Balancing the books (Open)

[Endrin]

Endrin found himself sitting in the tavern with a small book out and ink pen scribbling down notes. He had sold off the monster drops from his last outing and he was starting to get a fair amount of gold. Not a lot of gold, but enough that he was able to get by pretty comfortably now. The food was still horrid and he didn't drink anything but water since it all tasted the same, but he had a nice bed he could sleep in. And a roof over his head, so it was more than he could say for himself a few days ago. He had achieved stability and even had a bit of money to craft and buy basic ingredients should the mood take him. Which he was considering doing. Nothing was really selling well, the economy is too new and everyone was low level still and trying to find their niches. But he did have the idea of handing out some items to random people. Not only would it get his name out there, but it could help people in these low levels where every boost helped tremendously. The amulets he could make did him no good as his abilities were primarily physical in nature where the amulets tended to enhance magical effects. But it would be a good way to make some friends with various casters and healers. And that would be beyond useful for future endeavors.



"Let's see. I have about seven hundred gold pieces right now. If I upgrade my gear to all level five gear that's going to cost me about five hundred gold pieces. Probably a few hundred more if I get it up to level ten. But that would depend on if I can get a deal with a local Blacksmith."



He said tapping his lips with the end of his pen. He didn't really see anyone around in anything higher than level one gear so far though. Most people didn't seem to think it warranted the expense from what he could tell. Though his class was pretty gear dependent. So it might be a bigger deal for him. But it was still hard to justify the expense for it. It was a large percentage of his capital. And he still needed to pay for lodging and food and drinks. Plus the security of having some extra money in the bank so to speak. Just in case of an emergency, he didn't want to be up a creek without a paddle.



"But is it worth the cost of upgrading gear at this level or should I try and find gear from dungeons or something. What kind of drop rate do they have anyways?"



He'd really like to keep a good twenty percent of his net worth stashed away for a rainy day. Not to mention he needed to save up for a house. He didn't want to live in an inn for the rest of his life. He could try and start a guild though and just save up for guild housing with other people. He was pretty sure Kaizer would join. They seemed to get along well enough. But he still wasn't high enough level to start up a guild, and he didn't know enough people. So he'd tuck that away for a later date.

(555 words/claimed)

[hops]

The door to the tavern would be shoved open quite bruskly, as Hops stumbled her way inside with quite the bit of bravado. Yes indeed, tonight was a fine night for the drink. Well, let's be honest, most nights were. She staggered her way along, one foot in front of the other with her chest puffed up and out like she was sauntering into a palace instead of a den of drink. She looked around, whether a voluntary measure or simply a momentary loss of function being a not quite certain thing with how dedicated she was in her actions. Yep, that certainly was a tavern, with a bartender and a dude already here and what the hell is he doing.

Is he writing? Writing in a book? In a tavern? What could you have to write that you do it in here of all places? I mean, was this guy some kind of Hemingway? Hops didn't know a thing about Hemingway, other than he was a writer and liked to drink. Maybe something about misogyny. Most were then though. You know what was sounding pretty good right now? Scotch. Scotch was sounding fantastic.

She came to a stop, staring at this display for at least a good minute before she stumbled her way over to investigate. In Hops head, she would walk over to where this guy was sitting, maybe lean over a bit, and see what this was.

As Hops motor-skills would have it, she stumbled over almost falling over herself, before leaning over his shoulder and popping her head against his, cheek to cheek. Good enough.

Apathetic to personal space and very unwilling to try moving, Hops scoped this book out. It looked like a... budgeting ledger? Yeah, that's a gains and expenses list. Which meant this guy had money.

"Hey." She said, squinting as she tried to make out some of these numbers on the page. "Buy me a drink."

(326 words.)

[Ace]

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh..

A really really reaaally long sighed then coming out from a mouth of a ponytail man who was sitting down not far from the blonde looking knight and the brunette wolf-hair woman.

Yes, it was Liam. And it was the same frustration day of him again, just like yesterday when he was hungry and tried to find a good food, but then after he got it.. Well..... You know.... Just like those people said. Different food, one taste. Actually... maybe the right word for it wasn’t ‘one taste’ but ‘tasteless’. Sheesh. 

Looking forward to the drink that was sitting down at the table in front of him, Liam then started thinking “Will it be like this forever...? Tasteless food or drinks sure aren’t fun things you know.. Sheesh.” Letting his head down to the table in desperation, Liam then started thinking something weird again like—‘will there be a magical new skill that can make food taste.... Well.... Taste like it should be.’ Or maybe ‘there will be a new patch?’ Naaah, that would be almost impossible though, because there’s no sign of Game Masters after this Apocalypse happened, neither a notification of what was going on.

Sigh.

Liam sighed again. “Seriously... I hope this drink has at least another taste......” Raising his head to have another drink, Liam was hoping a miracle happened and changed the taste of his drink into something else other than the tasteless one. Or at least, summon a genie and wished that the food and drinks in this damn world had their own taste, not tasteless like this.... 

But well, it was only just another hope from someone who really desperate for a new taste. “Aaah.... Tasteless drink is tasteless...” hiks. Letting his head down again to the table in frustration, Liam now felt really pitiful, even though that he knew he wasn’t the only one who wished this damn food and damn drinks had taste.. But still..... This was frustrating.

“Hey, buy me a drink.”

“Huh?”

Accidentally, Liam over heard a brunette wolf hair woman was asking a blonde man to buy her a drink meanwhile the woman was... leaning toward the blonde man?

“Sheesh.. even though she already knows it would be tasteless------ oh wait—Will the drink be not tasteless---- naaaah... that will be impossible.....” Hiks. “Tasteless will be tasteless afterall.... Maybe she just wants to flirt that blonde man... or...... maybe that blonde man the one who wants to flirt the woman? ...wait what...?”

Aaaand without Liam even noticed it, he was staring at the couple with confused eyes.

( 430 Words )

[Endrin]

"Well I suppose if I farmed for some gold from monsters I could make up the expenses of the level five armor. But then that would be eating into my big project funds. I suppose I just need to figure out how much of a priority that is for me. I suppose there is no real rush, but I would hate to miss out because I spent all of my money for no reason."

He continued to mumble to himself. Sure an upgrade was important. But he was already level fifteen. If he spent that much money on level five gear he would still be under geared by ten levels. Which was pretty bad. It really made it seem like it wasn't worth the expense considering he would still be in dire need of an upgrade.

That's about when he felt a weight press into him and something warm on his cheek. The smell of various liquors assaulting his nose causing it to crinkle despite himself. Slurred words pouring forth from the woman. Asking, no that wasn't it, telling him to buy her a drink. As if they were old friends and it was her birthday. Like they were out on the town together and he was buying. He didn't even know her name, he had never seen her before in his life. Closing his ledger he scooted slightly away to give his face a little room to move.

Part of him wanted to just tell her to beat it. Or to reach over and give her ass a firm squeeze. If she was drunk and hanging on him, that was kind of an invitation right? But he couldn't do that anymore. So he needed to think of something clever to go with this. What would a knight do? Would he buy her a drink? Would he indulge in her vice? Perhaps not. But he didn't think that a knight would just send her away either. Which left little option.

"Sure, why don't you have a seat."

He said motioning to one of the chairs around the table. He would stand himself since there was now a lady present at the table and from what he recalled it would be impolite to be seated while a lady is standing. He would wait until she had chosen a seat before sitting down once more. Motioning over to the Bartender that had taken his order, which had just been water. He was in no mind to get drunk off of water, he would rather just have the water itself.

"Excuse me good Sir. Could we please get another glass of water for the lady? Thank you."

He said cheerfully before smiling at the woman that had decided to join him this evening. For whatever reason she had to do so.

"Good evening. My name is Endrin, may I inquire as to your name Miss...?"

He asked, trailing off for her to finish and fill in her own name. He thought it would be rude to just click on her profile and look for himself. Basic manners could go a long way, or at least he assumed.

(524 words)

[hops]

As he moves away from her he finds that she's gone full dead weight on him, sliding along as he does with her cheek still pressed up against his. At least, until he gets out of his chair. There's a moment that seems to play in slow motion, as forces that were perhaps delayed upon her body suddenly resume effect. Her eyes do not go wide, nor show any recognition for this impending disaster. Her motor-skills were already hampered, they can only go down from here. Which in a wonderful and momentous display of coincidence, happens to be the direction she goes, ragdolling over the chair with her hips up on the seat, torso and head down on the floor, staring at what was once just textured floors turned reality.

"Hauuuups." She yawns out after a second of collecting her brain up from the floor, pulling herself into what was the vacated chair. "What- Water...? Really?" That gets a reaction out of her. Not the falling and practically faceplanting. The fact that he got her water. Whater.

She rests her elbow on the table, leaning on her fist as she addresses him, the blades of her claws clipping up into her hair as her cheek is pushed upwards. "You got money, but won't buy me a beer even. Rough." She looks pretty unimpressed with this guy. Where was his sense of generosity. She would have bought herself a beer. And that's really what counted here.

What's amazing is she really is completely unphased by her introduction to hardwood flooring though. Wow.

[Besavel]

As if to give my halted

self the hope to move forward

The blonde elf was looking for something or the other. She wasn't quite sure what, but she had the feeling she should find something to do. Looking down at her hands, the girl let out another sigh, as if pressed by something. Her hands could carve up monsters, and carve up wood too. She could build, and she could tear down; it was almost surprising, but welcome in a way, as she walked into a bar. Well, she then opened her inventory, and popped out the order of chairs she had been given. They were crude chairs, but the bar had quite a few bar fights, so it was content with having disposable chairs instead of the really nice ones that would get wasted and broken. Plus it was business for her right?

In any case, the girl turned and noticed a woman and a blonde male. She began to move away, but then his features caught her off guard. She had seen him walk up to the bar and grab a drink. She was floored because he could look like her sibling; in fact, she knew most of her siblings based their real life looks for the game, because it was amusing that way. Shaking her head, she noticed another male staring at them like a fish. Did he find them weird, or something? Besavel felt confused, because social situations weren't her forte. But she decided to do something about it; after all, she couldn't just sit up in the castle of social loneliness forever right?

Walking over to the couple, she took a peak over the male's notebook. Although she wasn't an account, she sort of understood the numbers, as she recognized some, mainly the cost of equipment. That she would understand since she tried to understand those numbers herself, but had a hard time due to lacking the sub class. But lucky for her, basic math would eventually get there, if not taking longer. ''I'd assume these numbers are equipment values? Because these prices are very accurate, but I can see some have gone down as the demand increased, so it was cheaper to mass produce and thus the pricing was adjusted I think. I'm no accountant, but I do travel through the markets every day.. I don't see any monster kill numbers on there though. Are you lacking those?'' she said, not even with an excuse me.

Although she would only realize later how rude she had been. But it made sense since she hadn't dealt with people before, as her head turned to the brown haired male. ''And you, come join over here if you're interested.'' she spoke bluntly. She also didn't take into consideration the fact their presence may not be wanted. And that was a quicker thought in her head, as she frowned to herself. ''Ah, maybe I've been presumptuous. Forgive me.'' she said. Another breath went into her body. Yeah, this was why she didn't get down the castle of social interactions, because she'd become the fool of the court. In any case, Besavel wondered if her interruption would be welcomed or rejected.

She wasn't sure how to feel about the drunk woman, as her face frowned slightly at that. Part of her wanted to admonish the girl, but she was probably a grown woman.. so that wasn't her choice. But Besavel could be concerned for that person's well being, and help if things go south. Of course, not that it would be much help, since this one could take going onto the ground and come back up like nothing happened. Perhaps that girl would be fine.. but that didn't alleviate the worry that was nestled in Besavel's bosom. She would have to keep an eye on all of them just in case.

Because she wouldn't leave anyone behind on her watch.

[/b] Endrin hops Ace
•Words; 0643
•Music; Kirameku Namida wa Hoshi ni :: Tainaka Sachi
•Notes; Hope you all don't mind me stepping in and all; normally I'd wait for ace to post first but I decided to go ahead whilst I had muse. Lemme know if I should wait or not. [#88dfff]
•Credit; PerfectFallacy of Gangnam Style![/div][/ul][/div][/div][/div][/div]

[Ace]

Somehow things turned out awkward for Liam over there. 

As he noticed that he was staring at the duo like an idiot, Liam then shook his head slowly and pulled his body back, resting it to the chair that he sat on as he let out of a sigh. His eyes were now watching the water that was caged in a glass in front of him, and in his head, Liam was thinking maybe it’s time for him to find a friend, well it wasn’t like Liam hadn’t met someone in this world, the truth was that he had met a lot of people in this world.. But… for Liam, they were just simply a ‘people’, they were just like a wind that gently passed away in Liam’s life. In Liam’s opinion, it didn’t have any meanings. What he needed was not just simply a ‘friend’, but a partner.  

Slowly, Liam moved his right hand to the table and took the glass in front of him, watching it carefully before he swirled it up gently as like he was holding a glass that contained high quality of wine, but hence, the truth was it was only simply a glass of water. 

“Oh well… Not all questions can be answered… Time to move on.” 

Liam thought to himself before he put down the glass and slowly stood up from the seat, intending to go from there and searched for something useful out there instead of just sitting down and thinking of something that even himself couldn’t find an answer of it. 

But then, when Liam wanted to step away, suddenly he heard someone was calling him and telling him to join them if Liam interested. 

“Pardon me?” He replied politely, at first he thought that maybe that lady was asking someone else but after Liam was turning his eyes around, positive, it was directed to him. Giving the lady a smile, Liam then put his right hand on his chest, showing the lady of his respect. “Well.. It’s an honour, ma’am. But----“ Liam stopped for a bit and lowered his hand down, resting it on the seat that he sat on before, meanwhile his eyes now moved to the blonde man beside the ladies. “----I think I’ll let the prince enjoy his times more with these two beautiful ladies. It seems that he loves it though.” 

“Right, prince ?” Liam gave them a gentle smile as he kept calling the blonde man with a ‘prince’. 

---

Words      : 416
Notes       : Haha, I don't mind tho, hex. Also, wooo! All hail the muses!

[Endrin]

He didn't mean to make the woman fall! He hadn't been aware that she was so drunk that his body was the only thing keeping her on her feet. She seemed to fall in slow motion while Endrin was frozen, unable to even move from shock that she was making no move to stop her fate of face planting. Her hips moved up against the chair as her head hit the ground and after a moment he seemed to be able to control his body again. He moved down to try and help the poor inebriated woman up, but as he went to assist her she pushed herself up. Completely unphased by the fact that she had just face planted into the floor. Did she even notice? Instead she yawned as she took his chair.

Wait, was that a yawn? No it was a name. Her name? Haups? Hops? Her name was Hops? He was about to clairify that when she reacted to his order of water. That got his attention. So much so that he didn't notice that the blonde woman who was approaching them apparently thought it was okay to grab his book off of the table and start reading it! Those were his private expenses, they were not for people to just pick up and thumb through.

"Excuse me. But that is my personal property."

He said with a small flush as he caught her reading into his ledger, now knowing exactly how much he had to spend and what his income was. His right hand moving toward the woman to grab his book and pull it back to him. Closing it quickly before clearing his throat. Not quite sure how to proceed in this situation. But he didn't feel comfortable discussing what numbers were for what with his income with a total stranger in a bar. Especially when it had not been his intention to share his income with anyone. He had simply thought it would be nice to not take his meal and drink in his room tonight. It appeared to be a miscalculation on his part.

Annoyance streaked across his face as the blonde woman proceeded to invite yet another person to join them as Hops took a jab at him being a cheapskate for not buying her a beer. He took a breath to compose himself as the Blonde apologized for being presumptuous. Perhaps she saw that she was crossing some lines? He wanted to tell them all to scram and leave him alone. But he did not think that would be proper. He needed to remind himself that this was an online game at some point and a lot of people that played these games were lacking in social skills. It was quite likely that she didn't mean offense, even if she was being beyond rude to him. But being rude in return would not do anything, and it would only serve to make him feel guilty for the rest of the night if they took it poorly.

"Yes, quite." He paused a beat before motioning to the table with his left hand as his right hand tucked his book away from prying eyes and sticky fingers. "Please feel free to join me."

Still, he had to wonder what was wrong with these people. Did they think he was an person of the land or something with no sense of privacy or personal space? That he was there to hand out quests or something else? Did they believe his belongings would give insight into the lore. He shook his head slightly at himself, that was silly.

But then the other guy called him Prince. Like he was a Prince? Did he think he was royalty? A look of befuddlement crossed his face as he pondered that. He didn't believe he looked princely, did he? Was that the impression he gave off?

"You are welcome to join us, there is no need to leave on my account. But if you are set on departing then I bid you well."

At least the guy was trying to not intrude on more of his space he supposed. But what an odd bunch of people. Politeness dictated he at least offer him a chance to stay. And if he chose he would entertain him as if he was an invited guest, as he would treat these ladies. For that was the picture of nobility he had in his head. He could not sit while the blonde one stood however.

"You are also welcome to have a seat if you'd like." He offered, waiting for her to either sit down or leave before finding himself a new empty seat, since his was stolen. His evening was not turning out quite like he had hoped it would, that was for sure.

(803 words)

[Okami]

She had been watching the whole time, of course. The crafty little fox-tail had been spending the past while enjoying her newly gained powers, indulging in their ability to let her cause all sorts of wonderful mischief. It was as if they took the smallest, loudest child in the village, and handed them the greatest of the black arts while telling them to 'have fun'. So with all the twisted glee of a deprived peasant given a mountain of gold, the sorcerer stalked her way through buildings and towers, slinking her way through the shadows with nothing more to give her existence away than the brief flash of light that signaled her leave.

So from her hiding place in the rafters, tail swishing with a predatory finesse, Okami watched as the scene played out. Her eye's narrowed and lips were licked, as hunting instincts took over. She was ready, legs bent and hands keeping her steady. The tiny woman was waiting for the right time to bounce her selected target. And when the prince had taken the book away from her, the woman knew her time had come.

"Great Samurai Besavel!" She called out, reading the jump, "In the name of Okami Vi Britannia, I command you to die!" And then she leaped from the rafters with all the majestic grace of a flailing tortoise.

"You are sentenced to death by fluff~!" She cried, before letting her magic take over. And in just a second, the woman was gone.

Her vision exploded into stars. Galaxies spiraling to their ends, stars blazing with all the might of a new born existence, she found her-self pulled through the endless expanse of infinity, twisting her way through the space of reality and being un-ceremoniously dumped back into her digital world. It was, Okami would admit, a beautiful thing to see every time she gave physics the finger to magic her-self across the land. Shame it couldn't let the fox-tail accidentally her-self out of Elder Tales and back home.

She'd already tried.

While the sorcerer might have been falling vertically towards her goal, the momentum had shifted thanks to her spell, sending the girl flying horizontally when she'd blinked back into existence. Okami was flung forward into the back of the samurai, and with all the crazed practice expected of someone who'd invented blink hugs, quickly slipped her arms and legs around the small of the woman's back. "Accept your punishment with dignity and honor~!" She exclaimed, nuzzling her cheeks into Besavel's back.

And then her tails moved in, precise, looking to strike the kill. The glided with the grace of a snake, and felt like the warmth of the sun. The tips touched the side of the elf's sides, brushing against them. This was her ultimate technique, developed through a life-time of big sister Alana delivering punishments unto those who had wronged her (read: siblings). The greatest feat, the actualization of her peak of power, the one true strike that never failed.

Tickle hugs!

---
Word Count: 504
OOC: I regret nothing.

[hops]

"Ayyyyyyyyyyyy_yyyyyyy." Hops gives the dude with the long hair and the woman with the not the sup nod, before putting her hand up to the side of her mouth, loudly not-whispering to Endrin. "You hear that? He thinks I'mma prince."

She sits, absolutely beaming. Man, it felt good to be respected and adored. She takes the water Endrin had been drinking before he vacated his seat, stealing it and drinking that now.

When a woman fell from the roof and teleport hugged the lady, she didn't seem to respond at first. There was at least a 5 second delay on that before she did a spit take, coughing and laughing at what was going on while trying to smack her chest and not choke.

"Hhrrrp HUK Hrk HRK HRKsshshahahahaahahaa!"

[Besavel]

As if to give my halted

self the hope to move forward

Of course, it seemed like everything was either flying off in a weird pattern or Besavel herself was slightly screwy. In fact, the blonde hadn't even realized that she had taken the closed book, and viewed content that had been private. The swiping of the book itself was almost quiet, and well needless to say the girl's mind didn't register the actual book taking what so ever. She hadn't even caught him telling her as such, and even almost straight up ignored it. That's how deep her focus reserves went, at least until the male took the book out of her hand.. after her question of course. But the male hadn't even had the dignity to answer, despite Besavel's rather prompt and well guided thought-line. In fact, it just felt like a mess, but she had moved her attention to the other male.

Of course, the whole prince name thing didn't phase Besavel, and well when the seemingly drunk girl let out a comment, her stony face didn't betray anything. But inside, she had let a small smile break, maybe drunk people were not that bad.. she didn't approve it, but for some people, they had reasons right? Even with that, it was hard to swallow, but she would be fine with such things. The woman then focused on the one that looked like family, and nodded her head. ''Indeed, you are invited, therefore do not run. Meet the invitation head on.. it would be best to all be together.'' she said, almost as if of left field, drawing up a chair for herself and sitting in it. But then her focus became another lens, as she focused on the blonde.

Her green gaze was settled on only him, that when a friend of hers dropped from the sky, and tickled her, she didn't even flinch. In fact, Besavel didn't even move, react, or acknowledge Okami for quite a while, until a tail appeared in her vision. ''Oh. Okami, is that you?'' she questioned, as she grabbed the nearest tail, and petted it. Of course, the sounds of her friend had been convincing at this point, but Besavel wondered when she stood up again? Oh well, the blonde elf didn't need to be super conscious of everything, as her eyes looked over everyone.

But then her attention slid to the blonde, and for the last time, focused. ''Well? I would like an answer to my question, for I believe I may be able to help you.'' she said simply. In fact, she was just like a castle wall. Large, intimidating, but made to protect something inside. That was the exact nature of Besavel's personality, as she just took everyone as they came. Sure it felt strange, almost clustered and non-sensical, but the blonde wanted a particular piece of information, and her stubborn pride would not let her go until she had gotten what that information was.. if only in order to continue forward, and perhaps help this male. But she had a strange feeling in the very deep bottom of her heart.

She didn't belong in this place right here either, did she.

[/b] Endrin hops Ace Okami
•Words; 0526
•Music; Kirameku Namida wa Hoshi ni :: Tainaka Sachi
•Notes; I don't know, Besavel's being weird.. are we sure there's no drugs in this topic? lol. xD [#88dfff]
•Credit; PerfectFallacy of Gangnam Style![/div][/ul][/div][/div][/div][/div]