Hikoru peered at the quest board for awhile. They were meant for beginners, which at this point he agreed to himself that he was. While he may have been alright at VR, this game was something of a whole 'nother spectrum to what he was used to. Things were much smoother, he had much better control over his avatar and things were made much better in it's entirety. He had no clue why this game was illegal, but he was sure that with due time he would figure it out. He finally decided to go with the easiest looking one out of the bunch, and the NPC next to him gave him a bit of dialogue to go along with it. He scratched his chin and nodded, listening intently to the NPC to make sure that he got all the info he could. Afterwards he walked away, still astounded by the architecture of the game and the design they decided to go with. He was never big into architecture, but he loved to see how creative game creators could be, and he enjoyed looking at every detail he could. But in his own world, he ran into someone, causing him to stumble and fall back onto his behind. Wincing a bit and feeling a bit stupid, he stood up and brushed himself off "Sorry about that, wasn't really looking where I was going." He said abruptly, checking his stats but seeing as they were full and alright. A bit of dust had gotten into his eyes and he rubbed them, trying to make out who he had bumped into. @Portia Ahrens
These days, she only came to Brisshal when she looked to escape. When she looked for an empty space in the forest and practiced her magical gifts as if that'd help her bring them to life. The unsatisfied look on her porcelain features, added to the light layer of dust covering her equipment, were enough clues to tell where the story had ended. A couple of destroyed trees and branches were also witnesses to the tale of her failure. Portia opted to switch back to her melee combat style, equipping her trusty gauntlets once again as she made the floating runestone disappear into the infinity of her inventory with a belated sigh. The days in which she failed, the days in which her magic bit back at her weren't exactly the nicest of the bunch. But as she poked around in her palm menu, managed her health meters and switched settings, a stranger collided with her side. The white-haired woman stumbled back a few steps, but was quick enough to regain her footing with ease. The one who walked into her, though, wasn't as lucky. ''It's alright...'' She brought a hand to her face and wiped a metallic hand over her eyes to brush the dust away from her field of vision, waiting for a few moments before she opened her eyes to see a male standing in front of her. Any other time, she would've scolded them for their own lack of carefulness in their steps. However, when she saw his lack of equipment and the direction he was coming from, Portia recognized the first few signals of a new player of Terrasphere. ''First timer, huh? Are you okay?''
Hikoru rubbed the dust out of his eyes as he looked at the person who he was unlucky enough to bump into, and felt a small blush form as it seemed to be a young lady. The age of her couldn't be identified, as it's hard to tell in a game where you can change your age and height completely, so he didn't know what to do. She looked him over a bit, and he looked down to see nothing but his basic black clothing he had chosen, when she asked if he was a "First Timer." He thought for a moment, and realized that she meant it was his first time logging into the game, in which he shook his head silently, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly with a awkward chuckle following suit. "Y-yeah... Going to try one of these beginner quests, but i'm completely lost..." He sighed, as he knew that he probably sounded petty, but he knew that a more experienced player could help him get his footing on this game. He looked down, avoiding eye contact and coughed a bit. "W-well, I suppose I should get going then, sorry to bother you like that..." He started to walk past quietly. He wasn't the best with small talk, neither in real life or to a girl, and it truly showed right in that moment, and a small blush formed on his cheeks as he kept his head down, doing his best to hide the crimson-red cheeks on his pale skin and dark hair. "Stupid..." He simply muttered to himself, knowing that he was supposed to be good at talking to people, it was something he had done in his time at High School during his debate classes. He could easily talk about a topic, persuade people to like his side and believe what he was saying, but he couldn't do an actual conversation with anyone that he wasn't trying to debate with. He sighed and started to look around, still entirely lost and it clearly showing as he scratched his head, staring at signs and stores, trying to figure out where he needed to be.
Portia cocked her head to a side and blinked quite a few times in rapid succession as she took in the sight of the person who fell to the ground, confusion blooming on her as the other greeted her with a display of pink spread across his cheeks. Was he embarrassed? It had only been a minimal accident that could've happened with any NPC on the game, and she would know, it had happened to her too many times before. There was nothing to be concerned about except for his own well-being. She was about ready to offer him a helping hand in trying to get him off the floor, but before she could start the motion, he was already standing and muttering his goodbyes to the lady. No sooner had he taken a few steps forward, though, his steps came to a halt and a sigh escaped her parted lips. ''Please, be my guest. I was told the wolves in the forest which is in the direction you are heading... Are lonely.'' The words which came out of her mouth were filled with the same confidence she hadn't felt during her arcane training, making the young woman chuckle in the spot as she took a step to the side and watched the stranger walk away from her. The crystals in her gauntlets cracked upon contact with one another as she folded her arms over her chest, a playful grin plastered across her face as she pointed out the information he lacked. ''Unless you are one of the sort who's got Beast Taming as one of their masteries, I wouldn't try being friends with them... Not this soon into the game, I mean.'' ''However, if you would like instructions where to go and who to talk to... I can't say there are any pressing matters that need my undivided attention.'' Her position shifted again, and this time she rested one of her hands on her hips while the other was extended to the new player, as if expecting him to give her something.
Hikoru stopped in his tracks as the woman said he was heading for a wolves den. He looked nearby and noticed that he was starting to head out of town, but no other markings to tell where they were. A small blush formed as he looked down again, feeling embarrassed for his stupidity and turned around as she offered her assistance. He had always been a loner, and wanted to try and get through this, but he knew that as lost as he was right now, he wouldn't survive long or even get strong enough to do it. He sucked up his bride and walked back, his tail between his legs as she held her hand out. He looked at the hand for awhile, unsure of what it was. Did she... want a handshake? Want him to give something? His brain was a bit confused at the reaction. Was this a new slang thing the kids at high school did that he missed? He realized he probably looked really stupid and just gave a nod "Uh... Yes, please, if you have the time. I could use the help..." He said awkwardly. He bowed politely, then stood. "My names..." He took a minute to remember "Hikoru. Thanks for your help." After that, he looked at the info he had mentally written down, and realized that he needed to go to a tea shop. He tried to remember the name, but it couldn't come to mind. "Can you... take me to the tea shop? I have to... check tea leaves for someone." he chuckled a little, trying to hide his insecurity as to what the heck he was doing. "I thought it would be simple and I could easily talk my way through it, but I have no idea where it is or how to even activate the quest..."
''Your quest marker?'' Her extended hand stayed mid-air while she brought the other one up as well, giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go to bring the game's menu and materializing a piece of paper on it. All it took for the item to appear on her hand were few swipes and pokes of her fingers on the UI, nothing too complicated but certainly something a new player would have trouble understanding. Her warning had worked, and when his voice graced her ears once again, the woman decided to return the introduction with one of her own. ''Portia Ahrens,'' she mused her name out loud for her acquaintance to hear, casting a subtle glance over her shoulder as if to judge his reaction to the world around him. Wordlessly, and with a swift motion of her armored hand that instructed him to follow, she started to move towards the tea shop he had mentioned before, offering a slight bit of information to get the player started on the game. ''I haven't been here for long either, but explosions and melee fights are my specialties if you ever have need of it. Having fun yet?'' As the pair walked, she would occasionally point out the interesting stores with the NPCs that acted as vendors, explaining what they sold and what masteries would benefit from the items. Some could see it as a courtesy given to Hikoru to follow the never-ending tradition of old players aiding the newer ones, but there was one specific condition behind her words that changed the meaning of her words and the intention behind them entirely. ''You should be alright if you follow all the instructions I gave you but... I wouldn't explore the western part of the map. Trust me on this, you need to become stronger first.'' There was an odd feeling to the tone in which those words had been pronounced, something less welcoming, less than any cheerful piece of advice she had offered him so far. It wasn't a threat, but it was another warning for him not to face unknown dangers on his own, not when this particular foe had managed to wipe entire cities by itself. Eventually, she exhaled and allowed the thoughts to fade back into the back of her mind, letting her footsteps come to a halt in front of the tea shop he required for his quest. ''Here we are, Hikoru.''
Hikoru looked above his head as she explained that there was a quest marker. He sighed as she was right, a small but sleek in design arrow was above him, pointing to where she was walking. He felt like an idiot, and realized that he wasn't the only one with this, but the feeling still stayed. He watched as she used her finger in midair, and he tried to attempt it, but nothing really happened. He was confused, but decided to question later. He heard the woman say her player name, and he made a mental note of it for later. She asked him if he was having fun yet, and he scratched the back of his neck "Sorta... It's been difficult for me to get any work done I had planned, since I get lost a lot... But, with the info you've given me, I can start to at least understand the mechanics of the game and get better, it'll just take me some time." He said with a small laugh. Shortly thereafter, she told him to avoid the western side of the world right now, until he was stronger. He raised an eyebrow in question. He hadn't heard about anything bad on the western side of the world, and he was a bit confused as to what she meant. He was about to question him, when she showed him that they had made it. He looked and saw the sign, and sure enough it was where they needed to go. He nodded and gave a small smile "Thank you Portia, this should only take a bit. If you want to stick around, I don't see it as a problem, but if you have other things to do, i'm sure it's better than me watching a man make tea." He said with an awkward laugh. He then made his way in, where an NPC greeted him. "Welcome young traveller, pleasure to see you! What would it be?" Hikoru sat down nearby and got comfortable, to act as a normal customer would. Hikoru thought for a moment, then remembered the name of the tea "Some Green Tea, with Esulian leaves if you can, I'm trying to keep my skin good for the ladies, if you understand." He chuckled, donning a fake persona for a few moments. The man just gave a laugh as he started to prepare the tea, Hikoru's eyes never leaving his hands or any of the ingredients he saw available at the time
''Of course the first thing I would try out in this kind of game would be tea...'' Portia settled her weight against one of the shop's windows as she looked at her companion, offering him a shrug as he stepped inside with a confidence she had never seen him display in the short amount of time they've known each other. The rest of the words, she simply mumbled underneath her breath as she waited for his quest to be over, whatever it was. ''It's not like there is a limitless world out there waiting for us to discover its non-existent limits and everything.'' ''I wouldn't get so eager now if I was in your shoes. Are we talking about that lady waiting outside?'' Quilliam stepped over to the counter as he confronted his one customer, bearing a welcoming smile on his lips and his two cents on the situation at hand. If there was anything the citizens knew him for, it was his unmatchable charisma and practical knowledge of herbal medicines, a skill which he had employed ever since his business first opened. From medicines to common beverages, the man knew it all. ''Boy... I would buy some armor and watch my tongue before trying anything.'' ''Esuilian, you said?'' However, with the judging look he received from the male staring right at him with no discernible intent to engage in further conversation, he turned on his heels and marched right back to his station. A chuckle left him as he worked in the hot drink for the adventurer, dropping a few more hints as to what had happened recently to make its popularity rise as it never had before. ''We've had more nobles these days... All worried about their looks, gowns, balls, and territories. They don't have time to worry about the villages' needs, no, they simply fawn over their appearances every morning, and are praised in return.'' His back prevented Hikoru from properly observing what he did for a living, allowing for the man to do a little trick of hand with the leaves he dropped into the drink if he so wished. After all, when there was a market in which everyone aspired to rise due to current circumstances, all methods of survival could be accepted as long as they weren't found out, right? But there wasn't anyone present in the room who could say whether the man was hiding a secret inside his shop or not, and the only secrets he would allow the boy to tell from the moment he left the shop, would be those of how much of a delicious drink he had been served. That, and the few hints of the remnants of what once was a strange-colored leaf at the bottom of the cup. ''Here you go, lad. It will be... 50 pieces of gold, yes?''
Hikoru just gave an eyebrow as the man talked about the girl he had come with, Portia. He made a mental note, as he really didn't want to try anything, but his cocky persona would want to. So he just gave a laugh. "One day i'll get her, it'll just take time." He joked. Then he asked about the tea leaf he had specifically asked for, and he gave a nod. It's what he was after. The man went to his station and started to talk about the nobles coming, and he gave a surprised look any idiotic person new to the area wouldn't know. Although, the quest gave him enough information to suspect something like this happening. He just gave a whistle. "Makes sense as to why I heard a lot about your store on my way here. I'm sure you've made a pretty penny selling it to the royals..." He spoke, but he made mental note of how he turned his back, and the specific leaves and spices he was reaching for. He came up to the place he was making it as the tea was done, and he looked at the rack. He made note of what was in it, and he took the tea, looking at the bottom "Looks good, so I hope it's worth the price." He said as he was about to drink it, but stopped when his lips touched the rim of the glass, then pulled away. "Although, it is a bit weird that you used Sencha leaves along with Camellia Senesis Senesis... When I asked for Esuilain." He said scratching his chin. "Although, the combo does give off the flavor of Esulian, the effects are non-existant." He set down the glass, and poured it over the counter, to expose the leaves as they were. "Separate they are very easy to discern from one another, so it was a nice trick to put them together to try and make a pretty penny." He stood, and pulled out a paper he had written while they had been walking to their destination. It made as a makeshift warrant with a fake signature and everything. "I'm afraid i'm going to have to report you, for fraud and lying to royals. I am to take every piece of gold that you have gathered from the royals and from customers, then take it to the royals themselves." His eyes turned into a glare. "Now, the gold." He said, pulling out a sack and throwing it at the man. Once it was filled, he took it and notioned for Portia to follow him as he left. He then waited outside the door, and his persona melted away as he let out a deep sigh. "There, got some free gold and now to report to the royals..." He looked with an awkward smile. "Please don't take to heart what I said about you, it was just something to hide who I was and seem innocent, like I wasn't there for an intent to expose anyone..." He slung the gold over his shoulder, the looked at the quest marker, which lead him to a building just across the way. "Well there's where the quest ends. Now..." He looked at the lady. "Do you want to split the gold, or actually give it to the royals?" He said with a sly smile.
The strange look on Portia's face upon turning to eavesdrop on the conversation between Hikoru and the tea shop owner didn't give away all the details anyone needed to know to correctly decipher what she felt at the moment. It was a mix of emotions she hadn't expressed before, finding parts of awkwardness and confusion dawning on her when the male spoke of ''getting her''. Clearly, the quest in which he was involved wouldn't request from the player. However, and as much as she tried to fight it, there was a small blush that blossomed to life on the high point of her cheeks. As the tea shop owner was forced to pour his savings on this stranger adventurer's bag, a few whispered threats fell from his lips faster than anyone would've ever realized. How could a youngster, no more capable than the bragging nobles that ruled over their village, have seen through his farse? It was a question he didn't want to answer, and he was about to reach for a knife and end this little show once and for all. But the man was intelligent. The man was able to tell the girl standing behind the male who made all the talk would open her mouth or stop him from harming her companion if he tried something. He was already in a lot of trouble for what he had done, to trouble the nobles any longer would surely mean a death sentence. He didn't have time for that... He didn't have time for anything. And so, without any forewarning, he simply let them go. ''Sounds like shattered dreams and a purse that is about to go empty. What would you think of that?'' The woman mused the question that trickled from her lips with the same curiosity the boy must've felt upon first logging in, freeing a sigh she might've held on the inside for who knows how long. Occasionally, she threw glances directed at the sack of gold her companion kept slung over his shoulder, humming a tranquil tone to go along with their steps as they exited the shop. Normally, when one entered with the expectation to buy something, they came out a little poorer than they had entered. But, as they crossed the threshold and the midday sun greeted them, she had to recognize they did leave much, much richer than they have arrived. ''Come, I'll accompany you unless there are more ladies you need to charm in our way there.'' With a nudge with her elbow and a slight wave of her hand, she motioned to the man to follow her as she marched a few steps ahead of him. His apologies about what he had said in order to maintain a cool facade had truly worked, the gold was a testament to the efficiency of his method, yet she somehow managed to find it entertaining enough. Maybe because it reminded her of herself. Maybe because it was about something else. Something she wouldn't dream of telling him about. ''Save your money. The Royals are already drowning themselves in it, with or without our help.'' Stealing from the wicked was a sure way to stay entertained and forget one's troubles.
