Post by zantetsuken on May 20, 2014 20:59:39 GMT
ITTOU SENSO
Crouching Samurai, Hidden Katana
Ittou sat atop one of the ruined buildings of Londinium, staring into the horizon as the sun sets. He'd been resting all day and knew he couldn't get any sleep tonight. Looking up unto the night's sky, he took a moment to appreciate its littered stars. They were too many of them this night that he couldn't even tell where the Big Dipper was, let alone locate the North Star. Fortunately however, thanks to the subclass he'd chosen, the Samurai won't have any difficulty in finding his bearings. The landscape, the terrain, every corners and bumps that were in this city would be like reading from the back of his hand. He'd managed to map it all out mentally, just by observing his surroundings. Ittou noticed how quiet and less crowded the city was during the dark. He figured that this might be a good chance for him to look around. Perhaps he could have a better chance to see or find something compared to the search he'd previously made in the daytime.
So Ittou Senso then stood and headed for the stairs to the ground floor. As he walked, the plated armor he wore sounded, announcing his presence and approach with clangs and rattle. The Samurai paused in his track. That's not good. People would definitely hear him coming from quite a long way off. SILENT MOVE, the man then whispered, deadening his steps immediately and admitting no sound whatsoever despite the loud silence of the night where a drop of a pin would sound like the chiming of a bell.
Perhaps I should maintain using this skill for as long as I can and increase its level..
The man knew it was important for him to quickly master this technique. A technique which was usually favored by the Assassin class. Why then have he chosen it, one might ask? Well, for one, Ittou didn't really spend much time thinking strategically about them. There was no reason for him to in the first place. He was simply there because his client have requested him to. Not because he'd known about the game and wanting to try it out. Second, it's probably based of his own line of work. The main class, Samurai, the warrior or protector, like how he was as a bodyguard. The crafting class, Scribe, where his judgement and security matters in knowing the environment kind of relates to. And lastly, the subclass, Tracker, to be stealthy and blend in with the surroundings in order to either gather Intel or get close to his target unseen. His choices were basically intuitive. Somewhat picked by his subconscious mind instead of through careful evaluation or calculation.
Down the last flight of stairs, he heard perhaps a couple of Adventurers chatted around the corner of a wall. "Do you remember that weird sound I told you somebody have heard about, the other day?"
"What weird sound?"
"The one that sounded like a whisper," said the one who initiated the conversation.
"Oh.." the other gasped, somewhat surprised. "What about it?"
"Well, last night, they heard her again.. And as usual, they couldn't find the source.." came the reply.
The subject was sort of interesting. Somewhat amusing in a way. Just thinking about it caused the Samurai to actually attempt at taking the challenge up. Perhaps he could try investigating on that matter. Wanting to know more information, Ittou turned around the corner and approached the couple, a male and a female. It actually took them about a dozen heartbeats to notice him.
"Jesus Christ!" startled the man when he finally spotted Ittou.
"Eek!" yelped his partner after she followed the man's gaze.
"You scared the shit out of me, buddy!" said the Sorcerer before he exchanged looks with the female Guardian.
"..." the girl said nothing other than some nods of agreement while covering her mouth with both hands.
"It's not my intention really," said Ittou. "But I need to know where exactly they've heard this sound you speak of.." the Samurai inquired with almost an expressionless face, until a loud grumble sounded from his belly.
"First," the Sorcerer chuckled. "I think you need something to eat, come.." the man beckoned. "We have a guild nearby.. Let me grab something inside before we sit somewhere and talk about that..?"
"Sounds good to me," Ittou nodded, slightly ashamed.
As the trio headed towards a building, Ittou noticed how they'd occasionally glanced back over their shoulder to see if he was still following them. It seemed that his silent movements gave the feeling that he wasn't there behind them. Or were they rather in doubt of whether or not he's human. Once they reached a half demolished structure, the male told him to wait with the female Guardian outside.
"How did you do that?" she asked.
"Eh?" Ittou frowned, not really getting what she was referring to.
"How did you make them quiet? Your plated armor.." she then pointed with a hint of envy glinting from her eyes.
"Oh.. I'm using the Silent Move skill from my subclass," he clarified.
"I see. I really thought you're wearing a leather clothing that looked like an armor instead.." she said. "That's really a umm.. how do I say this.. A considerate skill?" she paused. "At least, it won't disturb those sleeping when you move around.. That's one of the reason why I decided to have a talk outside of the guild. Just so I wouldn't disturb those asleep.. Speaking of which, are you a night owl too?"
"I am.. Or rather, was.. My job back in the real world was in the daytime though so I've adjusted it, but recently, during my stay here, I've been resting in the day quite often. Especially after a couple of battles," said Ittou.
Soon, the Sorcerer reemerged with a couple of plates in his hands. The food looked appetizing and they smell wonderful, something he'd never really experience or got from his inventory. Seated in a circle, the three began feasting. Just from the first bite, Ittou raised his brows, surprised at how delicious they'd tasted. Again, something different from what he'd been eating before today. They weren't plain or dull. He nodded a praise.
"This tastes good!" he told the Sorcerer.
"It pays to be a Cook.. At least you get to enjoy good food," the man replied.
"And it pays to be a friend to one too," said the girl.
"So it's like that, huh?" teased the Sorcerer which he only got a smile in return. "Anyway, let's start.. Where do you want me to begin?"
"From the very beginning," Ittou requested.
"Alright.." he cleared his throat. "It was about three days ago," the Sorcerer began. "..and group of Adventurers just returned from the camps at Sarum after their missions with the Golems. They were exhausted and was looking for an inn to stay in for the night. As they walked pass the park, one of them heard something. A whisper. It sounded feminine and distant. Almost like an echo. Curious, the Adventurer convinced his companion to check it out together. They got into the park, following the voice and came upon a gentle small stream. One of them even joked that it might have been the water sprite. They laughed but as soon as they did, they all heard the mysterious voice again. However, when they moved, it went quiet again, as if the noises from their feet scared whatever it was away.."
"Perhaps you could try checking out the area, your steps are silent.." the girl suggested, interrupting the Sorcerer.
"Well," Ittou simply nodded to the Guardian before he addressed the man. "..go on.."
"Failing to find anything, they resumed with finding an inn.. That night however, they didn't went straight to bed. Instead, they talked about their experience with a few People of the Land there and a couple of Adventurers. I just heard today that someone have experienced the same thing last night. And just like the previous group, the sound disappeared when he approached," the Sorcerer then concluded.
It couldn't be some sort of a prank now, could it, Ittou'd wondered. But it's not entirely dismissed. For all he know, somebody might want to spread such rumor about, maybe as an entertainment for themselves when they watched some fool pursue the story. Then again, its not like there weren't enough amusing things happening in this world already for them to create another. He failed to see and comprehend their motive, if they even had one.
"I really think you should try checking the place out, Zantetsuken," said the girl. "I'm all excited at the thought that you might uncover the mystery behind that whisper," she continued.
"But I think I might need more lead than this before I start.. And please, just Zante or Zan.. I realized what a mouthful the name I've chosen may be.." replied Ittou.
"That's everything.. I know nothing else other than that," said the Sorcerer.
"From who did you hear the story from?" Ittou asked.
"Some Adventurers.." he answered.
"What about the inn? Do you know which inn they were staying in?" inquired the Samurai.
"Hold on..." the man said as he reached for the bag by his side and pulled out a map of the city. "Here.. or here.." he pointed to two buildings closest to the park.
"What do you have in mind?" asked the female Guardian.
"I'll have to talk to the innkeeper there and find out about the Adventurers before I proceed with the search," before he knew it, Ittou was already immersed with the rumor.
Interesting tale...
Exactly what he could gain from investigating this, Ittou didn't even know. He was simply following what his brain was telling him. Whether there was really a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, he'll have to wait and see. At least, he won't be overwhelmed with boredom tonight.
"Good luck on that my friend. I wish I could tag along with ya but I can no longer hold my eyes open.. So I'm afraid you'll be on your own," said the Sorcerer.
"Not necessarily," the Guardian claimed. "I don't mind accompanying you at least to the inn, that is of course if you would allow me," she said.
"I don't mind the company," Ittou replied. "Thanks again and have a good night rest," said the Samurai to his informant.
The female Guardian, Trisha, stood with him and waited as Ittou extended his hand towards the Sorcerer. The man took the firm handshake and bid them both goodnight before he entered the building behind him. Both the Adventurers then began their night walk towards the inn. The sound of the plated armor echoed across the streets but it sounded rather lonesome, accompanied with nothing but the sound of the night breeze. Trisha then found herself looking down at Ittou's feet, silently trying to pick up any sound they would make. She did realized however that the walk was at a leisure pace. Slow yet the gait appeared almost noble on the Samurai next to her that it didn't feel one bit impatient. She smiled, noticing how majestic and charming this man was. Although she knew he might not look this way in real life, she couldn't help but took side with what her eyes were seeing. And despite of the warrior class she'd chosen, being a Guardian over the more "maiden in distress" sort of getup, she is after all still a lady and couldn't help but quietly swoon over the handsome figure.
"So," Trisha suddenly began. "We're off to the inn.. You know what?" she then asked.
"Hmm?" the man merely frowned.
"Some of the inn were also called a tavern, or a bar.. And just like in most RPG games, where the players go to obtain missions or side quests other than rests; we're now headed there too.."
"..." Ittou now nodded.
"It's ironic somewhat don't you think?"
"I'd say it is simply a coincidence," replied the Samurai.
"Still, aren't you somewhat excited?" she asked.
"Excited?" he made another frown.
"That we're now living in the game world and undergoing events that can only be found in the game? I mean," she paused to walk backwards in front of him with both her hands behind her back, almost in an adorable manner if it wasn't for the bulky gear she was wearing. "..where can you do the things you could on here, back in the real world?"
"...Depends on your job, I guess," Ittou answered.
"Really?" she pouted for a moment, "Come on, Zante, what kind of a job is there that is as fun as in the game world?" she smiled once again, earnestly listening and enjoying the conversation.
"...I'm a driver, and it's as fun as any driving game," he answered.
"Tee hee," Trisha giggled. "Liar, how is it similar or fun when you can't really go as fast as you can in real world compared to when you're in the game?"
The Samurai merely smiled then. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that he's a bodyguard in real life. But she's not the only one he'd kept the secret from. Nearing their first destination, Ittou gestured her to look in front, warning her about the couple of drunkards sleeping right outside the doorway. One of them stirred and tried to stand when they spotted Trisha, thinking that the girl was by herself. But decided to stumble away after seeing the stealthy Samurai behind her.
"Did you see the look on that guy's face?" she giggled. "It's like he just saw a ghost when he noticed you," said Trisha. "And to be honest, I thought I was seeing one too when we first met. It's like you just sneak up on us.. Even after I've walked with you up to here, I still couldn't believe you're real.."
"After all that? You still think I'm fake?" Ittou asked, teasing.
"Tee hee, no, no.. Not fake.. But like a phantom.. Almost as if you were floating instead of walking," she clarified.
Ittou just smiled and pushed door to the building, entering first and looking around almost on impulse before holding the door open for his female companion. It was the bodyguard side of him that took over instead of the "ladies first" concept a gentleman would usually follow. Still, the etiquette wasn't entirely dismissed. Just different. And as soon as Trisha entered, Ittou's eyes were on the occupants within the room as well as on the doors and windows inside. Another basic points from the protector. It was done rather discreetly however before he proceeded for the reception desk. Would he come to learn about those Adventurers here? Or could he gather more information on that feminine whisper from the park directly?
"A room for the both of you would be fifty gold coins per night. How many nights do you plan on staying?" asked the Lander-Innkeeper.
Trisha's face suddenly flushed red, embarrassed before she shook her head and told the Lander the real reason they were there for.
[Word Count: 2518]
