Whatever the future holds [KIT]

[Starlight]

OOC: may be open later on, but for now i really need to work on my social, fyi I have no plot plan for this so I am just going to swing it.

Arriving to the Town of Tolbana just as the sun was about to set on the horizon, the busy street of Tolbana was just about getting ready to close for the night. As NPCs are working around the town to close down the shops, and paper caged street light are lighting up along the road, illuminating the surrounding with a faint red color light. A lone girl stepped and stumbled into the walls of Tolbana. She was wearing a dark brown jacket covering up her start up leather armor, with black wool shirt and dark grey jeans and high combat boots, the lower half of her face was covered up by her wear out long red scarf, the scarf was so old and been through so many battles that its end was getting tear up a little bit. She warped her scarf more closer to her neck for the warmth it has against the cold wind, temperatures are dropping now that nightfall is nearly here.

Breathing hard and stumbled into the gate of Tolbana, her long black hair curved around her face, she took a moment to look up and quickly have a look around the surrounding. Eyes sharp and in alert for her surrounding, but cannot hide her wariness, she breath in and out but sensing no danger incoming and she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. Wind blow pass her she as take a few steps into the street, long hair flowing behind her. It was almost dark now, giving the street of Tolbana a strangely beautiful yet mysterious feel, still, she must find a safe place for the night and wait for her health bar to regenerate back to a safer state. Starlight breath into her hands for warmth, eyes glazing and calm, she walked along the street.

[Kitferge]

(-50 Col)

Kitferge sat at the table, analyzing the man who sat across from him. His smirk widened when he realized that the man was beginning to fidget uncomfortably from the sheer force of his stare. The blonde himself hadn't anticipated being pulled out of the street where he was napping to become a player in a spontaneous game like this. It wasn't even a table, rather an empty crate. The rules seemed simple enough: you weren't allowed to say anything besides signaling your surrender, and the person who surrendered first lost. No contact.

It was easy, really. To unnerve people, all you had to do was stare at them as intensely as possible, and as obviously as possible, too, without blinking. His eyes were tingling lightly, but it was no matter. It had been...around fifteen minutes, maybe? He hummed lightly to the tune of Clair de Lune, watching as the man became more and more unsettled. The tip of his dagger gleamed from the sheath at his side. A beat of silence. And then- "I surrender."

He stood up, satisfied, and then the other man was left to sigh in quiet relief as Kitferge stood, the sign of a victor, and then made to leave, finally allowing himself a languid blink. The other onlookers continued on with their games, but a woman jokingly attempted to cajole him into playing another game. He politely declined before glancing up at the sky. So it was late, hmm? He debated on switching to Night Vision or not, but then ultimately decided a couple of more hours would be needed before he pulled out that particular skill.

He smoothed down his own attire, a bright red hoodie that almost was too big for him, sleeves hanging over his hands with an extra three inches to spare unless he rolled them up (which he didn't), a fact that made him scowl internally, and simple dark black jeans paired with a gray shirt. It was at times like this when he despaired, he thought darkly as he took a seat on a bench to re-lace up his knee-high boots, scowling even more darkly. Sword Art Online could be too realistic at times.

Honestly. He either needed to find a new place to shop...or...something. He sighed at his inability to think about that clearly and awkwardly ran a hand through his hair, which was much longer now that he had released the two braids in his hair. It fell in thin layers to his shoulder blades, which he would be more bothered about if he had actually cared. He walked idly into the streets, and then glanced at a strange, moving silhouette from the sidewalk to his left. It was...a feminine outline.

A girl, green crystal, around his age, taller (obviously, he noted with no small amount of sarcasm) and seemingly alone. Whatever, it wasn't like she was going to get hurt. He glanced absently around before crossing the street, passing in front of her as he walked aimlessly around. He felt restless today, and he wasn't going to spend time trying to sleep when he knew it was fruitless.

[Starlight]

Starlight grabbed her right arm again, her instinct was to check herself for injury from the scratch, but in this game there are no such thing, there is only the health bar. Sighing as she double checked her health bar, it was still ok, and soon it will be more ok as it will be regenerated to a more acceptable state. 

Telling herself to calm down, it was just a scratch, she was about to walk ahead. But just then, someone behind her walked by and cut in front of her. Her heart beat was so loud in her ears and she instinctively grabbed onto the hilt of her weapon, waiting silently in alarm for an action. Is this one of the Player Killer...? But then, she had a better look at the stranger who just walked by, and she was green, signalling that she was in fact, one of those good people. The stranger has blonde hair and was wearing bright red clothing, she was very eye catch among the NPCs.

Starlight frown a little be in wariness, debating whether she should call out or not, but in the end she left out a sigh. "Excuse me Madam...but it is getting late here, perhaps you should not be wandering around the street at this hour, it is getting late..."

[Kitferge]

...Madam?

Kitferge paused, tilting his head back to let the hollows of his throat be exposed to the sky, blue eyes glittering as he turned back to the other. It had gotten darker than he expected, and his the pupils of his eyes slitted slightly, showing his Night Vision, which had been activated. Easier to see that way in this dark, that was true. He was in a good mood because of his earlier win, so he didn't mind, but even so, a little pang of amusement bubbled up in him.

"I am a male, just in case of future reference," He spoke lightly, his blue eyes light as he inclined his head slightly. He took out his sheathed dagger and flicked it up before easily plucking it out of the air, the sharp sides of his blades delicately pressed against his fingers. He smiled lightly, an edge of steel to his silk-soft grin. "And besides, I can take of myself. Night Vision and all that. If anything, you should be more concerned for yourself. But thank you for your thoughtfulness."

He sends a random glance over her. She's pretty, and reminds him of Phyre, the girl he'd bumped into before. His fingers still over his skin at the mention of Phyre. She had sung pretty well, after all. His fingers begin tapping against his leg anew, the melody that he had played that day. Kitferge snorted internally. It was such a terrible song in his head, but after all, he'd been quite biased. Kitferge had always enjoyed instrumental music more, anyways.

His gaze landed onto her weapon. A beginner material longsword? His eyes gleamed in interest. He had a copper longsword, but he would wait before bringing that topic up. After all, there was always the chance that this girl would catch his interest, and then he would be obliged to give her the blade for free. He was always interested in forging new connections, anyways. He glanced up to view her green crystal again, a symbol that mirrored his own.

The blonde paused before introducing himself, sending a gaze at her with a quietly burning intensity. "Kitferge, level three, in case you were curious. I was going to head to that cafe over there, just a little bit farther down. If you want to join me, I don't mind. It's not safe to wander at night, after all," He said teasingly, throwing her words back at her. He spun on his heel before continuing down, twisting the ring on his finger as a nervous habit.

He was halfway through the door and was greeted with the sound of familiar greetings, having frequented this place before, and tilted his head at the mysterious Phyre-like brunette, who was a little farther away from him. His eyes were curious and light, and then he called out some words with a mischievous smirk. "Are you paying? My treat. For you being nice and all and telling me it wasn't safe." In a safe zone, where your health couldn't be harmed in any way, he added internally, but none of his slight amusement showed as he slipped through the door into the cafe.

[Starlight]

Starlight blinks as soon as the blonde player speakers, his voice was a lot deeper than she had originally anticipated.

Well...I am really bad at this guessing gender thingy, this is how many times that mistake someone for a girl now...?

"I am a male, just in case of future reference,"

Right..right..."My apologies." Starlight says quietly, and stared a little bit as the blonde male started to unsheathed his weapon (is this going to be a random duel?) and proceed to...show off his rapier skill? By doing some kind of flashy strikes at the air and follow up with a quick and clean sheathed move. Starlight titled her head to the side, is this what people are doing for greeting these days? I have been out of contact with other players for so long now, traveling for this solo quest from the first floor to the second floor, back to the first floor again, running away from monsters and avoiding other players, that I am kind of getting off the touch with what the other players are doing nowadays. Maybe I should do something fancy with my long sword as of a way of greeting too? It will only be polite and show good spirit. Unfortunately though, I don't know any fancy moves, all that I know how to do, is to stab monsters and maybe battōjutsu.

He does not look very dangerous or threatening and I don't want to provoke him and have him somehow think that I want to attack him, so...no to that, I guess.

Starlight nodded to the blonde player politely as a way of greeting. 

The blonde player than proceeded to introduce himself as Kitferge and also teased her about not being safe to wandered out alone at night, right back at her. Starlight felt her face flushed into a bright red color as she stuttered in her words. Gosh, I am going to get a warning from someone shorter than I am now...?

"Gosh! I didn't know you were level three and have night vision, I couldn't make an estimate because of the flavor clothing that you were wearing. And I only warn you to get inside because of this Player Killer rumor that was going on all around the Town of Beginning, I thought that you didn't know it and should at least be aware of them....Something about that they prefer to target and ambush newbies when there were no one around...." Starlight sighed. That was why she was so skittish at the beginning, because at this moment, she looked like the perfect target and in the perfect spot and time for a strike. 

"Hello there, my name is Starlight, and good evening. I am about level 2 right now but not there yet. It is nice to meet you." 


Then Kitferge go ahead and mentioned something about a cafe and food...? Did I heard that right and it was his treat? And all of the sudden Starlight couldn't think of anything else as her stomach made an embarrassing loud rumple sound, and just like that, forget about the Player Killers or potential kidnapping, Starlight happily followed behind Kitferge into a cafe like establishment like a lost puppy. After what about three days (lost track of time) of camping in the wild, berries, half cook meat and strange and questionable mushrooms, seriously is food poison a thing in this game she needs to know, she is not going to turn down free and actual real food for even the end of the world. 


"Oh thank you so much Mr. Kitferge, that saved my life~~! (where did the Mr. came from? Since when did you use honorific?) I needed something that is not questionable food. So anyway, what are you doing here in Tolbana? If I remembered correctly, not a lot of people likes to go here and certainly not without reason."

(OOC: trying to save col to buy an apartment so, will only pay in fictional col - flavor, maybe get one on the first floor for cheap, maybe save up for second floor, not sure yet)

[Kitferge]

(-30 Col for me and Star)

"A rumor...?" His eyes darkened as he murmured to himself inside of the cafe, blue eyes icy. Any self-respecting PKer should know that if you killed, do it discreetly, quickly, and quietly. "But you know, health can't be harmed in towns, which are safe zones. Anyone try to stab you, it doesn't work. Got to drag people out for that...but no matter. We have our guards and things besides, anyways." He sent one last thoughtful gaze to the surroundings that were around him.

Starlight seemed happy about him paying, which made him sigh internally, but then he suddenly raised an eyebrow at the "Mr." that accompanied his words. "Just call me Kitferge. Why I'm in Tolbana?" He stole a table, his gaze flickering to the brunette as he picked up a single sheet menu, absently reading the words. "For some business. I'm a channeler and blacksmith, so I do some trading and selling, and visiting some people I know. Also, there's a lot of information you can listen to."

"Learning about some players, for instance. I heard there's a new guild-Elysian, they call it. What else...oh, there's this one player that I've met before. Her name is Rue. Heard she wasn't in the first floor raid, but...apparently she's a level six now. Did a dungeon party with her once with another player. Apparently? She worked for Argus." His blue eyes gleamed with a quiet ferocity as he ticked off each fact on his fingers, interest bubbling up in him.

Victorie's...sister in law? Somehow connected to the red-haired French barmaid who worked at Scor's bar in the Town of Beginnings, that's what she was-owned the cafe. So Kitferge knew a little about the owner and sometimes talked to her, more of an acquaintance than anything. He hums before ordering something quick and easy-black coffee, no sugar or cream, and chocolate chip biscotti dipped in bitter chocolate. The waitress nods before leaving.

She's pretty, too, which seems to be common, somehow, a woman who must be in her late twenties-he guesses 27. Her hair is a lush auburn, pulled up into a luxuriously elaborate bun that looks like a wedding hairstyle. Her skin is pale and her eyes a bright green, and she smiles and laughs easily. He notes information down about her as easily as he would if he were reading a book. She rubs her ring finger sometimes, absently, so it's likely that she was married at one point, she has a bump from writing on one finger, and so on.

Observing people has always been Kitferge's hobby. His gaze flits to another, a boy around their age. He's arguing vivaciously with another guy around his age, but the two are wearing matching grins. They must be close. One is shorter, but he's more observant-his eyes flicker for a second, marking each of the exits. Very nice. He knows where people are, where the exits are, which one is better to take in half a second, something that Kit ensured he knew when he had entered. He must use a rapier, judging from the weapon on his side.

He receives his order and pays the waitress, tilting his head in a casual gesture. He takes a quick look around the cafe again. It's a minimalist place, really-all dark wood and white tile. The walls are pure white, and the floor is a white tile as well. But all the chairs are dark black wood, straight-backed with a leafy design on the back of the chairs. Tables are dark wood as well, and all the plates and dishes are a simple white design. It's pretty, to be honest. Something that even Kitferge could appreciate.

"So, Starlight?" He asks lightly, sipping at his coffee. While the bitter taste might make some cringe, he merely appreciates it. It actually kind of tastes nice, warm and mellow. His eyes glance at the brunette as he absently takes a bite out of his biscotti, enjoying the warm baked good. "Why do you find yourself in the Town of Beginnings?" His fingers delicately close around the white cup in his grip. He's just glad that Starlight didn't take him as a weakling because of his size.

He frowns internally at the thought, and sends another helpless glance to his too-big clothes, and struggles to contain a pout. He's still just seventeen, after all. But seriously? His size makes for some very unhelpful thoughts. He can be seen as cute (he struggles to restrain a pout and a sigh at the thought), frail (seriously?), or even much younger than he is (he's seventeen. Again.). Kitferge merely shakes the thoughts off and continues on, having to stretch to get his hands out of his sleeves as he sips his coffee.

[Starlight]

Starlight's eyes widen slightly at the words.

"But you know, health can't be harmed in towns, which are safe zones. Anyone try to stab you, it doesn't work. Got to drag people out for that...but no matter. We have our guards and things besides, anyways."

"Is that true? So the walls are safe zone, safe zone...nothing can harm me as long as I am here? That is a relief. If even the PKer would have a hard time attacking someone within the walls, then there are still protections for the non-combatant players. What a relief. Though, going out would still posed a problem. But if someone were to post on board and asking for help of escorting when traveling between Towns, it would still be alright."

Starlight relaxed a bit. "My apologies, I seems to like to worry over silly stuff." Starlight picks up the manual from the table, listening closely and silently to what Kit was saying, while looking over the manual of the cafe, it seems to serve all day breakfast.  

"For some business. I'm a channeler and blacksmith, so I do some trading and selling, and visiting some people I know. Also, there's a lot of information you can listen to."

Starlight pricks up at that. A channeler and a blacksmith? That is some widely useful skills. Despite his causal and tranquil composure, from his words, he seems to be the type to know a lot of people and to get a lot of information. That would be someone very good to have in anyone's friend list.  That channeler skill would be especially helpful in a lot of situation...escape stone and development ring comes to mind...

"Learning about some players, for instance. I heard there's a new guild-Elysian, they call it. What else...oh, there's this one player that I've met before. Her name is Rue. Heard she wasn't in the first floor raid, but...apparently she's a level six now. Did a dungeon party with her once with another player. Apparently? She worked for Argus."

"The Elysian guild? I have never heard of such Guild, in fact, I didn't even know that this game has a Guild. Never met anyone claiming to be from the guild, what a shame, must be a very secretive guild. But nevertheless, that sounded very nice. It would be good to always know that someone has your back. I tended to joined in temporary teams, but once an objective is completed. We went on our separate ways and I go solo a lot." Starlight takes a deep breath. "I am fine, not gonna die anytime soon, if nothing else, I am always alert to potential danger, but it would be good to find the time to relax once in a while."

Starlight blinks silently, thinking about her past encounters, it was good, all of her teammates were kind to her, a sword, a shield, a rapier, covers her back so that she can attack and move forward a bit more. 

"I do miss them, I wonder what they are doing now, and if they are ok, if they find purpose in this game. Perhaps a PM is overdue, perhaps another party forming is overdue." Looking downward, her lips silently curves upward into a soft quiet smile. "Hey, say...if ever I were trying to form a party and go explore the dungeon again, you know, as preparation for the discovery of the second floor dungeon, would you be willing to take part in my team? Who knows, maybe we can have some fun encounters." Starlight frowned and blinked.

"Speaking of which, I can't believe that you know Rue too. Young looking girl, about the exact same height as me. Save my life twice in a roll on the second floor. Strange little girl, she doesn't seems to like it when people talks about her height, even though...I thought my height was fine, since we have the same height. But I can't help it, her little face look so chibi and it was like a kid, 16 at best, so constantly called her a little girl and I think that got on her nerves somewhat. So she was level 6 huh...? Wow, that was close, so lucky that I didn't get PKed by her for that, that would be a short and sad way to go. We didn't talk much, but I do hope to see her again, preferably on the battle field. Never heard of Argus though, is he or she an NPC? Or another player whom I have never met?"

Starlight tilt her head, thinking, she has never asked another person about their opinion of her so she is kind of wondering what she appears to look like in the eyes of another. "Speaking of which, how old do you think I look like...? You seems to be a little under 20 or 20ish, I like your style and the color of your eyes. I used to like battle dresses, but nowadays, it was all practicality for me. Maybe I should care about what I look like more." Starlight was no lady, but there was no reason not to keep up the look.

Just then, the waitress arrived, and Starlight quickly withdraw her hands from the table and waited patiently for Kit to put in his orders. Strange though, Kit seems to have recognized this NPC waitress, not a lot of players pay attentions to NPCs but it would be a good habit to have, since that is how one would get access to not widely known information and tips about the games. It would come through the NPCs first. He did say that he did some business, I wonder if he had anything like weapons up for sale...it would be about time for me to get a weapon upgrade too, but that would have to wait, as I need to sort through my inventory and figure out whether I am going to save and buy an apartment first. 

"Thank you...can I have a cup of coffee as well? With double sugar and double cream, and also one full breakfast, I am starving...thank you." Starlight looks up at Kit, the latter seems to be looking at the NPC waitress, assessing her for some reason, must have been a habit as an explorer, always on the look out and pay attention to the surrounding I see...but, safe zone, so I am going to be completely relaxed and be lazy, and forget about the usual combatant business. Just be me for a change, it was overdue too, we all used to be normal people once in the real life, funny how a simple game have changed our behavior so.

The NPC waitress left with a polite nod and went to get the over. Kit was watching the other customers for a bit before the waitress arrived back with their food on a tray, and she settled the tray down on the table and put the items in front of them. That shock Starlight out of her lazy state as she quickly and happily thanked the waitress and happily took a large bite out of her pancake. Hummm....! That tasted so good! It was much better than what I was eating before.

Kit, who was sitting across from her and seems to be having a good time with his coffee.

"Me...?" Starlight asked as she was chewing on her food, she swallowed before answering. "A few days ago, I accepted this solo quest from an NPC, the reward is basically none existent at this point. The task was to check out spots marked on this old map that her ex-husband left her....it..." Starlight looked down, not sure how she is supposed to feel about the quest right now. "it...didn't went so well....no...actually, it went down smoothly. I was able to complete the task easily without needing to use my potions, you could have said that it was a complete victory. The result was an absolute win no matter which angle that you look at it....However...I just don't know how I am going to tell her, of what happened. Yeah...the report part is going to be a pain in the neck, I dread it so much right now, that I almost didn't want to submit it. Not that I am going to get any good reward for it anyhow. " Starlight rubbed the back of her neck. "I do need to submit it though, I can't leave a task unfinished, no matter what the result will bring. The NPC that requested the quest used to live in the Town of Beginning, which is where I usually hang out and where I took the quest. The day before yesterday, when I went back to look for her after completing the task, the landlord says she already moved to Tolbana for her new job."

Starlight took a small sip of her coffee, it was sweet just like how she likes them, but they do make her look childish, not wanting to drink real dark coffee, when her drinks are this sweet, they no longer tasted like how real coffee should. "It forced me to travel throughout the night, because I was worried that I was submitting it late. I started a little before midnight and travel through the plains, actually managed to saw sunrise in this game for once, but was too wary of the surrounding to take in the view. Did not get a chance to sleep or eat for a little under 24 hours, my movement was getting sloppy and I was worried about getting ambushed by the monsters, or getting the attention of the oh so famous Player Killers. None of which happened, thankfully, a wolf managed to get a jump at me, but I was not interested in engaging, so I run off, maybe it was chasing me towards Tolbana, maybe it given up I am not sure." Starlight takes a few more bites of her long sought after real food. 

"I got her address from the landlord, and I was just going to check on her when I meet you outside, nah...she can wait. After this, I am going to ask to borrow her floor for a bit for resting, and then that clears my schedule. After I am done with looking at the Town, never had the chance of touring this Town it was all so new to me, then maybe I headed over to the dungeon again. That is the plan."

Starlight took another sip of her coffee. She quietly chuckles to herself as she watches Kit fundles over his clothes. Was the sleeves getting a little bit too long for him? Starlight considers this, well, it would not do, having flavor clothing of all things to potentially inhibit someone in combat. She considers this closely. "...I might have known a tailor, maybe he could have with adjusting your cloth." She tilt her head,  finally noticing that he was actually shorter than she was, and it was kind of cute. He was kind of cute. Appearance usually doesn't caught her attention, since she view the world as how much threat such and every individual could potentially do, size or not it has no impact on damage output in this game, and that was what she was focusing on and trying to determine, the first time when she met anyone.


Thinking of which. Starlight blinks and thought to herself. "Say Kit, you said that you are a channelier? Would you mind helping me out for a little bit? I got a few calcium ore from monster drops, if you are above level 2 in channeling, could you turn 2 stones into 2 development ring for me? Later on in the activity center of course. I don't want to waste your time here. " 

[Kitferge]

"I would be interested in joining a party, of course." He takes her words one by one, answering to each rapid-fire question in a casual manner. "And I don't suppose that Rue likes her height being talked about. It's understandable, though. Have you seen her fight? She's powerful. And she knows it. That's most likely why she disliked it. She could have taken you for someone who spurned her strength. But it was interesting to meet her, that's for sure. And to see her fight. I crafted for her as well..."

"Wait, you don't know what Argus is?" His cup was gently placed back onto the table as he stared at the girl in incredulity. "Argus was the gaming corporation that produced Sword Art Online and the NerveGear under Kayaba Akihiko, who was one of the game designers. It's common knowledge now, after some people well-versed in the gaming industry spread what they knew amongst the player base. Honestly...someone's going to take that information for granted and you'll be left behind."

He listened to her talk a little more, and so he sipped his coffee, letting the warm taste brush against his tongue. And then he heard her ask about his age. It wasn't an unwelcome question, and the blonde rather expected it, so it was alright. He hummed quietly to the tune that was playing throughout the cafe, and then ran a finger over the pale porcelain, admiring the smoothness of the design, the way that it was cut. By pure coincidence, the design must have allowed it to seem shinier from the way the light reflected upon it.

"I'm seventeen. I'm guessing...eighteen?" His eyes gleamed in quiet interest. "And thank you. I can switch to armor for practicality when I need it, but when I don't, I wear simple clothing. And maybe you should. Let me guess...you like fashion, at least to some extent. And definitely food...though you may not be a gourmand. Sword-wielder, definitely a lot of experience, if not a lot of interaction with day-to-day players. My guess? Busy with quests for leveling and grinding. Forgot to mingle for information, did you?" He teased lightly.

"Interesting. It sounds like that quest was quite an ordeal." He thinks delicately, letting his fingers fold underneath and over each other as he lets them settle as a sort of resting spot underneath his chin. "And you know a tailor?" His eyes widened in slight surprise. He hadn't been expecting that, but it wasn't unwelcome. "But I suppose I would have to deal with this, after all. Growing into clothes and whatnot. Even though I doubt that I'll grow any more, since I'm already so small."

He then blinked at her question, and then an interested smile spread across his face as he picked up his cup again, sipping the dark concoction. "Of course. I do have fees, though. Fifty Col for each piece. For now. I would be honored, to, though." He returns to sipping his coffee, and the conversation drops into a warm silence, his blue gaze flitting over to the customers. He can attempt to read them, though it's harder when it's not the real world. They don't wear suits or ties or fancy dresses, and it's so much harder.

There's a different waitress, for example. Her hair is a pretty silver, one with age, not with an unfortunate effect from the system that maintains and takes care of player avatars. Her white and black outfit, simply black trousers with a white blouse with a cream-colored tint, makes her silver curls seem professional, even. Kitferge idly wonders why so many players have wavy/curly hair. It's kind of amusing, really. Her hair reaches her waist, and she seems proud of the shade. Her skin is oddly smooth and has few wrinkles from her apparent age.

It makes him wonder, but there are smile lines that can only come as years pass and wrinkles here and there, even if her voice is a warm soprano. She reminds him somewhat of his own mother. He sighs internally at the thought, and moves on without a second glance. Her wrists are delicate and thin, nails perfectly manicured. A woman who color-coordinated her nails and shoes, doubtlessly aware of her appearance. Interesting, he thinks boredly.

He finally glances around the room for his gaze to settle on his cup again. The smooth porcelain is a pale white, snow-colored. Delicate, pure, perfect. It's in a rectangular shape, not circular. Harder to clean, though perhaps more aesthetically pleasing. Was that the goal? Perhaps. He's not sure, but it doesn't really matter to him. The way the light reflects on the cup makes a triangular beam of light appear, like a glint. It's...normal. He wonders mockingly if he can find the length of each side.

Using the theorem he had learned in school, of course, that trite and overdone nonsense. A squared plus b squared equals c squared, and all those formulas. What else did he remember? There was that one: ax squared plus bx plus c equal zero. And then the one he always heard that one girl rattling off: negative b square root (positive and/or negative) b squared minus 4ac over 2a. The quadratic formula. In his work Arithmetica, the Greek mathematician Diophantus solved the quadratic equation, but giving only one root, even when both roots were positive.

Oh, well. It wasn't like anyone wanted to hear his inane rambling. Kitferge blinked at the brunette who was across from him and finally stood up, his chair gently pushed out with nary a sound. He blinks slowly at the other, and then tilts his head in an inviting gesture to the door. There's a bar in Tolbana, and it's a pleasant enough place. Bars are also the places where information slips out, and god knows that Starlight needs much more of an education in common knowledge.

He says as much to the other green player, but keeps the last part silent and inside of himself. He opens the door with a quiet chime, and gives the waitress a polite nod as he walks out. They fall into step, and he blinks at the cold night as he lets out a breath, and his breath appears as a foggy cloud midair, making him raise a skeptical eyebrow. It doesn't feel that cold, but maybe he's just used to the English weather. Even London wasn't this cold, though. He sighs and merely tugs at his thin clothes. It's not cold. Instead, he feels rather warm.

They arrive at the door, and Kitferge only sends her a quick glance of concern before opening the door.

[Starlight]

It was an usual feeling, to be suddenly treated like a lady again. When she first started this game, she was a newbie and was such an air head that practically people were laughing and watching over her, and as her battle goes on, the people started to look at her differently. Gender becomes irrelevant, she was just a fighter. Even her good appearance did not help anything. She was as far away from a lady as you can get. Appearance aside, there was nothing feminine about her, not in the way she acts that looked like a regular girl, so romance was always off the table for her, people prefers the cute and cuddling yet, but not another comrade. It felt kind of weird being treated this way, it makes her flushes up a bit, but she shakes it away. That is just ordinary manner. No way, Kit, I didn't even know him for this long and he does not appear to be that kind of guy.

....

Until she realized that he didn't open the door for her, no, he was concerned about something with her. At that, Starlight raises up one of her eyebrow as if to challenge him, what was the matter? And I emphasis this again, there was nothing wrong with the way she looked, beside being slightly dirty from camping outside for far too long. Nevertheless, that was no reason to stare. And if he somehow think that this place is dangerous and brings her here anyway, well, maybe it is time for a demonstration of her skills. I don't really get him, don't understand him, so Starlight stops trying to figure out his strange behavior and walks away from him to take in the surrounding. She was somewhat surprised to find so many people at this hour. This establishment, whatever it was, it was darkly lit but even now, in the late evening, the place was packed by people. 

Kit was talking to waitress about something, and then he took a seat by the table, and so Starlight followed suit. She looked at Kit, who is now acting like a gentlemen when talking to the waitress, sometimes under the right lighting, he could look so pretty that he could probably be mistakes as a girl, Starlight thought to herself. Someone like him, probably is one of those people, who would have so many friends, and maybe even an opening relationship.

I can never be that, I will be lucky if I can find one of those relationship. That is so hard for me, fighting monsters would be a lot easier. 

So why would someone like him, who seems so social, to be talking to someone like me? It was so late too. He had already paid for the food and spend the entire night chatting with me, doesn't he want to go home now? Surely I am not all that interesting, my stories are boring and I am not charming in anyway. Is he just being friendly and helpful to a follow survive, or maybe it was a business people's issue, to promote themselves with their knowledge so that they get more clients. Yeah...that makes much more sense than the alternative. Which will be that I did something completely wrong and that he is such a "good person" that he is willing to sacrifice his sleeping time in order to lecture me and correct my mistake.

Hey! That's outrageous, I am perfectly fine by myself, I lived for this long without getting killed, even though my health dropped to red for a bunch of time, but it was the end result that counted right?! And the end result is that, I am still much better off then my opponent.  "I will have you know, even though, I don't know a lot of things, that is no reason to understated me. I am still a capable fighter and I survived this long no problem, so if you want to critic me, save your tongue." Starlight says in less than friendly tone. But it turns out that she had guessed half right. Kit was originally planning to teach her a lesson on how this game works and also, throw in a completely free lesson on the things that she should watch out for.

It takes out that being patient and listening to what people are saying has some good result, she learned a lot from the chat with kit. She also learns that Kit has a horribly smug personality that makes her wanted to punch him in the face, she resisted the urge of course, and that is yet another valuable lesson! On the virtue of patience! By the end of it, Starlight got so tired, she was lacking in sleep and lack in food and has to call it a night early so that she could rest and turn in her solo mission. She gets up and waved to Kit, considering whether she should send a friend request to him.

But friends request, people usually don't take them, and besides, Starlight has a feeling that they will meet again. If not as follow survivors then as merchant competition. 

Starlight gives Kit a smile and waves to him goodbye. She promised to hang out again sometimes, when she was less tired and maybe show him around the Town of the Beginning.

Taking a large Yawn. Starlight says goodbye and walked out of the establishment. The night air was cold, but she felt safe in the safezone, and she didn't even get lost this time. Timingly finding out the place of the NPC, she turned in her quest. The NPC girl was kind enough to lend her her sofa, so that she could stay the night. She thanked her.

And without being a proper lady, she just slept in her cloth on top of the sofa like that, dreaming of boar meats. She was so tired because of this solo mission, and that it would take quite sometimes before she will be willingly leave the bed and face the world again. 

But at least, in her heart, she made a friend and learned a lot.

Tomorrow will be another day, and that she hopes it will be a good one. 

[[GM] Julie]

Thread closed with spring cleaning. One participants active, One rewards distributed.

[[GM] John]

Thread closed due to spring cleaning. This is a flat reward, no bonuses will be added. I apologize in advance for the cut taken to your hard work of the past, however full credit cannot be issued due to the nature the thread ended in. You will be rewarded similarly to how solo threads do just without the cap, enjoy the xp from dead threads

The following players were credited for their posting: Kit

Kitferge word count: 2954
Flat XP rate: 295