Exploring Norforva (Jack, Amane)

Norforva had been bugging Amane lately. While she didn't regret leaving the previous time around — safety came first and foremost, after all — it still felt like a missed opportunity, the unexplored ancient ruins singing of hidden treasures that she'll probably never be able to uncover, now that she'd left it behind. So when opportunity presented itself, and her schedule cleared up for the foreseeable future, she'd eagerly sent a request to the guild chat, hoping that someone there would be willing to accompany her in an exploration to the desolate and corrupted area.

With luck, someone named Jack Stevens had replied with an affirmative, and so Amane paced from side to side at the border of southern end of Norforva, mildly impatient, waiting for her companion to arrive. If she wasn't wrong, Jack had registered himself as a crafter in the guild; not like it mattered much, they're job was just supposed to be exploration, no combat required. Other than that, however, she didn't think she knew anything about him. Honestly, she wasn't too worried about him turning out to be a douchebag or something along those lines — Aaron Steele was a pretty good guild leader, and she doubted that he'll let anyone into the guild who were disruptive or didn't pull their weight. Opening her message screen, she sent Jack her coordinates, along with a short note.

Amane Hirota

Hello! My name's Amane :) I'll be waiting at the coordinates <here>. Any particular place you want to explore, or will anywhere in Norforva do?

I look forward to working with you!

With that settled, the sorceress leaned against a rocky outcrop, content to twiddle her thumbs while anticipating Jack's arrival. The thrill of exploring an unknown region never got old, and while the beginners' areas have become more or less familiar to her, Norforva was still a blank slate, with a particularly intriguing history besides. Smile twitching at the corner of her lips, Amane couldn't wait to venture out.

OOC: @Jack Stevens

Thrown die:

68

 

Jack was old, and when a nice young lady decided that she'd take him along on a trip, that wasn't half bad. He didn't often get invited on missions, as often he's just too old. If it wasn't obvious, him using a wooden sword as a walking cane, would cement the deal. He was just an old guy who was going to enjoy his time out. He had decent clothing on, though nothing that'd stop any attacks. That would be far too much to ask for someone like Jack. He didn't venture out enough to waste the gold on such things.

He simply couldn't ponder if there was going to be another snake. He'd much rather there not be. Snakes are not great, not wonderful at all. Especially since he wasn't quite fit enough to handle them these days. That was just the facts of the matter, as sad or not as they were, it was a simple fact. That he was just too old to go out adventuring often.

However, once or twice he could manage. It was still worth adventuring. Losing that sense of wonder and whimsy was the main way to lose the fun aspect of these things. He'd arrive after a bit, soon enough finding a lady leaning against a rocky outcrop.

"Ah, Are you Amane? Sorry if I'm pronouncing that wrong, I'm a bit rusty with names with such an origin."

He rubbed the back of his head with his freehand and beamed a smile at Amane.

OOC: @Amane Hirota

Thrown die:

42

 

"Yep, I am she," Amane replied, grinning. She hadn't been expecting an old man, but it wasn't like it mattered — one could have lost all four limbs in the real world, and in Terra Sphere they would still be able to run as spry as if they'd retained every single one. Using a wooden sword as a walking stick might have been a comical sight, but the only thing that could majorly hold Jack back from combat in the game would be the masteries he chose, and if that were the case, and he'd made the conscious decision to go with a full crafting build, she'd sooner applaud him for those contributions towards the community than scorn him his inability to fight. All combat-specialised characters still needed gear, after all.

Giving a short bow of respect, Amane pushed herself off the outcrop, falling into step beside Jack, slowing down to match his pace if required. "You pronounced it fine," she assured. The ground stretched in front of them, littered with red, dry rocks, with sparse vegetation peaking and growing through the crevices, yellow and brittle leaves waving in the torrid wind. She'll admit that she was curious — the senior citizens back home didn't care much for technology, and to most of them games were largely a waste of time, so she was surprised that Jack decided to play Terra Sphere, of all games. "If you don't mind me asking, why did you pick TS up?" She asked, trying to make small talk as they ventured further into Norforva.

As they walked for a while, Amane spotted a cave opening flushed against a rock wall, it's entrance casted in shadow and almost hidden from view by rock ledges above it. "There's something here," she said, approaching it slowly. "I think it's a cave?" Now that she was closer, a musty smell wafted from within, but though dark the tunnel seemed pretty wide a few meters in, and shouldn't be too difficult to navigate. "I don't suppose you'll want to give exploring this a shot?"

OOC: @Jack Stevens

Thrown die:

6

 

He was walking with her as she spoke. He was happy he managed it good enough that he didn't butcher it. That was good. He walked with her, after she went about initiating the conversation. When she asked why he picked it up, a thoughtful look went upon his face.

"A few years ago, my dear sister was awfully sick and decided that I was the only one to be with. That was fine and dandy, i had the money to support her. Money was never a problem. In real life, I'm a multi-millionaire. I could pay for all her treatments out of pocket, and we spent a lot of time together. It was lovely and nice and I'd redo it if I could. Spending that year or so with her was the best time I've ever had.

Now, about two years ago, I was sitting by her as she died.It really crushed my heart, that day. She just flat-lined and there was nothing I could do. As you get old, I suppose you get that message loud and clear, that a lot of the time, there's nothing you could do in cases like that. It still broke my heart, and for the next two years, I donated a lot of money to cancer research.

She might have died, but I could at least use my funds to fund proper reaserch. Simply put, my heart was shattered, and until not long ago, I'd sit at home and do nothing.

Not long ago though. This game fell into my hands. Just like that, and I did a tiny bit of looking around, and found out what it was.

I joined up to distract myself and be less of a sorry old man, and be more of a guy people could talk to."

They arrvied, to a small cave that opened up. It wasn't too bad looking, so he looked at her.

"I wouldn't mind, but let's hope I don't get stuck."

Thrown die:

87

@Amane Hirota

 

"I'm sure you'll be fine," Amane said as she stepped within the cave, the four walls immediately engulfing her in darkness as the sun was blocked out, faint grey shadows all that remained of the light that filtered in faintly. "If the going gets rough later on, we'll turn back. We're not supposed to do anything dangerous, nor go anywhere risky, since this area is still largely a big unknown." The last time she'd been here, she and Beatle had left pretty quickly too, not wanting to push their luck in a hostile region. Now caution was especially paramount, since Jack specialised not in combat but crafting, and any form of danger they met would likely pose a huge risk to the both of them. Amane too wasn't specced for solo play — her spells having long casting times left her requiring the support of a melee user, more often than not.

With a quick chant, Amane created a orb of light, the sphere hovering a few meters above them, casting light on the path in front of them. As the two of them walked in silence, she found herself thinking on Jack's previous words. They had been interrupted by the discovery of the cave entrance, and so she hadn't had a chance to respond yet. His story was...she didn't have a word for it. "Sad" didn't encapsulate the leaden weight that felt tied around her own heart, a crushing sorrow mixed with sympathy for the old man's grief. When she asked her question, she really hadn't expected such an answer. "I'm sorry," she said at last, looking downwards, before raising her gaze to try and meet Jack's eyes, wanting to convey her sincerity. "I have an older brother, and very few things in this world would hurt more than losing him, so I understand. I think it's very admirable of you though, to donate to cancer research, and to join this game after everything." In fact, she was a bit ashamed. By coming to America she had essentially ditched her brother back home, and though they still communicated over the distance, she knew it wasn't the same as being there with him. All because she had bemoaned her privilege. When the uni year ended, perhaps she should go back, and spend the whole holidays with them. Put Terra Sphere on hold for those few months.

Suddenly, the temperature around them seemed to plummet, and Amane halted, peering into the darkness beyond, trying to make out whatever had caused slight goosebumps to creep up her arms. She could barely see the outline of stone statures, or pillars, perhaps. Effigies? Some kind of ruins, she thought, though honestly it could be anything — the shadows obstructing the objects meant that little could be seen. "What do you think that is?" She asked Jack, gesturing towards it.

OOC: @Jack Stevens

Thrown die:

12

 

The old man nodded to the older brother comment, having taken a more somber demeanor after having told his story. They walked into the cave a bit and saw a weird alter type of thing and he wasn't quite sure. He was sure that this was probably a place where dark magic was a thing. That was just one of the facts of the whole things. The dark and scary cave was usually something. It was something that reminded him of some of the anime that he watched.

Gah.

What was it?

Jimjam's Bizzare Adventure?

He wasn't entirely sure the actual title, but he really hoped that that wasn't the case. If it were the case, both him and Amane with swiftly go down.

"I'm no expert, but I'm guessing there's some dark magic here. Perhaps dormant? Either that or attempted dark magic, and I don't particularly want to stick around to find out."

Thrown die:

22

@evilandlazy

Jack: 151

Amane: 86