Open - Drinking Milk in a Bar

Finweald: Astor's Taste

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Astor's Taste... how bad can a name be? Well pretty bad it seemed. A glass of milk was brought to a blonde's fine lips as she sipped it slowly. The bartender had been dumbstruck that someone dressed in such armor with a sword like that hanging beside her would be such a "pansy" to drink milk in a alcoholic watering hole. Especially one that was proclaiming itself to be selling the best of the best in Astorea, specifically taste tested and approved by the drinking champion, Astor Balthas aka the king of the land. He was not the champion? The barkeep really did not care. After all, the king did defeat the Queen of Falderen in a one on one match! Yes... people were like this everywhere. Nothing new.

"You really are the girl scout aren't ya? Or maybe you just need to hide that wild side from your many admirers?"

A male's voice spoke with just a hint of tease. A gauntlet brought a glass of partially drunken milk onto the counter. The blonde's eyes shift towards the taller man who spoke. Only a look of no amusement would be his reward. Minerva refused to drink liquor. It would only damage her body. This avatar's body. Her new, true self. Never could she allow her mind and body to be tainted by such things. This man knew this and refused to accept it as truth. The man was someone she had met before after leaving these regions and training herself alone in the lands beyond. Training that was recently pointed out to her to be nowhere near enough. Ha... that's good. Minerva could only climb higher if there was a example to use as measure. Between Astor and her mysterious little killer. She had some interesting new focuses of interest.

"Someday, you will give up. I do not respond to your teasing and your attempts at flirting. I am not interested. Surely you learned that by now?"

Her lips curled into a wry smile as she picked her glass back up for another sip. The man sat next to her with a gleam of amusement in his eye. Bastard was such a fool but such fools were sometimes good to have around. She could have only wished for such things as Maya.

"After all, don't you have a job to do? You are pretty far from your house are you not? Little sister is helpless without you... am I right?"

She put the glass to her lips knowing he would deny it. This sort of back and forth was somewhat common between them now. It brought back some memories of her time there.

"No... you know she doesn't really need me. I wish she did. She's so adsorbed in... that stuff. I'd like to matter more but I'm not the chosen of the family. Luckily the Holy Order has a place for me. Lucky me eh? I'm here for a mission actually. This place needs a hand and the Order is jumping at the opportunity to spread the good blessings and all that. I'm just a bodyguard as usual. I'm supposed to be a blessed warrior. Sometimes I'm just a servant you know? Lineage or not."

The man ran a hand through his white hair and chugged his cold beer in one shot. He gave one more look at the girl with a smirk. This time it only lasted a moment though. He got off his stool and stretched a little before slapping her on the back.

"Nice seeing you again. Thought you had gone north. Guess your purpose keeps bringing you back here? Anyway, see ya. Gotta do my job. Some people have them my cute lordless white knight, you're always welcome Alex."

He winked and headed for the door.

"... Of course I am and of course I won't. Purpose had nothing to do with this. The whimsical magics of that white devil is what caused my return here.... but for those people to be here. Things are changing quickly. I need to get back to my own travels sooner rather than later."

Minerva muttered to herself over her glass. For now... one more glass of milk.

 

Vartock was on his way to meet up with someone but then he stopped as he noticed a pub. Vartocks eyebrows raised and he couldnt pass it up, he loved pubs no matter where. He walked over to the small place with an emotionless look as usual, his dark thick hair blowing in the wind. He saw the pub full of people, normally vartock would have just said fuck it and left but then he found himself opening the door. Before he made a step towards the bartender, he noticed a beautiful blonde haired lady in knight armor drinking milk. Also telling the others in the bar how it was, vartocks expression remain the same dark and emotionless but nonetheless he was impressed. Finally a girl player thats actually mature, vartock cracked a genuine smile accrossed his face and went straight to the bartender.
Vartock spoke* id like a cup of tea if you wouldnt mind.
Vartock glaring into the bartenders eyes with an emotionless stare, the bartender shrugged a little and responded.
Absolutely, a big guy like you? Figured youd want something heavier.
Vartock remained emotionless and his dark stare remain fixed.
None of you pussies could drink me under the table even if i was already trashed, now some green tea would suffice my thirst unless you feel like continuing to be a smart ass in which my 6 foot tall 12 inch boot will be sliding up your ass no?
The bartender shrugged in surprise but intimidate by the tal bulky looking man.
I apologise i meant no offense or harm heres your tea.
The bartender poured his glass and handed it to him.
Vartock remained emotionless as he spoke.
Thank you, you should teach the same respect to the morons who enter your pubs maybe then people wouldnt act so ignorant.
Vartock grabbed his glass and turned around and went over to sit down at the table across from the lady in knight armour just admiring her from a distance he nodded his head at her as if greeting her as he drank his tea silently a gazed down at the table. Vartock closed his eyes before some big tall scawny looking guy came walking over to vartock slamming his fists on the table.
I heard from the barbender you think you can outdrink anybody, you seem offly confident for someone who doesnt know these lands, but down here you can get your ass kicked for running your mouth like that.
Vartock opened his eyes staring into the man listening to what he had to say. Vartock raised his eyebrow,
Look little lady idk who you are and i really dont care i came in here to buy a tea and leave reason your about a foot hair from me merging your face with this table. For someone who seems to love astorea you sure know how to fuck with the wrong people.
The man grabbed the table and brushed it aside aggressively gettimg into vartocks face.
Really? Give me one name and reason why i shouldn't stick my foot down your throat mister im entitled to respect!!
Vartock remained emotionless as his expression grew dark, he slowly stood up before you know it vartock was standing 2 inches or more over this tall man.
Seto kurama you really think you have the slightest chance against his apprentice?
Vartock smiled a dark creepy looking smile as the man before him backed off in fear.
Uhhh uh im sorry sir i....i...i..had no..idea you were the dukes apprentice, please i meant nothing, just the beer talking please forgive me...
Vartock's expression turned blank again as he shook his head and sat down looked up at the man.
Now go pick my table back up and rearrange it back where it was them apologise to the bartender for messing with his shit, then apologise to the lady sitting not far from us for disturbing her peace, then go buy me another green tea alcohol free.
The man said nothing more to vartock just did all of the above and left the pub. Vartock remained still sipping his tea, and thinking. For a kingdom ran by a decent king youd think his civilians would have more respect. Vartock just shook his head and remained silent as he sipped his tea.

 

"Gahhh..."

Majolica was exhausted and wanted nothing more than a drink. Not having much to do, she had recently taken up the role of treasure hunter. Majolica explored areas, looked for tombs, and chased powerful artifact rumors but nothing had really come to fruition.

Of course, Majolica was powerful in her own right and it's not like she needed any artifacts, but she thought it would be neat to have one anyway. Some special ring, or a rare magical staff, really anything that looked cool. Maybe she could even have a treasury of doomsday power-level artifacts, that seemed like something a great evil witch would stockpile.

Along with her traveling and exploring, Majolica also practiced her spells. Her passive ability made it impossible to kill npcs, which she was fine with her. All NPCs were to be her loyal subjects after all. After some run-ins with thieves and bandits, she had amassed a dozen or so critters, which she kept in her 'borrowed cottage'. She typically left her frog familiars at the cottage, but always left the frogs comfortable with food and water.

Walking the streets of Finweald, Majolica came across "Astor's Taste."

"I hope his taste isn't awful..." Majolica grumbled to herself as she opened the door. Entering, Majolica noticed two people that stood out more then the others.

"Adventurers, huh?"

The fighter-looking type seems like a handful. But that knight... hehehe she would be a great bodyguard! I can see it now, some dummy hero charging at me, and her, in black armor that I corrupted with my awesome witch powers! And, like, maybe a dark visor and black sword so she looks super imposing. And the hero is like, 'this is the end Grand Witch' and I'm like, 'hehehe you're a fool hero' and then she's there, barring the way to me while I prepare a spell to reduce the entire enemy forces to pigs or something! Yesss.... hehehe! Let the recruitment begin!

Majolica wasn't socially adept. Maybe that's why she hadn't made many, or really any, friends so far. Even so, she was confident in her ability to bring the knight into her 'organizational dream team' as it were.

Once I build my forces from adventurers loyal to me, hehehe this whole world will be under my heel!

The Grand Witch chose the stool next to the lady knight.

"Bar keep! One hot cocoa, and two shots of candy! Hehehe!"

No one knew why all the bars Majolica visited all stocked hot cocoa and candy in shot glasses, but Majolica didn't care enough to ask either. If anyone else happened to wonder why a bar would have the materials to make this drink, they probably shouldn't put too much thought into it.

Her favorite drink, 'The Majolica Special' ordered, the witch turned to the knight.

"Every tried putting chocolate syrup in the milk? Hehehe... with extra sprinkles?"

Majolica wiped a drip of drool from her mouth.

"You seem like a strong independent lady who could use a witch to serve, Sir Knight. Hehehe, fortunately for you, I know a witch with two thumbs currently hiring for the position of Dark Knight..."

Majolica used her thumbs to point at herself.

@Minerva Alexandria

 

There was some ruckus behind her that she decided to blatantly ignore. Standing up for law and justice was her role she set upon herself in this world but... Minerva was not going to deal with this level of riffraff. She simply drank her drink of milk with a look of calm indifference. Then came a voice that reeked 'wannabe anime villain'. Sigh... some of these people should read some books. That have words instead of pictures.

"Chocolate syrup? Do you even understand the setting? No thank you. This and water are fine."

She could not help but catch the appearance of the girl even without focusing on her. Indeed witch hat, wacky look, sprinkles, and recruiting dark knights... No matter how much Minerva wanted to just forget this as a game these types would ruin her immersion. It was partly why she had left this region for so long. To be surrounded by the proper environment. Although... there were a bit more things like this that were native to this world that fit witch girl's mold. The mascot being one of them.

"You are correct in assuming me capable but I am far from strong. Most people are unaware of true strength until they see it."

Minerva herself fell for this often. Her own ego getting the best of her. That was something she would fix however.

"I am a lordless knight that serves no one. That will not be changing anytime soon. I am not interested in being a dark knight, thank you for the kind offer."

A small smirk appeared on her face and she glanced at the witch.

"Even if I was... you don't give the impression of being much of a dark lord. You need to grow up some first. Candy in hot chocolate is not a fast route to that. It's a quick path to cavities."

With that she finished her second glass and began to feel the need to move on. There was a smal quest she wanted to take care of before heading back out of Astorderen or whatever this place was going to be called now. The politics of this place did not mean much if she was not going to rise here. Indeed, Minerva did not plan do anything of the sort.

@Grand Witch Majolica

 

"Growing up? Hmph, I'll have you know I'm very much an adult already. Also, witch's don't get cavities."

Majolica poured the candy into her drink, swirled it, and took a sip.

"Ahh. That's good... hehehe"

She put the drink down.

"See, that's the problem. Everyone's so ready to put people into little categories. If you're a dark lord, you have to always dress in black, have super pale skin, and like, no nose or horns and a tail or something. Okay, I have horns and a tail, but ignore that part. Anyway, If you're a holy knight you have to be in bright shiny armor and shoot golden beams from your sword. Everyone thinks I'm a 'chunni' or something because I dress like a witch. But those idiots don't get it, I don't just dress like a witch. I AM a witch. I can turn people into frogs, I can make poison apples, and I can shoot shadow bats. I'm more of a witch than literally any of these other dark magic dummies! Ugh... it's so annoying. One day, I'm going to show all of them how stupid they really are."

Majolica sighed and took another drink. Then, resting her head in her hands, she continued.

"Take it from Grand Witch Majolica, the real world is tough, and this world is super tough too. Things aren't so easy to put into a box. Everyone's got their own little agenda and it's usually not good or bad, it's just what they want. What about grey areas? Sure, I like candy, the color pink, and think that you can be an evil overlord while still have the peasants living under my rule live happy and fulfilling lives. But, doesn't that mean that having me as Queen Grand Witch Majolica might be better for this world than some of these other stuffy player nobles? It's all grey area."

Majolica took another sip of her drink.

"Annnnd, like I said. I'm not a dark lord, I'm The Grand Witch. Says so right there on my name. Witches are completely different from dark lords. Dark lords are annoying, all they want is power and destruction. Witches are more neutral, they can be bargained with. Or at least I probably could, hehehe. They might even help you out sometimes. At least maybe I would, hehehe. Of course, all witches have dark powers, but that comes with the territory. It's what you do with it the dark power that matters! Not to mention, I'm probably the only dark magic person that doesn't automatically try and melt your skin off with a curse. That's just gross. There are much more creative ways to win a fight without having to clean up a pile of goo afterwards."

Majolica fully turned towards @Minerva Alexandria.

"It's like me calling you Galahad or something. Where's the holy grail, knight? You find it yet? Gonna go save the kingdom, Ms. Errant Knight? Wouldn't that get annoying? All I'm saying is, I bet the whole Dark Knight anti-hero thing would suit you. It's not like you owe anyone anything, or that a costume change would actually change much except people wouldn't expect you to save them. Unless, you're into the whole hero in armor thing. Not to mention you could be my ally and we could do fun things together like found a nation named after me, or take over a town and then make the town better."

Majolica rested her head in her hands again.

"It's like all of these player noble's. Sure, they're all super strong and I guess they're doing fine ruling, but also, why not Majolica? We could make a cool teeeeam... but it's your call I guess. I can't force ya, hehehe."

@Minerva Alexandria

 

Most of what Minerva had expected to hear from this girl was summed up retty well with 'Witches don't get cavities'/ Yes that logic was definitely a good sign wasn't it?

"....If you believe I'm sure it's true."

The knight looked into her empty glass and contemplated leaving while the witch went on. She was saying things that were obvious to anyone who wasn't what? Twelve years old? No, younger than that, or just someone who can only see everything as a generic cliche. She was on to something yes but also...

"It almost sounds like you are preaching to yourself as much as me."

Minerva turned and looked at her fully now resting her arm on the counter.

"Regardless if you are right or not. Majority opinion matters. In this game people see dark magic and do you know what they will do? Call them a witch, heretic, or some other derogatory term and have them exiled, lynched or at the lightest shunned from their society. The groups that would accept them? ...Marjoica. From what I have seen they very much are boxes. Evil may be relative, but the phrase birds of a feather is also true. Walk around looking the devil and you will be seen as one."

Looking her from bottom to top without a smile she continued.

"I see a witch with horns and tail. If we both did a great deed for people. Who would look better in their eyes? You tell me. Especially when the rumors of demons in the north have left many unsettled. think you should get more experience before saying such things. Now... if one were to place themselves into people's sights the image they want to see. Then what those in power want to see. Then you can change things. I am a holy knight. I do not give my allegiance to any god or king. However I can easily place myself int-"

Minerva had spoken to much. Her goals in this world were still far from fruition and her methods for attaining them were in know way quick nor certain. She simply had to persevere. Why was she wasting her breath giving advise to this girl who was simply playing a game while for Maya this was reality? Maybe it was to feel the elder? Maya was younger than she let on in her avatar. The upsetting thing? Minerva was saying things that fit into her neglectful parents mindset. Cold, aiming for success and control regardless of cost. She wanted to escape into the game forever to become a noble and heroic person. Yet here she was giving advice about how to manipulate world views... ironic how the apple does not fall far from the tree.

"Also, taking over towns and giving them your name is a very bad start. I would have to put you down for the shake of the people and the entire kingdom would back me. Actually as long as it was not Astorea, that is not so bad. So please do that."

Magolica would not force her? Well that s another obvious thing. Minerva got off her stool and payed the barkeep a tip. She offered a gentler expression to the witch before heading out.

"I'm not saying you are entirely wrong. When you stop making frogs and start looking at what people care to have as a leader. What actually gets things done. Then you can start scheming or whatever it is you're doing. Dark knights are pretty cool looking. Sure some kid somewhere will be very interested. Keep looking..."

She patted the witch on the shoulder as she turned to leave. She had to give the world some of the story it wanted before she could make it her own.

{Exits Thread}

 

Majolica watched Minerva leave.

"Well, that was pointless. Why would I care would people want in a leader when I could just make frogs that are stuck with me as their leader? That's a lot easier. People are dumb anyway, they don't know what they want or who they want to take care of them. Pfft, as long as nothing changes in their daily life they could probably care less! Hmm... being a frog does change their daily lives though..."

Majolica downed the rest of her drink and wiped her mouth on her forearm.

"Ahhh... good! Raises the spirits right up! Hehehe... Someday soon, I will find my dark knight. Then... hehehe... that knight woman is going to be the first to get beat by them! Put me down... pffft! As if she could! Hehehe... Yep! I'm on the right track. Just wait, you dumb holy knight! Someday soon you're going to regret not becoming my dark knight!"

Majolica hopped off the stool and picked up her things. Whistling, she left the bar.

"Maybe I can do something so the frogs can be more useful... hmmm... hehehe..."


-EXIT THREAD-