirits do not frightened me.You need not worry for me on that part. I can’t speak for the other individual, but I assume they are not afraid of such as well.”

She may not have much in the way of experience when it came to matters of the spiritual nature, but that also means that she does know enough to be frightened of such. Pros and cons of it all, she guessed.

The assumption she made was answered soon enough as the other girl answered that she too had no problems with spending the night investigation the strange problems about the forest. Saya walked over from the position in front of the quest giver to the spot in beside her new-would-be-companion for the quest at the bar. “Hey there! I’m Saya. I’ll be your companion as we head towards that spooky haunted forest. Looks like it’ll just be us two then!”

 

Rias was listening to the other girls words and ended up nodding to the quest giver as a sign of agreement with Sayas words. Indeed both of them weren't scared of ghosts and spirits and knowing that made Rias feel even more confident about their adventure as she placed both hands on her hips and turned her head to the other player the moment they approached her.
"Hiya~ I am Rias! It's a pleasure meeting you and a pleasure doing this quest with a brave individual like you!" Her voice cheerful and kind as she reached her hand out and awaited for a handshake, usually she would offer a hug but considering the fact that they don't know each other that well she wasn't planning to annoy anyone on the first day/meeting.

The old man was sat on his chair letting out a gentle sign before clearing his throat in attempt to get the girls attention.
"I see you already decided for yourself that you are going for this quest then. I suppose I can't change your minds at this stage of excitement..." his eyes would examine the two and show a worried expression trying to think of a way to help them because, of course, he wasn't going to go with them to the forest and visit that frightening place again which now hunts his nightmares. "I will let you get my two horses to the forest then. They are brave so backing out won't be an option for them, if you also stay confident they will feel it and become stronger. I also put some food in the backpacks which you will find hanging from the seatbelts..." he gestured with his hand the exit and allowed the two females go first to bring them to his horses.

Rias would follow his movement and happily go outside as she wondered for a second if Saya was a real player or another games program...what if indeed nobody went on the quest and the game programmed a person to help because it was a dangerous quest? Her eyes looked towards the blue haired girl staring unintentionally as the thoughts occused her mind.