Open - Caves, Crawlin', and the Things that Crawl in 'Em

The "long walk back", as Admiral had put it, was no more than a few fistfuls of minutes. Not a long stretch at all; especially not for someone who spent the majority of their time walking! So far, Akino had walked across about half the playable map, if his mental track was on point. And the journey never stopped, especially not now of all times. Truth was, he was finally feeling some adventure flowing through them veins! It called to him like a maiden's song falling down from the cliffs, or the whispers of the stars that draped across the sky. And by gosh did it show in him, with the way he practically skipped along every step back towards civilization. You've never seen someone so overjoyed with the prospect of racing back across the dusty badlands, feeling the sun beat down on them through the day of travel, only to go diving into a dank, dark series of caves and twisted tunnels. Not just any caves though! Infested caves! And not infested with just any bug! It was infested with just anything! Bugs! Giant bugs, no less! Multi-legged, massive-scale, monstrous arthropods! And maybe some treasure? Nah, most likely just a whole mess of big ol' buggers! It was going to be a cave-dive of epic proportions! One that would be worth singing about for a few months, at least! Hence his musical companion, whom he plodded along with as he imagined the grave dangers and thrills that lay ahead. Oh what joy!

As they moved across the open fields of dust and horror, Akino was content to hum songs and hop up onto stones, keeping himself occupied. Once in a while they'd even come across an old, typically dead, tree! Which the young man would scale eagerly, or swing from one of its dead limbs, or even take a branch that had fallen from the ground and begin to walk with it, as if it were a staff of some form or another. There was seemingly no end to his excitement and energy. It did not fade, it did not taper, it was unstoppable. On and on, like a fire dancing across the dry landscape, setting it ablaze with calls and whistles, a veritable one-man cacophony. He wondered, for a brief moment, if the Admiral found all of this annoying. And then he realized that he did not care! Spinning about on one leg as if it were a pole, he faces Admiral with a fierce look in his eyes, and a determined grin.

"How many people do ya think we'll need for the party? I say that if we can get just one more person, at the very least, our success is sealed. I mean, from what I have gauged so far through the few combat experiences I've seen, even experienced, I'm not too bad in a fight. And if we get a tank or someone else who can really hold down the attention of the critters, we can smash-and-bash our way through them in no time. That's assuming they aren't all bigger than a horse, or even a rhinoceros. Actually, going off the depth of the tracks they left in their wake, they might be heavier than one! And those legs would be very powerful, considering what they did to that cliff wall... Maybe we'd be better off with four? Not to say I wouldn't take a whack at it with three." Grinning and turning about once more, he continued his march, allowing his bard friend to chew on what he said. And then picked up whistling a tune so cheerful you'd think he had just found a bag full of puppies and rainbows. Nope, just the next best thing!

Shortly there after, on the border of Norfova, they arrived at a small town filled with dust-dried shacks of wood, maybe even a few structures of sturdier clay or sandstone. Akino wasn't paying attention to the architecture so much, he was more focused on the sounds drifting on out of the largest, brightest structure in the whole stone's throw of a town. Probably the bar, tavern, or whatever name they gave the libations-center in this place. Blowing on out like a refreshing wind and greeting them at the doorway was what you'd expect. Music, laughter, and the over all rowdy din of merry making! Turning to the Admiral and inclining his head towards the place, he arched a brow with a silent inquiry. It didn't look like much, and it was surely populated with mainly NPCs, but there was a chance they would find their next companion within. Better still, it was a place to stop for something to drink, while also getting a chance to plan out their next move without sun, wind or even dust on the back of their necks. Still he waited, letting the Admiral decide whether or not they'd enter. For all Akino cared, they could just sit their and wait for someone to come along, as long as they eventually went back the way they came.

@The Admiral

 

The town that Akino took them to was not far from the caves, and upon arrival the Admiral gladly sank into a seat at the tavern and kicked off his digital boots, sighing with relief. It would be dawn soon, because they had spent the night searching the wilderness and then trekked all the way back here... and if he didn't log out of his own volition soon, the system would shut out his character for five hours and make it rest. Stupid safety measures. He listened to Akino's inquiries and nodded, stretching his arms with a yawn.

"Well first off, I am a tank, so we don't need to go looking for more of that. I know the singing might be misleading but I don't have any muse or magic skills; I use blunt objects to make wall-art with someone's brains. We need a healer for sure. And a ranged fighter would normally balance things out, but for this I think we need somebody more... versatile in a cave system. Maybe another DPS melee, or a caster that knows some offensive spells or buffs. I'm about to be force-logged so we should take a break to plan and rest, and tackle it tomorrow... well, today. Send some invites out to players and tell them to meet us here. Go to the town store and buy some torches maybe, and rope, and chalk, so we can mark where we go and see what we're doing."

Yawning again, he popped open his menu and sent Akino a friend request.

"I'm going to go hay the hit as it were. I'll be on again in... Call it twelve hours, so I can take care of some IRL business and get a good idea of what we're really doing here, then send out party invites for people that want to dive in with us. Later, Kino."

If it wasn't immediately clear from when he began talking, the persona of The Admiral was no longer a force that Akino might have to defend himself against. Whoever played the character had apparently dropped the act to speak directly and humanly with him for the first time since they had met, and then with a wave of the Admiral's arm, logged out and left the chair vacant within the tavern.

• OOC: We plan to dungeon dive into some caves to fight large bugs. This is not a quest or challenge that actually nets meta rewards; it is merely for the RP and flavor of it. We can discuss in Discord how we intend to move forward with it, or just go ahead and free-form wing it; whichever the majority prefers. This will be a 4-5 person adventure and could be excellent experience and practice for newcomers.

 

Or at least, left the chair vacant for almost a minute, anyway, as Mahlthor swaggers over to the two clearly-not-NPCs in the tavern and plops himself in the seat. A heavy bottom glass of a dark, digital liquid cracks as it hits the bartop, threatening to rise up over the circular rim of the vessel. The muscular man kicks back a throatful of the stuff before addressing the newcomer.

"Well, looks like I'm not the only one at this tavern any more, eh?" he says with a grin to Akino. "Found this place just a little while back, hadn't yet seen any other players in. Unless they are just good at disguising themselves as NPCs, anyway." He adds with a chuckle.

A moment's pause as he takes in the tavern. Off to one side is the tavern bard, singing away as a few red-nosed patrons laugh and make merry attempting to sing along-side him. Behind the bartop, a large man idly cleans a mug, his eyes watching the tavern for any trouble. A barmaid, with the appropriate garb, glides between tables, making her way toward the new visitor. Mahlthor nods to the barmaid.

"Have you filled your food level recently. Errr... I guess I should say, have you eaten." another chuckle. "Still getting used to staying in character."

 

Shocked. He was just absolutely shocked with the Admiral, though he couldn't say he was displeased! The man was so dedicated to the boisterous persona, so in tune with his desire to annoy the ever-living heck out of everyone, that the Akino was positive he'd never see the deeper crevices of the person that lay behind the character. To the peace-filled fighter, who played himself word-for-word and never performed a task he would not carry out in reality, this was not something he often considered. To him, this was not "a simple game", but another dimension, crafted by artisans with minds for beauty. As God would have it, he was simply going about as himself under an alias, Akino Kokoro Ame, for reasons far more important to him than playing a game. Of course, when it came to spreading peace and happiness, it was a matter of duty to the man. It was not a grave duty, but a simple one, that was as easily fulfilled as sharing a smile with a stranger! Even so, it was just as important to him as a mission of vengeance might be to one who has lost their way. And as someone who did not go on acting in character, he often forgot people where playing characters at all!

None-the-less, it was a cheerful moment for Akino when he realized he had made a true connection with whoever it was that lay behind the Admiral! Practically purring with happiness, the felis' tail flicked about the base of his seat while he accepted the invite, in time to return his new friend's wave with a smile and nod of his own. And then his smile grew as another sat across from his table. The tasks Admiral had given him would have to wait! Now, some might have found it rude for him to take the seat without being invited, let alone to move into the place of one who had just been. And truly the last bit just may have appeared awkward in some way. But clearly this was not the case with the redheaded young man, who's fierce markings danced along his features in the light, as lively as a serpent in the sands. With his offer of a toothy grin, he quite literally emanated a one word mantra.

"Welcome!" Akino echoed the mantra aloud, his whole five foot and seven inch frame shooting upright with excitement at finding some friendly soul so quickly. In a deft response, there was a polite calling for drinks for him to share with the new company. As they waited for the drinks, he listened to the blond's words with cat's eyes of gold that studied him intently. The Blond, or Mahlthor Oakenheart, as his identification read, was a well-built looking warrior who carried the same mystical presence most mages did. The energy about him though, it was not common, and his mention of the meter evoked a short laugh from Akino as he took a silent guess that the fellow was not used to playing games. The phrase was spoken with the mechanical tone of someone who had read it a couple times over, but had not felt it become a natural part of their experience.

The drinks were placed were placed on the table between them before Akino could voice a thought. A tankard of liquid dark as the wood, for Oakenheart, and a pot of freshly brewed tea, with ginseng and honey, and two cups. In case his new friend loved tea as much as he did. As if that were possible. Placing a few gold pieces down on the edge, one could carry them in physical form for a number of reasons, and sliding them the maiden's way with a thank you, the young man offered a smile just as warm as the one given to Oakenheart. He looked into bright eyes as the woman took the gold and slipped it away, her lips curled into a very human smile as she offered her own, gentle thanks, before returning to her duties. Akino did not watch her as she left them, but faced Mahlthor once more.

"I haven't eaten yet, no. Me and my friend, you might have seen him a moment ago, have been walking throughout the night and day. He doesn't really enjoy walking, so far as I can tell, but I make him do it anyway. Only real way to learn the land, they say. And I'm led to believe 'em. After all, it brought us here. Don't worry though, I'm never in character. Name's Akino, have a drink. You want some food? They serve anything good here?" A dang friendly greeting, for sure. And something in the Godly man's gut was telling him they didn't come across this place by chance; the same gut was telling him their search for a companion was going to be brief. Still, best to get a feeling for the Blond before throwing him an invite, eh?

@Mahlthor Oakenheart @The Admiral

 

It was a matter of pride for Sera, and one which she did a rather decent job of keeping up with. Every time she entered a tavern or a bar, by the time she had left she had entered at least one drinking competition, typically with another girl. Her latest competition had been with a girl who had a tolerance to match her own. The two had elected to call it a draw, mainly because they were being threatened with being cut off after they both flirted with the barmaid far too heavily. Sera had convinced herself it was still okay to do this, as unlike usual, she hadn't brought up the removal of clothing as an essential stake in the competition.

As she stumbled about in the bar, she heard a familiar voice. She turned to see Akino sitting with a man she didn't recognize. She smile and changed directions, dropping into the chair beside Akino. "Kitty!" She exclaimed with a slur, before patting the top of Akino's head. Her face was flushed red, and it was obvious she'd been drinking for way too long. She suddenly sat up a bit and pointed a finger in Mahlthor's face. "You're too drunk. You're cut off," she mumbled. She reached for his drink, but it was hard to tell which was his. There were like, five of them, slowly spinning around in circles on the table. "Make them stop moving..." she muttered, before putting her head down on the bar table.

"Oh, godsdessesses," she moaned, stumbling through the word "goddess" quite terribly. "Aaron's supposed to not be letting me drink this much, where did he get off to?" She asked, looking up at Akino. "You're not Aaron." She said, as if it was news to Akino. "You're Ak... Aki... you're a kitty..." She raised her hands and held them before her, balled into fists. She swayed a bit. "Punchy kitty," she said. "Alcohol makes me bad with names..." she mumbled, before putting her head back down on the table. She twitched slightly, before sitting up. "What are you doing here?" She asked, a hint of panic in her voice overcoming her drunkness for a moment. "Nor...North... Norf.... this place is dangerous..."

 

With all the scouting in the miserable miasma of Norfova's blighted landscape, the tavern she found in a small town on the border was a blissful relief. The cooler air swept over her skin and goosebumps crawled their way up and down her body with a shiver. She knocked the dust and dirt from her travels off her boots with a hearty knock against the doorjamb on her way in and was quick to toss a measly amount for a drink at the NPC merchant manning the bar. A few other players had beat her to the respite and she caught an eye and nodded, tilting her mead towards the patchwork group in a greeting but otherwise didn't engage.

She had a bit of a sweet tooth and honey was a favorite so she'd taken to the false-beverage early into starting in the game. She'd only recently hit drinking age outside the game, but it certainly wasn't something new. Cold nights in the wilds were helped along by swigs of whiskey. Gwyn had settled firmly on the opinion that mead was far better in her eyes, however. It wasn't to last though when a rather fetching woman had started up and Gwyn saw a challenge forming in her posture and tone of voice. When the ranger had sent back a needling reply to a boast, it was on. They had very quickly, over the course of many drinks, gotten absolutely smashed. After one too many and a whistle that was entirely too loud for the indoors, they had to admit defeat at the hands of their flustered barmaid and another NPC who shooed them away from the pretty thing. As if they couldn't control themselves, rude.

The human was content to pick herself up, snorting at her own bumbling feet as her boots caught against one another. There was a fair bit of heat rolling over her skin and fogging up her head and she thought it incredibly unnecessary to make getting drunk in the game the same. "Oh God, what if they programmed in hangovers?" Gwyn's nose scrunched up and she dragged her hands down her face with a groan. They immediately shot out however to catch herself on a nearby empty chair and she slid into it. The table was empty, but a full one sat at her back and included the challenger she had faced.

For all Gwyn felt like she was walking on the surface of a stormy sea, the woman she hadn't caught the name of was definitely a funner type of drunk. She rocked faintly in her chair as the world moved at a tilt around her. The hunter squinted and cast a glance over her shoulder at the egg in her pack. She pointed at it with the stern face of a resolute mother as she waggled her finger toward it. "Don't drink. Not even once, kid." She patted it gently and looked over at the green-clad woman as she pet at a Felis and slurred muddled phrases. "You alright there, hon?" She didn't feel super alright either, but it was only polite. Gwyn held tight to one of the arms of the chair and closed her eyes for a second as a wave of dizziness passed by. She felt like she needed a healer. When she opened them she laughed at their combined sorry state and looked over the gathered men. "You know her? She's a riot. Good stuff. 'S right though, this place is fucked. Why are you all out here- wait, why was I out here?" She tossed her head back with a singular laugh and tried to retrace the day's steps.

 

Mahlthor chuckles in response to Akino. "Greetings, Akino. The name is Mahlthor. And yeah, they have some interesting food here, nothing *great* but definitely palatable." Sliding the now empty glass away and immediately reaching for the mug of ale, he nods toward the two women now approaching. "Friends of yours?"

"You're too drunk. You're cut off"

The words, though just barely understandable, elicits another chuckle. "Sure. He ya go." And he slides the mug into Sera's open hand. He turns, waving down the barmaid once more and, when she approaches, Mahlthor says, "Can we get a bit of water for the table as well?"

Turning back to the table, he nods in greeting to the two women, the one hanging on the felis and the one at the table nearby. "Well, we're adventurers, aren't we? What reason do we need to be so far out, eh?"

A jovial laugh resounds, Mahlthor's infectious positivity clearly on display. "I thought this game was all about exploration, and seeing what sorts of troubles lie just beyond the horizon?"

 

The mirth and merriment was climbing high, reaching a peak within the tightly woven gathering of heroes. The libations had certainly invigorated the experience, augmenting the growth to the point of which it was akin to a snowball. Or mayhaps even an avalanche would work for this analogy? Either road, Akino was getting "buzzed" off the sheer intensity of the energy in the room, alive with firelight and music. The NPCs were rowdy, but not nearly as rowdy as the others who had stumbled in during the conversation, some other players. A group song had taken root, led by the high-spirited locals, and if one was not careful and wandered too closely... well, rest assured you would be drinking and singing en masse through the night! Not that this deterred any of the young heroes that populated the game. In fact, he was sure that one or two of those singing along were not NPCs.

"A thrill, a thrill, the heroes a-seek!
To battle, to battle, for all the glory!
And once the fields have settled a-gain!
The heroes away to forgotten lands!

Climb, o-climb, mount up their peaks!
Raise the standards, and travel for weeks!
Thus the glory in the heroine's name!
Thus the story of the Adventurer's Claim!"

Reveling in the cheer, Akino's hands grasped at the tea pot while his mind wandered over the idea of what meal he might share with his friend. Without realizing it, he had begun to hum along with simple, catchy ballad written for the likes of them. None-the-less, it did not distract him from deciding what he would stuff his gullet with. 'Some smoked meat sounds mighty fine at this moment, though I'd probably eat just about anything...' It was true, since just about everything was tempting to a man on a fast. Thank God virtual food didn't count!

"Some platters of smoked meat, if you'd be so kind. Any meat would be fine, so don't worry over which type. Just bring it on out for us, when you've got a moment. Thank you, Miss." It was as polite a request as anyone was going to make in a place like this, punctuated with a slight bow of the head, and the barmaid seemed to appreciate the kindness. After all, she was used to drunken travelers, such as Sera and Gwyn, asking after her meat. They exchanged smiles as she went off to fetch them the food, and Akino finally found the tea pot by its wooden handle; he poured the brightly coloured liquid from the clay depths and into a matching cup with an almost reverence. 'Ah, Oolong with ginseng and honey.' The substance shone almost the same shade of gold as his eyes, as if the tea and he were in complete harmony.

"If you'd like some tea, I'd be happy to pour some for you." Akino proposed it with the serene tone of one who had offered such many times over, and considered it a joy to do so. In fact, it would be his pleasure. Still, he did not think it was necessary to linger on the offer, the man did have his drink in hand after all. So the redhead brought his cup up in two hands, holding it before his features to let them bathe in the aromas of well-steeped tea. 'They put extra honey in, bless their NPC-hearts.' Just as he was about to take his first taste of the tincture, he heard Oakenheart's question; only then did he realize that his furry ears had been catching the familiar tone of someone he knew, he simply hadn't noticed. Arching a brow at Oakenheart and smiling over the clay in his hands, he turned about to look at the approaching folks as he answered.

"Don't you know, Mahlthor? Everyone's my friend."

As if God were trying to surprise him now, Akino caught the tell-tale green of his recent connection, Sera Phim. He had not figured to see her so soon after their meeting, especially this far out; still, it was righteous timing, to be sure. It was in Brisshal, during his first days of learning the woodlands and the ways of this world, that she dazzled him with the lights of her varied magics, allowing him to work up a fine sweat. A perfect addition to the potential party. And a friend to most, she did seem to be! Aye, with her jolly flush and good cheer through drink, just about any soul could warm up to the experienced craftswoman. Fair on the eyes to most, and fairer on the heart to all; just like majority of folk in this world, it seemed! Even the heavy-handed petting did not bother him so much; it was really the fact that every time he would lift the tea to his lips, he'd suddenly be rocked by Sera's hand colliding with his head.

"Yes, Sera, punchy kitty. That's me; Akino the Punchy Kitty." He took a few playful strikes at her hands with the words, before going on with a grin.

"And though he might be somewhat misguided in giving you more to drink, Oakenheart is right. We are here for the adventure. The thrill. Sure, this place can be dangerous, but we found some fascinating stuff out there, over said horizon. Plus, steel is tempered in flames, and all that. Maybe you'd like to join us later, if you can sober up in time, that is."

After answering the drunken mancer with a crisp laugh, a cat's eye was turned on the blonde who had come come over to join them as well, lips curled in a friendly smile. Sera's drinking companion matched up well enough; the blonde had only pleasant things to say about the mage as she plopped down into a seat nearby, and this alone would be enough to mark her as "good people" in the book of contacts. To boot, Akino caught sight of the familiar gleam of an egg's shell within her pack, and his hand fell to his own egg. Another reason to keep her in that book of contacts, this Gwyn character. Touching the shell of his babe-to-be, rough fingertips brushed along in an unconscious motion, as if to reassure himself more than the egg. 'Another beast tamer, I wonder?' He inquired within himself, then quickly returned his attention to the important matter at hand. His tea. Lifting it to his lips for another, final attempt, the felis drank long and deep, before placing the cup down once more. A satisfied sigh slipped from his lips as his tail began to sway faster behind him, and he leaned forward to take another, briefer taste before turning to address Gwyn in the deep tone of one who just engaged in an act that warmed their soul. It just so happened that Oolong was Akino's soul warmer.

"Yes, Sera is a joy, isn't she? A talented crafter and caster, and apparently a hearty drinker, to top it off." Laughing more at this, his hands take up his tea cup once more, worried that Sera's head banging might cause a precious drop of the life-essence to be dropped. Lifting his eyes from the table and back to Gwyn, then to the woman behind her who approached with the platters of requested nourishment. Practically jumping up to greet her, he offered repeated thanks as she lay the food down onto the suddenly crowded table and offered a hearty tip. Looking over to Oakenheart and Sera, and then to Gwyn, his hands waved over the platters in an open invite, cheerful flames dancing in his eyes.

"Help yourselves. Gwyn, you brought up a great point. What are you doing out here? I mean, I know what we are here for- Caves, giant bugs, and all that. But you? I have no idea why you're here! Certainly not to out drink Sera, as we've all seen where that's led!" He was fooling with her, hoping to confuse her drunken mind further. Letting out a self-amused chuckle, he seats himself down once more, still holding his clay cup and keeping the corner of an eye on the drunken ones of their group as he enjoyed being sober. It was certainly a grand thing when one did not have to go out hunting for company. Instead, God tossed it into the redhead's lap, and left him breathless with amusement. The way this was playing out, Akino doubted he would have to do much at all to prepare for what was to come. Leaning back in his seat, he continued his humming to the new song that was playing out, before muting said humming by stuffing a slice of meat into his mouth, changing the noises to ones of a happy felis' feeding.

@Mahlthor Oakenheart @Gwyn ap Herne @Sera Phim @The Admiral

 

Groaning, Henry glanced at the clock and realized she had been off by several hours and that the system wouldn't boot her quite yet. However it was late and she did feel the urge to sleep... but ten minutes later a piping cup of black coffee had her kicking with more life than before. She chugged the first down eagerly once it had cooled, then sipped more gingerly at the second, ran to the restroom for a brief shower, and logged back into the game with the hopes of grinding out some more experience for the upcoming events. She had missed the first World Boss but planned to be there for the next one; hopefully leading some sort of charge and formulating plans for downing the bastard. Fame and glory would be hers, and crowds would FLOCK to her!

A crowd had apparently FLOCKED to Akino in her absence. What the fuck? It wasn't difficult to recognize the woman who had made his weapons, and Akino had become more than a familiar face, but the other two were strangers were, well, strangers. One appeared to have taken his seat and so The Admiral had spawned into the tavern right beside him, appearing first as a small cloud of sparkles and slowly materializing over a matter of seconds. The bard looked at the larger man and judged him to be one of those punching monk-type guys that were running around all over the place. Probably a friend of Akino's then, here to join them on the quest! That meant the ladies were here for the same thing then, and this had all formulated rather faster than he expected. Not realizing that many people weren't even properly introduced and acting under the assumption that everyone present was aware of their mission and goal, he began talking in earnest.

"Well, I'm surprised people gathered so quickly, considering I was only gone a moment. And I see at least one familiar face, which is nice." He smiled, hoping Sera was too drunk to remember he had essentially stolen his own tip back from her. Probably she was.

"So as I'm sure Akino's explained in my absence, there is a cave not too far away which large bug-like creatures have made their home. We can confirm they are able to burrow underground, and are about as large as, say, a rhino. Or a small tank. But that's okay, because we have something they don't have: alcohol to numb the fear! So, we're going to dive into the place and clear it of bugs and look for any valuables that might be buried within its depths. Akino is, if I remember, really good at fisting." The choice of words had been intentional, just to see if the cat-man would blush or react in any sort of way.

"I myself prefer the role of tank and sometimes act as DPS, using my weapons to lay into my enemies and crush their skulls or shells open. I know it'd be good to have a caster; buff or offensive, each is nice. And if there's a healer that would be excellent too.. So, who here does what? What are our strengths? Any healers? Maybe someone who uses..." he lowered his voice, so the NPCs wouldn't hear the word malefimancy, and then realized that drunk as these people seemed they might start talking about it a bit too loudly. Best avoid that then, didn't want upset townsfolk driving them out.
"...debuffs?" Yes, that was a good way to phrase it.

He clapped his hands together and rubbed them, eager to see what each person came forwards with, throwing in one last side-note.
"I should also probably mention this isn't a formal quest and there's no guaranteed reward nor do we promise to or even reference that we may reimburse you for damages up to but not including cost of materials expended in the caves or character death and resurrection and that by joining this party you do now and in the future dismiss Akino and myself from any liability regarding the well-being of your character or yourselves regarding the events and occurrences we fully admit we aren't sure we will experiment as there is no indication of what lays within the cave system, nor do you intend to sue or press charges for traumas mental and physical related to performances of song and prose with which I might wish to entertain, past, present and in perpetuity." Inhaling deeply, he smiled that he managed to get that out in one rapid breath like in a T.V. commercial about a new drug, looking everyone over.
"Mmmkay? Mmmmmkay."

 

Gwyn nodded her head and gave a dismissive wave, conceding to Mahlthor's reasoning that they were in fact also adventurers. She hadn't thought of that. Why hadn't s- anyway. "Yeah, yeah, s'just sick out here," she explained as she leaned forward slightly. "Gotta have a real good uhhh reason, quest! Gotta have a real good quest to drag you out here. Or you're bored, or you wanna fight," she said with a sudden snarl at the end that tore her teeth like a dog's in challenge. They weren't here to fight her though were they. Her fingers tightened around the edges of the wooden chair and table she was clinging to to steady the slightest wavering of the sea. It was solid ground outside though, but that was the mead talking. And whatever else they'd been drinking. It had been good though. What was that about a fight?

As the pretty waitress from before came over with food, Gwyn tipped her both to chip in for the food being shared and for the starting and the flirting and the drinks they'd both ended up sloshing a few times over the bar. While there were meats and other draws, the ranger grabbed two thick slices of bread and a glass of water. She tossed a few thinner slices of some of the meats and cheese brought with, but the bread was what was important. Hopefully they worked like in real life to help sap away some of the drunken stupor. This game was so fucking good.

She listened with half a mind as Akino mentioned the quest they were on and she interrupted only with an "aha!" in triumph for being correct and then immediately set back in on the sandwich. The human struggled to swallow down a larger bite as the conversation turned to her and she scowled. "A quest to outdrink- no, no I wasn't doing that. Would like to get paid to drink with her though. Fun. No, I was... scouting! Scouting quest to explore Norfava. Stupid name, sounds like fava beans. Or were they called faba beans? I think both? That doesn't make sense." She settled for taking another sip of water.

When the bard showed up, she scowled even harder than before and lifted a hand to rub at her temples. She didn't think she'd frowned hard enough to give herself a headache, that sounded ridiculous. Clenching your teeth did that. Maybe Nobovah's stupid name did it. The bard who had miraculously appeared- logged in- suddenly went off on a long tangent. Gwyn stared at him numbly and chewed idly at her cobbled together food as she picked up approximately none of what he was putting down. The archer leaned back and finished her food and water, downing both quickly. "But there was something about using fists to lay enemies and I'm always down for a fight. Got my bow." She patted her own back where the longbow was hooked when not in active use. Equipped. That. "Also, you know debuffs isn't a cuss, right?"

@The Admiral @Mahlthor Oakenheart @Sera Phim @Akino Kokoro Ame ​

 

Mahlthor nods.

"Mmmm, sounds like fun to me!" The man echoes to the rest, smacking his open palm down on the table. "Is that all there is to worry about these bugs? Their size and burrowing capabilities? Shouldn't be too terribly difficult, then!" he adds with a wide grin. "In as far as party roles go, I can dish out the damage, so I guess you could throw me in to the DPS role. Though, I do have some secondary capabilities as a caster. Just... I'm not all too terribly great at the casting as of yet." His thick palm reaches to scratch the back of his head, and apologetic look creasing his face. "So, I wouldn't rely on that too heavily."

As @The Admiral goes through his spiel, the grin returns. "Oh? Better get that in writing then." He winks at the man jokingly. "I mean, what if I want to negotiate the terms at all?" he offers the bard a reassuring smile.

@Akino Kokoro Ame @Sera Phim @Gwyn ap Herne

 

A bemused smile crossed the Admiral's face as Gwyn seemed too intoxicated to really understand, but Mahlthor the Chair Thief appeared perfectly sober to the situation and began jesting about negotiating terms with him and Akino. Of course there would be no such luck for the man; he was either in or out, no two ways about it. Or were those the two ways about it? Metaphors and idioms were fucking weird. Regardless! A snake-like smile was tossed towards the man as the Admiral inspected him, then the others, wondering how badly they were all going to die. Definitely "very."

"I'm afraid those are the terms, take them or leave them. Now if everyone is ready, it's not a long march to the caves which, hopefully, we'll all enjoy exploring?"

There was of course no guarantee of what they would find, but he only had a few hours before he was forced to log out, and the coffee would keep him awake only so long. Ignoring whether or not the others were prepared, he walked towards the entrance to the tavern and nudged the door open with an outstretched arm, letting in the crisp night air of the Norfova 'desert' landscape. It was chilling and somehow seemed... thick, with despair, like a heavy fog one felt more than saw. Turning in the direction of their scouting mission, he began to pace slowly along the packed dirt of the barren land, keeping an eye out for familiar landscapes and markers so that he would not lose his way. He kept his pace calm and slow, listening for blood wolves or burrowing bugs or blood mages. The three B's of this place, one might as well say. Hopefully with how slowly he was moving, the others could catch up quickly, even in their drunken states.

 

Akino would have offered protest to his composing companion, considering two of the five where heartily in their cups, as it were. He would have explained the likelihood of them all being squashed by a cave in, or the superior group tactics of a likely hive-mind enemy within the depths. Then again, since they all knew what they were getting involved in, the choice was their own if they decided to proceed, even in their current state. On a side note, Sera was a highly skilled mage, even on a drunk day. As long as she could speak clearly, he'd dare say she would manage to keep herself alive. Maybe there was some sort of substance they could ingest to give their mind clarity? If not, there was always the sobering sensation of near death, tempered with high levels of danger, to wake them.

Mahlthor's call, filled with confidence and merriment, was fairly encouraging as well. As long as three of them felt confident over taking out some of these critters, the other two could make up the rear and ensure that they were not taken from behind. After all, if these beasties could burrow, they would likely be able to come out of the walls. Recently, in the real world, the redhead had read a novel by Robert A. Heinlein. A fantastic piece of literature, science fiction of course, about a soldier in the Mobile Infantry of the space military forces. The story was really emotionally captivating, but the reason he considered it now was that the main enemy of humanity was a series of advanced, hive-mind arachnids, simply labeled by the M.I. as "the Bugs".

Anyhow, as the story progressed, the reader learns more and more about the tunneling creatures, who live underground and are ruthless in combat. They'd sacrifice a thousand workers to defend one warrior, and a million warriors to defend a brain bug or a queen. All of the colonies they build were within the planets, tunneling far deeper than pressure would allow most human-kind to go. In the story, in "Operation Royalty", the main character leads a platoon as a Third Lieutenant down into these colonies, in order to rescue his sergeant and a series of his platoon who vanished below. The act was a brave one, but likewise very dangerous. The point being, he nearly bought a piece when the roof collapsed on him. It was not made clear if such was thanks to the Bugs, or simply a stroke of bad luck, but Akino was not planning on letting it happen to them. If only they had the same nerve gas said space troopers had developed to defeat the beasties in mass.

Glancing at Mahlthor, Sera, and Gwyn, all Akino could offer them was a shrug of his shoulders and a sheepish grin. They'd have to go as is, and have the most fun they can. But with a fierce band of five, well balanced on the side of aggro and support, the chances of them failin' were slim to none! That is unless, of course, if they managed to see a Queen, a feat not even the Mobile Infantry succeeded in! (Since the Bugs killed their Queens to prevent capture.) Or if they all bought it in a cave in, which would be the luckier of the two deaths.

"Welp, best get to it! I know I'm ready to have a blast. Too bad I don't have explosives of some kind though... Then it would be literal, and even more of a brouhaha!" Laughing and hopping from their table, he stuffed as much food into a cloth, then pack, as he could; racing after the Admiral, the scents of the meats, bread and cheese, would follow in his wake. Maybe they could use it to throw off their scent, or something of the like? Or what if the tunnels were far more expansive than they thought, and they found themselves lost? The food would be a welcome sight then.

@Sera Phim @Mahlthor Oakenheart @The Admiral @Gwyn ap Herne

 

Gwyn watched in half a daze, still eyeing the food and drink as she felt the haziness of the world turn sharper as the game seemed programmed to treat the drunkenness more in line with a status effect than the real world seemed fit to do. A shame really, she could definitely use a real life quick fix for things like that. She'd been drunk as a skunk one time camping in the Rockies and had just fallen asleep at her campsite when something spooked her. She'd been half up a tree before she thought hard enough and figured that if it was a bear then it could climb and then she would really be fucked. When she had collected enough of her wits to do the simple task of looking down she was quick to put a raccoon to blame for the whole thing. Not that they couldn't be right pests. Plus the mean bite and rabies wouldn't have been fun to deal with. Scaring the thing off had been easy enough after she spent half an hour trying to figure out how to get down in the first place. Whiskey and tree climbing didn't exactly pair well together.

@Mahlthor Oakenheart had made a sad little mention of his magic and she leaned over to pat him consolingly, "I've not a lick of it m'self. None of us in the real world. S'cool." She nodded her head at her own sage's wisdom before she pulled back to make sure she didn't slip from her seat. The heat and heady spin of her head seemed to be going more by the second so she didn't think it as much of a danger.

She rose as the talkative one @Akino Kokoro Ame, uhhhh- the talkative one that wasn't a cat @The Admiral, got up to leave. The dry air of Norfova was bracing and, "Hah! Norfova. That's the name. Fucking beans." The ranger shook her head at her own misspoken names for the place from before. The real question that left, however, was if they were fava or faba. She was decently sure she'd heard them said as both but she honestly couldn't decide if that was right or not. Surely someone wouldn't have given them two names that sounded almost the exact same? Was it a regional thing, maybe? Gwyn squinted into the dark of the path ahead as she followed the little group to battle. Was she honestly tripped up over this? She abandoned the line of thought and made a mental note to google it when she logged out later. If not it would bother her relentlessly.

"Alright, take us to this infestation so we can stomp it out. If there are giant cow ants, though, I'm leaving. Bite like hell."

 

• OOC: So everyone is aware, until Aaron (Sera Phim) is moved in and has less real life stress, I've been given permission to background puppet his character. He doesn't want us all controlling her, but I have permission to dictate basic actions such as "heals X" and "attacks Z" for the purpose of narrative and to keep things going. Kindly continue posting as normal, and if necessary assume Sera is just mumbling drunken replies to avoid any complications with dialogue. That said- also don't over-assume the inebriated state and color his character in a way he wouldn't approve of. Ignore her presence as much as is possible, and I will include her as much as is necessary in the narrations, until he resumes playing her)

@Mahlthor Oakenheart @Akino Kokoro Ame @Gwyn ap Herne