-last edited on Sept 26, 2018 19:07:50 GMT by ninjagofanmam
Post by ninjagofanmam on Sept 26, 2018 19:04:39 GMT
( Ok I guess I'll do first person since everyone is. ) I hesitate, maybe I'll socializelater actually... I bring up my menu and log out. In the real world I take the equipment off my head and set it aside. I look down at the floor, my baseball cap is right where I left it. I pick it up and put it on my head. It was time to do chores and eat, then I could return to the Gale. I walk over to the other side of my room were three large aquariums line the wall. I get out the fish food and feed my unusual collection, one tank contained large salt water fish, another had small freshwater fish and the last tank had a few goldfish and koi. I then cleaned some things off my floor that I was to lazy to deal with last night and that morning. I put my dirty clothes in my laundry bin and thew away some trash, plus put a poster back on the wall the had fallen off. Once my room was clean I took my laundry bin to the laundry room and put my clothes in the washer. After that I went to the kitchen and made myself a cheese sandwich. It was so quite what with both my parents and sister at work still. I returned to my room and put the gear back on, starting up the system and logging in. I was then back were I was before, not far from the river. Time to see the popular spots. No more hiding from people. I made one goal for myself: Talk to at least one person. I teleported to the city. My heart beat like crazy at the sight of all the players. I had to remind myself that I was wearing a ninja hood, so most people wouldn't be able to see how terrified I really was. Ironically though, if the time came came that I had to speak with someone I would probably be fine. It had happened time and time again in real life where I feared speaking with someone and then when actually did I was fine. But then after that I wasn't fine. Kinda a silly problem, but a real one. I decided to stay out of most players way, if I was going to inoract with someone I wanted it to at least be someone of my choosing. However deep down, I didn't think I'd get that lucky.
(Nah, your introduction was too awesome. Let's just say Kai sort of went to the bar afterwards. LordTigress I'm gonna be over here, okay?)
I head over to the bar, a bit tired after some time of shopping and looking to get a nice drink to cool down. Unfortunately, I wasn't going to be doing any cooling down at the moment.
Kai took off his sunglasses, revealing his dark crimson eyes, and looked at me. I looked at him.
He looked at me.
And I looked at him.
And he looked at me.
And I looked at him.
And he said, "What do you want?"
I said, "Do you work here?"
"Nope, but I can buy you a drink."
"How ironic, I just bought that guy a drink, why would you want to buy me a drink?"
"This is my way of getting to know a friend." He smiled. "What do you want?"
"Um, a marble soda, please," I replied.
"One marble soda coming up," Kai replied, handing the barman some cash. "So tell me...where ya from?"
"Busan," I replied. "South Korea."
"Cool," Kai replied. "I'm from Canada, but I've got a little bit of Vietnamese, Japanese, and Filipino with a pinch of Mexican."
"Um...so," I sighed. "You were being kind of mean to the other guy, but you're being so nice to me. What's up?"
"Well, I...know you better, I guess," he replied with a shrug.
"We've known each other for three hours, Fuego," I replied.
"Longer than this guy," Kai said. "So...tell me more about yourself. Your type? Favorite foods? Ooh, what's it like in Korea?"
"Um...crowded," I replied, "very crowded. My favorite food is mochi ice cream. And...my type? I don't do romance, buddy."
"Then why were you flirting with that guy earlier?" Kai pointed to Kane.
"I wasn't trying flirt, I was just being nice!" I yelled. "I'm sorry if I don't know the difference! I'm absolutely aromantic!"
"Hm," Kai muttered.
"I'm serious! I don't like people! I mean- I don't have any interest in romance! Why- why are you laughing?"
"I've seen some chemistry between you and other players," Kai replied teasingly. "I know you think Lord Sandwich is handsome."
"Do not!"
"And Meimei is a cutie too, isn't she?"
"Maybe to you! Look- I don't do ships- as is relationships, and that's final!"
(Two references in one chapter. Wow. )
(Alrighty then! )
Taking out the lollipop stick, I give Nick a small nod of thanks as he returns with our orders. A bottle of sparkling water slides into my open hand while the new arrival grabs his marble soda off the countertop, sipping on the liquid between breaks of his conversation with the angry dude. Fuego looks a lot more relaxed than he was earlier. Maybe he and Mochipanda are good friends…close enough to joke about relationships, anyways.
“Weirdos,” I mumble as I take a gulp of my own drink, only to spit it out as soon as I taste it. Blueberry. It’s blueberry. I shoot Nick a glare. He shrugs.
“Be careful what you say about ‘em, Kane.” “Why?” I push the bottle away, annoyed.
Nick lowers his voice. “They don’t look much, but they’re experts. That guy right there?” He directs my gaze toward Fuego. “He’s the top player of them fightin’ rings. Champion for about six months now. No one can take him down.”
“Really now?” I place the candy stick back into my mouth, readjusting my hat as I study the duo from a distance.
This just got more interesting.
(Man, now I wish I know more references. )
"I'm no champion, but I am an expert," I bragged. "It only took me a bit to figure out all the controls, so I know a lot of secrets. Want me to teach you a bit?"
"Nah," Kai replied. "I'm good. I already know enough to get by around here."
"Are you sure you don't want to learn a few tricks?" I asked. "I know 'em all. Hunted down every Easter egg."
"Eh, fine," Kai replied. "Where can I find a sick pair of sunglasses?"
"Oh, check the shop, they've got some pretty sweet shades," I replied. As he made for the door, I added, "Your interface shop."
"Wait, there's a-"
"This is a video game," I replied. "Duh. There's gonna be irregular stuff."
"Ugh, technology," Kai muttered under his breath as he began to search for the shop in his menu. I pointed to it, and he tapped it and began reading through. "Ah! These are perfect." He then raised an eyebrow. "Wait.. where do I find my inventory?"
"Your currency amount is shown right there," I replied, pointing to the corner of the screen.
"Wait- how do I have so much?"
"Probably from all the matches you participated in," I replied. "Maybe they give out prize money?"
"Prize money, huh?" Kai bought the sunglasses and equipped them. He turned to the barman. "One taro boba, please."
He sipped his boba, and the bar door swung open; Jay came in, Cole and Nya after him.
"Hope we're not too late to the party," Cole said as he sat down beside Kai. "I'll take a boba, vanilla flavored, regular tapioca pearls." He said to the barman.
"Wow, you're acting professional," Jay whispered to his muscular friend as he sat by him too. "Ahem. I'll have a ginger iced tea with those little ginger bits in it, in a tall glass with a thick straw."
When I looked at him curiously, he shrugged and casually sipped his tea.
OoC: Now that Con's gone, this basically just became a Girl's Club in here. Now I'm laughing because three out of four girls' characters are guys, and we're all trying to do guy-talk to each other.
Oh yeah you're right!
Yup. Although there is a girl on my team, she seems to be alone. If you want you can play a few secondary characters.
( Ok I guess I'll do first person since everyone is. ) I hesitate, maybe I'll socializelater actually... I bring up my menu and log out. In the real world I take the equipment off my head and set it aside. I look down at the floor, my baseball cap is right where I left it. I pick it up and put it on my head. It was time to do chores and eat, then I could return to the Gale. I walk over to the other side of my room were three large aquariums line the wall. I get out the fish food and feed my unusual collection, one tank contained large salt water fish, another had small freshwater fish and the last tank had a few goldfish and koi. I then cleaned some things off my floor that I was to lazy to deal with last night and that morning. I put my dirty clothes in my laundry bin and thew away some trash, plus put a poster back on the wall the had fallen off. Once my room was clean I took my laundry bin to the laundry room and put my clothes in the washer. After that I went to the kitchen and made myself a cheese sandwich. It was so quite what with both my parents and sister at work still. I returned to my room and put the gear back on, starting up the system and logging in. I was then back were I was before, not far from the river. Time to see the popular spots. No more hiding from people. I made one goal for myself: Talk to at least one person. I teleported to the city. My heart beat like crazy at the sight of all the players. I had to remind myself that I was wearing a ninja hood, so most people wouldn't be able to see how terrified I really was. Ironically though, if the time came came that I had to speak with someone I would probably be fine. It had happened time and time again in real life where I feared speaking with someone and then when actually did I was fine. But then after that I wasn't fine. Kinda a silly problem, but a real one. I decided to stay out of most players way, if I was going to inoract with someone I wanted it to at least be someone of my choosing. However deep down, I didn't think I'd get that lucky.
Reminds me of a WALK THE MOON album, called "Talking is Hard."
With the others gone to the bar, I decide to leave and see if I can find some game or whatever to get me some extra points. I'm always ready to put myself to the limits, even when I have no idea what I'm doing. In the bustling crowd of the Gale, it's hard to watch where you're going. Thus I run into a guy in a ninja hood, and we both go tumbling onto the ground. I scramble to my feet, feeling flustered. "Sorry about that." I mutter as I reach out one hand to help him up.
With the others gone to the bar, I decide to leave and see if I can find some game or whatever to get me some extra points. I'm always ready to put myself to the limits, even when I have no idea what I'm doing. In the bustling crowd of the Gale, it's hard to watch where you're going. Thus I run into a guy in a ninja hood, and we both go tumbling onto the ground. I scramble to my feet, feeling flustered. "Sorry about that." I mutter as I reach out one hand to help him up.
The stranger I bumped into helped me off the ground and I instinctively brushed myself off. " It's ok. I'm sorry too, that was mostly my fault. " I said as I checked that my navy blue ninja hood was still snug on my head. This person was wearing a medieval fantasy outfit and appeared to be about my age. I figured I'd better introduce myself before my shy nature kicked in. I stuck out my hand and was about to introduce myself with my real name but then reminded myself last second I had a username I could use instead. " I'm ChromeFin. "
Taking out the lollipop stick, I give Nick a small nod of thanks as he returns with our orders. A bottle of sparkling water slides into my open hand while the new arrival grabs his marble soda off the countertop, sipping on the liquid between breaks of his conversation with the angry dude. Fuego looks a lot more relaxed than he was earlier. Maybe he and Mochipanda are good friends…close enough to joke about relationships, anyways.
“Weirdos,” I mumble as I take a gulp of my own drink, only to spit it out as soon as I taste it. Blueberry. It’s blueberry. I shoot Nick a glare. He shrugs.
“Be careful what you say about ‘em, Kane.” “Why?” I push the bottle away, annoyed.
Nick lowers his voice. “They don’t look much, but they’re experts. That guy right there?” He directs my gaze toward Fuego. “He’s the top player of them fightin’ rings. Champion for about six months now. No one can take him down.”
“Really now?” I place the candy stick back into my mouth, readjusting my hat as I study the duo from a distance.
This just got more interesting.
(Man, now I wish I know more references. )
"I'm no champion, but I am an expert," I bragged. "It only took me a bit to figure out all the controls, so I know a lot of secrets. Want me to teach you a bit?"
"Nah," Kai replied. "I'm good. I already know enough to get by around here."
"Are you sure you don't want to learn a few tricks?" I asked. "I know 'em all. Hunted down every Easter egg."
"Eh, fine," Kai replied. "Where can I find a sick pair of sunglasses?"
"Oh, check the shop, they've got some pretty sweet shades," I replied. As he made for the door, I added, "Your interface shop."
"Wait, there's a-"
"This is a video game," I replied. "Duh. There's gonna be irregular stuff."
"Ugh, technology," Kai muttered under his breath as he began to search for the shop in his menu. I pointed to it, and he tapped it and began reading through. "Ah! These are perfect." He then raised an eyebrow. "Wait.. where do I find my inventory?"
"Your currency amount is shown right there," I replied, pointing to the corner of the screen.
"Wait- how do I have so much?"
"Probably from all the matches you participated in," I replied. "Maybe they give out prize money?"
"Prize money, huh?" Kai bought the sunglasses and equipped them. He turned to the barman. "One taro boba, please."
He sipped his boba, and the bar door swung open; Jay came in, Cole and Nya after him.
"Hope we're not too late to the party," Cole said as he sat down beside Kai. "I'll take a boba, vanilla flavored, regular tapioca pearls." He said to the barman.
"Wow, you're acting professional," Jay whispered to his muscular friend as he sat by him too. "Ahem. I'll have a ginger iced tea with those little ginger bits in it, in a tall glass with a thick straw."
When I looked at him curiously, he shrugged and casually sipped his tea.
"I'll have an unsweetened black tea," Nya added.
Three more players arrive and join us by the counter…friends of the duo, no doubt. The empty bar is soon filled by their cheerful banters, and slowly, I begin to relax, the tension before forgotten. I let myself listen along to their conversations, scanning through their usernames one by one. DangerBuff, blu-bell, waterl1ly…they look familiar, but from where?
“Kane?” Nick pauses from his work, cloth and glass in hand. “You alright, buddy?”
“Huh? Y-yeah.” I take another gulp, a smaller sip this time. The blueberry drink fizzles gently in my mouth, and I find it a lot less sweet. “Just thinking.”
“How long ‘ave you been here? Online?” The bartender asks. “You’re not actin’ like yourself.”
“Not long. Seven hours, tops?” I toy with the bottle, shrugging. Half of my daily routine is usually dedicated to the Gale, and I occupy the rest with little else. Life after the Change threw the world into chaos, and having the Gale here, by my side…it has become my coping mechanism, I suppose. There’s no point in waking up in reality.
Nick grabs the bottle away from me without warning, his face an emotionless mask as he suggests me to log out. “Take a walk outside, bud. Drink some water.”
“I just did. You stay on 24-hour, anyways. What’s the deal?”
“I stay because I work here. You don’t.” Nick states flatly. “You’re headin’ to a cliff here, Kane. You gotta stop somewhere. And payin’ that stinkin’ tab would be a great start.”
“Fine, fine. Whateves.” I back away from the counter and rise from my seat, the lollipop stick now a paper mess. The screen flickers, the transaction completed. Now for my next step.
I stroll over to Fuego, still drinking his boba. He looks up, sending glances to Mochi and his other friends. “What do you want now?”
I give an innocent smile. “How ‘bout a little challenge?"
"I'm no champion, but I am an expert," I bragged. "It only took me a bit to figure out all the controls, so I know a lot of secrets. Want me to teach you a bit?"
"Nah," Kai replied. "I'm good. I already know enough to get by around here."
"Are you sure you don't want to learn a few tricks?" I asked. "I know 'em all. Hunted down every Easter egg."
"Eh, fine," Kai replied. "Where can I find a sick pair of sunglasses?"
"Oh, check the shop, they've got some pretty sweet shades," I replied. As he made for the door, I added, "Your interface shop."
"Wait, there's a-"
"This is a video game," I replied. "Duh. There's gonna be irregular stuff."
"Ugh, technology," Kai muttered under his breath as he began to search for the shop in his menu. I pointed to it, and he tapped it and began reading through. "Ah! These are perfect." He then raised an eyebrow. "Wait.. where do I find my inventory?"
"Your currency amount is shown right there," I replied, pointing to the corner of the screen.
"Wait- how do I have so much?"
"Probably from all the matches you participated in," I replied. "Maybe they give out prize money?"
"Prize money, huh?" Kai bought the sunglasses and equipped them. He turned to the barman. "One taro boba, please."
He sipped his boba, and the bar door swung open; Jay came in, Cole and Nya after him.
"Hope we're not too late to the party," Cole said as he sat down beside Kai. "I'll take a boba, vanilla flavored, regular tapioca pearls." He said to the barman.
"Wow, you're acting professional," Jay whispered to his muscular friend as he sat by him too. "Ahem. I'll have a ginger iced tea with those little ginger bits in it, in a tall glass with a thick straw."
When I looked at him curiously, he shrugged and casually sipped his tea.
"I'll have an unsweetened black tea," Nya added.
Three more players arrive and join us by the counter…friends of the duo, no doubt. The empty bar is soon filled by their cheerful banters, and slowly, I begin to relax, the tension before forgotten. I let myself listen along to their conversations, scanning through their usernames one by one. DangerBuff, blu-bell, waterl1ly…they look familiar, but from where?
“Kane?” Nick pauses from his work, cloth and glass in hand. “You alright, buddy?”
“Huh? Y-yeah.” I take another gulp, a smaller sip this time. The blueberry drink fizzles gently in my mouth, and I find it a lot less sweet. “Just thinking.”
“How long ‘ave you been here? Online?” The bartender asks. “You’re not actin’ like yourself.”
“Not long. Seven hours, tops?” I toy with the bottle, shrugging. Half of my daily routine is usually dedicated to the Gale, and I occupy the rest with little else. Life after the Change threw the world into chaos, and having the Gale here, by my side…it has become my coping mechanism, I suppose. There’s no point in waking up in reality.
Nick grabs the bottle away from me without warning, his face an emotionless mask as he suggests me to log out. “Take a walk outside, bud. Drink some water.”
“I just did. You stay on 24-hour, anyways. What’s the deal?”
“I stay because I work here. You don’t.” Nick states flatly. “You’re headin’ to a cliff here, Kane. You gotta stop somewhere. And payin’ that stinkin’ tab would be a great start.”
“Fine, fine. Whateves.” I back away from the counter and rise from my seat, the lollipop stick now a paper mess. The screen flickers, the transaction completed. Now for my next step.
I stroll over to Fuego, still drinking his boba. He looks up, sending glances to Mochi and his other friends. “What do you want now?”
I give an innocent smile. “How ‘bout a little challenge?"
"What kind?" I asked.
"He wasn't talking to you," Kai told me. He looked at Kane. "What kind of challenge?"
Jay looked up from his half-finished tea. "Um...I'd be a lot more comfortable if it was, like, an eating contest or something. Oh, or are you guys gonna race? I'm sorry, I don't like to think of you getting hurt - or worse - smashed." He shuttered.
"Blu, are you alright?" Kai asked, concerned for his friend. "You're not really yourself lately."
"Yeah, I...I just...I care about you and all, so...I really don't want you to get hurt."
"But you would usually be all for a challenge," Kai admitted. "You were the one who was acting all positive during the Tour...er...this one...thing we did..."
"Eheh..." Jay cleared his throat and shrugged. "That was to make me feel better. I was terrified. Positive thinking still sort of helps me cope with what's bad...I mean, as long as I'm just seeing the brighter side and not drowning myself in fantasy."
"Yeah, that time you did let go of reality was...ahem...a strange experience, to say the least," Kai admitted. "But... wouldn't you normally like to see a fighting competition?"
"Yeah, it can be fun," he replied, "I guess I'm just...kind of a worrywart, is all."
"Jay, getting hurt doesn't even really hurt here, or at least it doesn't harm you," Kai told him. "Maybe you could participate in a fight sometime, up your game a bit..."
"Considering the skill of some of these players, I probably wouldn't last," he replied with a melancholic expression.
"You're the best at video games I know," Kai replied. "You've gotta know some moves."
"I've got some stuff I learned in real life, I guess," Jay replied. "Probably everything you've seen before."
"You can use your l-"
"Shh, shh!" Jay cut in. "We could accidentally give ourselves away!"
"We already look like ourselves. Mochi here already sorta figured it out. I didn't know we had anything to give away anymore." He shrugged, then looked at Kane. "So about that challenge...what kind is it?"
Three more players arrive and join us by the counter…friends of the duo, no doubt. The empty bar is soon filled by their cheerful banters, and slowly, I begin to relax, the tension before forgotten. I let myself listen along to their conversations, scanning through their usernames one by one. DangerBuff, blu-bell, waterl1ly…they look familiar, but from where?
“Kane?” Nick pauses from his work, cloth and glass in hand. “You alright, buddy?”
“Huh? Y-yeah.” I take another gulp, a smaller sip this time. The blueberry drink fizzles gently in my mouth, and I find it a lot less sweet. “Just thinking.”
“How long ‘ave you been here? Online?” The bartender asks. “You’re not actin’ like yourself.”
“Not long. Seven hours, tops?” I toy with the bottle, shrugging. Half of my daily routine is usually dedicated to the Gale, and I occupy the rest with little else. Life after the Change threw the world into chaos, and having the Gale here, by my side…it has become my coping mechanism, I suppose. There’s no point in waking up in reality.
Nick grabs the bottle away from me without warning, his face an emotionless mask as he suggests me to log out. “Take a walk outside, bud. Drink some water.”
“I just did. You stay on 24-hour, anyways. What’s the deal?”
“I stay because I work here. You don’t.” Nick states flatly. “You’re headin’ to a cliff here, Kane. You gotta stop somewhere. And payin’ that stinkin’ tab would be a great start.”
“Fine, fine. Whateves.” I back away from the counter and rise from my seat, the lollipop stick now a paper mess. The screen flickers, the transaction completed. Now for my next step.
I stroll over to Fuego, still drinking his boba. He looks up, sending glances to Mochi and his other friends. “What do you want now?”
I give an innocent smile. “How ‘bout a little challenge?"
"What kind?" I asked.
"He wasn't talking to you," Kai told me. He looked at Kane. "What kind of challenge?"
Jay looked up from his half-finished tea. "Um...I'd be a lot more comfortable if it was, like, an eating contest or something. Oh, or are you guys gonna race? I'm sorry, I don't like to think of you getting hurt - or worse - smashed." He shuttered.
"Blu, are you alright?" Kai asked, concerned for his friend. "You're not really yourself lately."
"Yeah, I...I just...I care about you and all, so...I really don't want you to get hurt."
"But you would usually be all for a challenge," Kai admitted. "You were the one who was acting all positive during the Tour...er...this one...thing we did..."
"Eheh..." Jay cleared his throat and shrugged. "That was to make me feel better. I was terrified. Positive thinking still sort of helps me cope with what's bad...I mean, as long as I'm just seeing the brighter side and not drowning myself in fantasy."
"Yeah, that time you did let go of reality was...ahem...a strange experience, to say the least," Kai admitted. "But... wouldn't you normally like to see a fighting competition?"
"Yeah, it can be fun," he replied, "I guess I'm just...kind of a worrywart, is all."
"Jay, getting hurt doesn't even really hurt here, or at least it doesn't harm you," Kai told him. "Maybe you could participate in a fight sometime, up your game a bit..."
"Considering the skill of some of these players, I probably wouldn't last," he replied with a melancholic expression.
"You're the best at video games I know," Kai replied. "You've gotta know some moves."
"I've got some stuff I learned in real life, I guess," Jay replied. "Probably everything you've seen before."
"You can use your l-"
"Shh, shh!" Jay cut in. "We could accidentally give ourselves away!"
"We already look like ourselves. Mochi here already sorta figured it out. I didn't know we had anything to give away anymore." He shrugged, then looked at Kane. "So about that challenge...what kind is it?"
OOC: Do elemental powers work in the Gale? Just cerious.
"He wasn't talking to you," Kai told me. He looked at Kane. "What kind of challenge?"
Jay looked up from his half-finished tea. "Um...I'd be a lot more comfortable if it was, like, an eating contest or something. Oh, or are you guys gonna race? I'm sorry, I don't like to think of you getting hurt - or worse - smashed." He shuttered.
"Blu, are you alright?" Kai asked, concerned for his friend. "You're not really yourself lately."
"Yeah, I...I just...I care about you and all, so...I really don't want you to get hurt."
"But you would usually be all for a challenge," Kai admitted. "You were the one who was acting all positive during the Tour...er...this one...thing we did..."
"Eheh..." Jay cleared his throat and shrugged. "That was to make me feel better. I was terrified. Positive thinking still sort of helps me cope with what's bad...I mean, as long as I'm just seeing the brighter side and not drowning myself in fantasy."
"Yeah, that time you did let go of reality was...ahem...a strange experience, to say the least," Kai admitted. "But... wouldn't you normally like to see a fighting competition?"
"Yeah, it can be fun," he replied, "I guess I'm just...kind of a worrywart, is all."
"Jay, getting hurt doesn't even really hurt here, or at least it doesn't harm you," Kai told him. "Maybe you could participate in a fight sometime, up your game a bit..."
"Considering the skill of some of these players, I probably wouldn't last," he replied with a melancholic expression.
"You're the best at video games I know," Kai replied. "You've gotta know some moves."
"I've got some stuff I learned in real life, I guess," Jay replied. "Probably everything you've seen before."
"You can use your l-"
"Shh, shh!" Jay cut in. "We could accidentally give ourselves away!"
"We already look like ourselves. Mochi here already sorta figured it out. I didn't know we had anything to give away anymore." He shrugged, then looked at Kane. "So about that challenge...what kind is it?"
OOC: Do elemental powers work in the Gale? Just cerious.
In a way...their physical powers might harm the game a bit, but they've sort of got them in digital form, so yeah.
Three more players arrive and join us by the counter…friends of the duo, no doubt. The empty bar is soon filled by their cheerful banters, and slowly, I begin to relax, the tension before forgotten. I let myself listen along to their conversations, scanning through their usernames one by one. DangerBuff, blu-bell, waterl1ly…they look familiar, but from where?
“Kane?” Nick pauses from his work, cloth and glass in hand. “You alright, buddy?”
“Huh? Y-yeah.” I take another gulp, a smaller sip this time. The blueberry drink fizzles gently in my mouth, and I find it a lot less sweet. “Just thinking.”
“How long ‘ave you been here? Online?” The bartender asks. “You’re not actin’ like yourself.”
“Not long. Seven hours, tops?” I toy with the bottle, shrugging. Half of my daily routine is usually dedicated to the Gale, and I occupy the rest with little else. Life after the Change threw the world into chaos, and having the Gale here, by my side…it has become my coping mechanism, I suppose. There’s no point in waking up in reality.
Nick grabs the bottle away from me without warning, his face an emotionless mask as he suggests me to log out. “Take a walk outside, bud. Drink some water.”
“I just did. You stay on 24-hour, anyways. What’s the deal?”
“I stay because I work here. You don’t.” Nick states flatly. “You’re headin’ to a cliff here, Kane. You gotta stop somewhere. And payin’ that stinkin’ tab would be a great start.”
“Fine, fine. Whateves.” I back away from the counter and rise from my seat, the lollipop stick now a paper mess. The screen flickers, the transaction completed. Now for my next step.
I stroll over to Fuego, still drinking his boba. He looks up, sending glances to Mochi and his other friends. “What do you want now?”
I give an innocent smile. “How ‘bout a little challenge?"
"What kind?" I asked.
"He wasn't talking to you," Kai told me. He looked at Kane. "What kind of challenge?"
Jay looked up from his half-finished tea. "Um...I'd be a lot more comfortable if it was, like, an eating contest or something. Oh, or are you guys gonna race? I'm sorry, I don't like to think of you getting hurt - or worse - smashed." He shuttered.
"Blu, are you alright?" Kai asked, concerned for his friend. "You're not really yourself lately."
"Yeah, I...I just...I care about you and all, so...I really don't want you to get hurt."
"But you would usually be all for a challenge," Kai admitted. "You were the one who was acting all positive during the Tour...er...this one...thing we did..."
"Eheh..." Jay cleared his throat and shrugged. "That was to make me feel better. I was terrified. Positive thinking still sort of helps me cope with what's bad...I mean, as long as I'm just seeing the brighter side and not drowning myself in fantasy."
"Yeah, that time you did let go of reality was...ahem...a strange experience, to say the least," Kai admitted. "But... wouldn't you normally like to see a fighting competition?"
"Yeah, it can be fun," he replied, "I guess I'm just...kind of a worrywart, is all."
"Jay, getting hurt doesn't even really hurt here, or at least it doesn't harm you," Kai told him. "Maybe you could participate in a fight sometime, up your game a bit..."
"Considering the skill of some of these players, I probably wouldn't last," he replied with a melancholic expression.
"You're the best at video games I know," Kai replied. "You've gotta know some moves."
"I've got some stuff I learned in real life, I guess," Jay replied. "Probably everything you've seen before."
"You can use your l-"
"Shh, shh!" Jay cut in. "We could accidentally give ourselves away!"
"We already look like ourselves. Mochi here already sorta figured it out. I didn't know we had anything to give away anymore." He shrugged, then looked at Kane. "So about that challenge...what kind is it?"
“A fun one. Practically harmless, too,” I answer, reassuring Blu. “After all, it’s just a game. You can always heal yourself later on. Nick here has all the potions you need.”
“…Don’t overdo it.” Nick flashes me a look. I decide to ignore it.
“Besides, you’re the ninjas, right? No wonder you topped the charts in just a couple of months! I bet you’ll knock me out in a sec.”
Fuego—or should I say, Kai—gives Blu a “I-told-you-so” expression, and the latter buries his face in folded arms, clearly disheartened. The rest of the group finally drops the façade and continue drinking their beverages, though a bit uneasy.
The water nymph nudges the blue ninja gently, as if hoping to raise his spirits. “TBH, our cover wasn’t really put together at the start. But I think we’ll be okay as long as we stick together. Right, Jay?”
“Sure, Nya. Sure.”
“Well,” Fuego turns his attention back to me, intrigued. “What’s in it for me?”
“Just…practice, really. You can go all out at the Tavern rings since it’s a fight club. I merely want to witness your skills first hand. But hey, I’ll do you one better---” I open my screen. The leaderboards pop out before the entire group, and Kai’s eyes light up.
“You? You’re the champion here?”
“For the past three months. I’m more or less a noob.” I smirk. “If you win, you gain an extra title under your belt. And credit too. How’s that sound?”
He frowns. “What are you getting from this?”
“Entertainment. Improvement.” I nod toward Mochi. “…and one step closer to beating experts like Mr. Panda here. I think I’ll be satisfied for the week. Plus…” I lower my voice. “I think a little win from you might cheer your friend up. So what do ya say?”
"He wasn't talking to you," Kai told me. He looked at Kane. "What kind of challenge?"
Jay looked up from his half-finished tea. "Um...I'd be a lot more comfortable if it was, like, an eating contest or something. Oh, or are you guys gonna race? I'm sorry, I don't like to think of you getting hurt - or worse - smashed." He shuttered.
"Blu, are you alright?" Kai asked, concerned for his friend. "You're not really yourself lately."
"Yeah, I...I just...I care about you and all, so...I really don't want you to get hurt."
"But you would usually be all for a challenge," Kai admitted. "You were the one who was acting all positive during the Tour...er...this one...thing we did..."
"Eheh..." Jay cleared his throat and shrugged. "That was to make me feel better. I was terrified. Positive thinking still sort of helps me cope with what's bad...I mean, as long as I'm just seeing the brighter side and not drowning myself in fantasy."
"Yeah, that time you did let go of reality was...ahem...a strange experience, to say the least," Kai admitted. "But... wouldn't you normally like to see a fighting competition?"
"Yeah, it can be fun," he replied, "I guess I'm just...kind of a worrywart, is all."
"Jay, getting hurt doesn't even really hurt here, or at least it doesn't harm you," Kai told him. "Maybe you could participate in a fight sometime, up your game a bit..."
"Considering the skill of some of these players, I probably wouldn't last," he replied with a melancholic expression.
"You're the best at video games I know," Kai replied. "You've gotta know some moves."
"I've got some stuff I learned in real life, I guess," Jay replied. "Probably everything you've seen before."
"You can use your l-"
"Shh, shh!" Jay cut in. "We could accidentally give ourselves away!"
"We already look like ourselves. Mochi here already sorta figured it out. I didn't know we had anything to give away anymore." He shrugged, then looked at Kane. "So about that challenge...what kind is it?"
“A fun one. Practically harmless, too,” I answer, reassuring Blu. “After all, it’s just a game. You can always heal yourself later on. Nick here has all the potions you need.”
“…Don’t overdo it.” Nick flashes me a look. I decide to ignore it.
“Besides, you’re the ninjas, right? No wonder you topped the charts in just a couple of months! I bet you’ll knock me out in a sec.”
Fuego—or should I say, Kai—gives Blu a “I-told-you-so” expression, and the latter buries his face in folded arms, clearly disheartened. The rest of the group finally drops the façade and continue drinking their beverages, though a bit uneasy.
The water nymph nudges the blue ninja gently, as if hoping to raise his spirits. “TBH, our cover wasn’t really put together at the start. But I think we’ll be okay as long as we stick together. Right, Jay?”
“Sure, Nya. Sure.”
“Well,” Fuego turns his attention back to me, intrigued. “What’s in it for me?”
“Just…practice, really. You can go all out at the Tavern rings since it’s a fight club. I merely want to witness your skills first hand. But hey, I’ll do you one better---” I open my screen. The leaderboards pop out before the entire group, and Kai’s eyes light up.
“You? You’re the champion here?”
“For the past three months. I’m more or less a noob.” I smirk. “If you win, you gain an extra title under your belt. And credit too. How’s that sound?”
He frowns. “What are you getting from this?”
“Entertainment. Improvement.” I nod toward Mochi. “…and one step closer to beating experts like Mr. Panda here. I think I’ll be satisfied for the week. Plus…” I lower my voice. “I think a little win from you might cheer your friend up. So what do ya say?”
"I guess I'm getting a little competition for once," Kai replies. "I like it."
Jay nods. "We'll be cheering you on. Mochi?" He turns to me.
"I would say something but I don't know which side I'm on," I confess. "Usually I just go with the winning side to be honest."
"Oh," Jay replies. "I get that."
"Yup. Just like, 'go team!'" I chuckle. "Besides, it's not like any of my folks are showing up anytime soon."
Jay chuckles too. Nya goes into her interface and changes her hair to a messy black ponytail. Jay watches her.
"Hey, should I put highlights in my hair?" she asks her boyfriend.
"Um...well..." Jay blushed a bit. "That would be kinda cute, heh."
She makes some adjustments, and her hair has some blue at the tips. I was going to comment on that, but simply clear my throat, not wanting to give myself away.
Jay clears his throat too, blushing and averting his eyes. It's clear that even if they've been together for a long time, he still has a huge crush on her, butterflies and all. For someone as extroverted and mouthy as him, it's pretty surprising he'd be so shy and awkward.
Jay decides to replace his old outfit with something more casual; a loose long-sleeved shirt and some slim jeans. Cole gets rid of that ridiculous mustache and changes into a hoodie and jeans at the touch of a button. Jay looks at Cole and says, "Well, I guess you've given up the whole 'Rocky Dangerbuff' thing?"
"It's not like I could keep it up for long," he replied. "It's kind of silly anyways, a teenager like me wearing a moustache like that."
"I thought you were twenty," Jay replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Nah, I'm nineteen," Cole replied.
"You're still the second oldest though," Jay replied.
"Really?" Cole asked.
"Yeah," Jay said. "Lloyd is 15, Nya is 16, I'm 17 and Kai is 18, so that would put you as being just after Zane, if we're talking oldest to youngest."
"You're seventeen?" Cole asked. "You look, I dunno, like...fourteen?"
"Heh heh...I mean, people tell me I'm baby-faced, so that might be it..." He looked down at himself, and I looked at him. Yeah...he was pretty young-looking; the fact that he was short and skinny probably didn't help.
"Hey, weren't you guys gonna watch Kai compete?" I asked.
With the others gone to the bar, I decide to leave and see if I can find some game or whatever to get me some extra points. I'm always ready to put myself to the limits, even when I have no idea what I'm doing. In the bustling crowd of the Gale, it's hard to watch where you're going. Thus I run into a guy in a ninja hood, and we both go tumbling onto the ground. I scramble to my feet, feeling flustered. "Sorry about that." I mutter as I reach out one hand to help him up.
The stranger I bumped into helped me off the ground and I instinctively brushed myself off. " It's ok. I'm sorry too, that was mostly my fault. " I said as I checked that my navy blue ninja hood was still snug on my head. This person was wearing a medieval fantasy outfit and appeared to be about my age. I figured I'd better introduce myself before my shy nature kicked in. I stuck out my hand and was about to introduce myself with my real name but then reminded myself last second I had a username I could use instead. " I'm ChromeFin. "
I grant a small smile, hoping it'll help brush away the awkwardness of the literal run-in. I shake his hand, replying. "Nice to meet you -- aside from the bump in the head, I mean." I chuckle briefly to to show I'm joking. "I'm 101DarkSandwichLord, or Lord Sandwich."
The stranger I bumped into helped me off the ground and I instinctively brushed myself off. " It's ok. I'm sorry too, that was mostly my fault. " I said as I checked that my navy blue ninja hood was still snug on my head. This person was wearing a medieval fantasy outfit and appeared to be about my age. I figured I'd better introduce myself before my shy nature kicked in. I stuck out my hand and was about to introduce myself with my real name but then reminded myself last second I had a username I could use instead. " I'm ChromeFin. "
I grant a small smile, hoping it'll help brush away the awkwardness of the literal run-in. I shake his hand, replying. "Nice to meet you -- aside from the bump in the head, I mean." I chuckle briefly to to show I'm joking. "I'm 101DarkSandwichLord, or Lord Sandwich."
I grin at his good humor. " Nice to meet you too. Say, I don't know where you're going or what you're doing but would you like to go and try to beat a level? I've never teamed up and done multiplayer style before, and it'd be neat to try. " I had gone through a quite a few levels on my own, however there were some that seemed to be made for more than one player. For example you couldn't get some items in one level unless you had two people pulling two different levers at the same time. Basically you can beat every level on you're own, but there are many benefits to teaming up. However I just wanted a friend and the experience, and so I could at least tell myself I tried being a team player for once.
I grant a small smile, hoping it'll help brush away the awkwardness of the literal run-in. I shake his hand, replying. "Nice to meet you -- aside from the bump in the head, I mean." I chuckle briefly to to show I'm joking. "I'm 101DarkSandwichLord, or Lord Sandwich."
I grin at his good humor. " Nice to meet you too. Say, I don't know where you're going or what you're doing but would you like to go and try to beat a level? I've never teamed up and done multiplayer style before, and it'd be neat to try. " I had gone through a quite a few levels on my own, however there were some that seemed to be made for more than one player. For example you couldn't get some items in one level unless you had two people pulling two different levers at the same time. Basically you can beat every level on you're own, but there are many benefits to teaming up. However I just wanted a friend and the experience, and so I could at least tell myself I tried being a team player for once.
"Sure, that'd be cool." I say. I'm secretly glad he asked, because I actually have very little idea of what to do to level up or how to find my way around the Gale -- basically, I'm a noob. But you'd never hear me admit it. "Where do we start?"
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Although there is a girl on my team, she seems to be alone. If you want you can play a few secondary characters.
