[Solo] Checkpoint on Duty [Casual]

[lukavminaev]

Hmm, yeah I think this is the place, there is no mistake about it. Today, I have arrived at the city border, where the ruined city of London is behind me and Thames Marshland is right in front of me. I can see many landers gathered here, from many professions. There is merchants, carrier drivers, and even adventurers. There is also some groups of porters, which is where I am heading right now. My objective is simple, I want to learn more about materials. I need to use them for improving my blacksmith skill. Therefore, I think there is no better place to search for better information, other than from the first buyers. Well, maybe I can get more deep info if I just ask directly to the one who found it, but it may take very long way only to find one, also my objective is not to research them, but rather just gather information to the point of knowing what materials can be used to forge what objects. With that purpose in mind, I decided to try applying as one of the porter.

“Hey, mister merchant, can I help you too?” a well-dressed merchant in front of me stop talking to one of his porter and turns his head to me ”oho, mister adventurer. I am sorry to disappoint you, but we have arrived safely here. Nothing to worry about” “huh? What do you mean?” he seems sweating a little “ah, you know, since we have arrived here we don’t need anymore, err, guards or pathfinders. Ah, it’s not like I refer you as a paid bodyguard, if you know what I mean” (scratch scratch) well, I don’t know what he means. “I don’t know what you mean, but I think you mistaking me about something, I am here to ask if I can help you to unload those crates” he looks at his crates with surprise the looks back at me “those crates? But I don’t have any good payment left to pay you later for your lore, or quest in adventurer’s term of general. Ah, sorry if I sounds like a stingy merchant. Oh right I am a merchant, hehe” meh “well, you don’t have pay me. I am here for my own reasons”, “reasons? ah, well then you are welcomed”.

I am heading toward a group of porters who currently unloading the crates. “Yo everyone, may I join you? I have asked the owner there” I see three men in front of me, they are looked younger than me. “Ah, it is adventurer” “adventurer?” “Where?” one of them pointed at me, I just answer then by waving my paws. “Whoa, it is really is” “a cat” “no, a bear” “a bear?” “What do you eat sir?” “can you poop?” meh, such enthusiasm “yeah, somewhat”. Hmm, maybe I just distracted them from their job, “so, where do I need to start” I am relaxing my muscles. “Ah, right, we need to move all these crates and group them, before we shifted to another carrier” “ok, like this?” I just lift five of those crates with ease “nononono, we know adventurers are strong eheheh, but the content this time must be moved with delicacy, must be done without too much shaking it” “Hmm, okay, I understand thanks” “eheheh”. We spent the entire dawn to move all the crates and organize them. The merchant paid those three porters well before he leaves again. “So, are you planning to join us again tomorrow sir?” “hmm? Yeah, sounds good?” those three seems smiling happily “okay then, see you tomorrow” “see you” “see you”, I just waving my hand and let them go.

Hmm, wait a minute. Seems like I was forgot something important. Forgo, forging, forging?! Dang, I came here to search for info about forging materials. Gaaaaaw, heh, well, seems like I need to try again tomorrow.

Words : 648

[lukavminaev]

“Hello mister adventurer” I can hear someone calling me from far away, meh “that’s too long, just call me Lukav, or Lu” “ah, okay mister Lukav, you are so early” he arrived in front of me. “That is because I forgot to ask you about something yesterday” “huh, okay but … some carriages have coming, job first, chat later. Come on, come on” he pushing me out again, somehow this is become new hobby of him.

We walked through the crowd, still so many people like yesterday, there is some new group of merchants I haven’t saw yet, also new goods I didn’t know before. I know this is not the only entrance to London, there is also another entrance near Windsor Greatwood, so maybe that is why people here are always vary. Well, there is also the usual face here today, like the merchant that I have meet yesterday and those three. The one who currently pulling me now is one of those three, he explained their task for today. They have assigned to moving some goodies from three carriages, and since I said I would join them again today, I will assigned to those tasks too.

“Hi, mister adventurer” “hello” “hello and hi, and just call me Lukav for short, so” I look at those three “the job, right” “ok” “alright” “yay”. We started with the nearest carriage, since the owner was the first to giving assignment. Those three are so good with their job, it’s as if they are born for that kind of job. Of course they are not stronger than adventurers, but they can do their job so nimble. Well, maybe since they have been doing it for a long time. I just watch them, try to learn how to do it right, while doing my job. I understand they cannot always teach me directly in the middle of job, because that kind of act will slow us down while the assignments keep piling up. Then after awhile, I can increase my pace so I can keep up with them.

Sometimes in the middle of job, I found one of those guys encouraging me. Saying things like ‘you are getting better mister’ or ‘nice work’. Seems like a nice group, I think. Great teamwork, not hesitant to teach, good understanding to each other, I think there is may be a background story for each of them. Well, I never seriously ask about background story from any Landers. Yeah, there is old man but, you know.

We have come to the last carriage, and there are still five big crates left. According to their size, these last crates must be lifted by two persons each. Hmm, I wonder what it contains. I just hold my curiosity to try lifting it alone, so we finish it as a team as usual. “Mister Lukav” one of those three asking me while we lifting a crate “hm, yeah?” “would you join us for breakfast together?” “sure, there is also something I want to ask you guys, we can do it while eating” “yay, ouch” the back of his head hitting the top of carriage. The other two laughing at him “hey, do it seriously” the merchant from before yelled at him, “ah sorry sir, nothing to worry about” he forced some smile while he answered. Meh, somehow I got hesitant to interfere, a Lander girl have told me before about there is some different customs between adventurer and Landers.

The sun has risen pretty high when we finished our last task, and now we enjoy ourselves eating our breakfast together. “Say mister Lukav, how is your adventure?” one of them asking me. Meh, this tasteless bread “not much, I just a low level you know. I just happened to pummel some boars” “whoa, those boar!” “those stingy boar” “we usually try to find another route if we meet them” “really? That troublesome?” “yeah” “also, a have joined with some other adventurers at finding treasure?” “Treasure?” “is it gold?” “divine weapon?” what is that? “hmm, I am not sure yet, I just keep it without looking too much into it”. Ah, maybe I just too much babbling about myself “Then how about you guys?” “we?” “yeah, can you tell me maybe, how you guys end up being porters?”.

Clank! Suddenly they dropped their bowls, their eyes, looked so grim. What? Is that so terrible? Am I asking something forbidden? “A-arghh, n-nooo, my butt” what? what with your butt? “no more, rope” what a rope doing there? “Arrrghh, stop it! stop it!” I don’t wanna know anymoooore! “Okay, okay, I am sorry asking you guys. You don’t have to tell me” “ah, eh, n-nothing to worry about sir. It’s just, we rather not talk about it” “ah, okay, I am sorry, okay, get a hold of yourself”. They are slowly back to their seats, still looked grim “b-but, is that what you want to know sir? You want to ask us something since yesterday right?” I pat his shoulder “no, not that thing, it’s okay” I looked at them “what I want to know is, when and where material suppliers for forging usually coming? I didn’t see him yesterday and today either” “ah, that a relief” “m-hm” “hmm, if you are looking for him, he probably come about 3 days later” really, that long. Well, it is better than nothing. (Yawn) the sun already this high, morning began changed to noon. I stand up from my seat. “Are you leaving sir? Now you know you just need to meet him 3 days later?” (smirk) “What are you talking about, we have work tomorrow right? I just need to explore somewhere then rest. So, see ya” “yaaay” I leave them while waving my hand.

Words : 962

[lukavminaev]

The more adventurers active in the city, the more jobs we porters must do. Landers have their own way to make sure they can always sell their goods to adventurers whenever they need. Well, I am not too fixated on Landers economy right now, my objective is only to learn more about blacksmiths materials, to do that I must do my job as porter properly until I meet the guy who familiar with blacksmiths materials. Actually, become a porter is not necessarily a requirement. From yesterday conversation, I already have the information about where I can meet such person. I still do it because I rather want to repay my debt to those three, help them to do their job while waiting the day I meet the person who know about material I need. Not hard job, especially if you are an adventurer who have exceptional strength than normal ‘human’ or what we call here Landers, or maybe normal human ‘in real life’ count. I just know that when one of those three explained it to me a little while ago.

We still moving some crates today, nothing much happened actually, after all this is our main job. As usual, we do it two by two for larger crates. I found myself getting better at doing this kind of job. It is not about strength, well, you still need strength to do it properly. The key is you must understand the rhythm of your partner, not too pushy also don’t be a drag. Both sides must understand what each other way of thinking, at least when working together. I think it is a good place to learn how to socialize, to try to understand other is part of how to make successful conversation. Well, not as if I am still suffer from inability to talk with fellow adventurers. I have visit some hunting places and meet up with them at bar, it is not really hard if I just get rid the feeling of failing in conversation, just try, if fail try again.

Nothing much happened today, except some cat fights between merchants or some Landers groaning for not have any Adventurers to accept their usual quests. We finish our tasks in no time, since our teamwork grown and so our timing become more sync. I know when they want to move slowly or just want to do it fast, when they want to just lift and move or want to handle it with delicacy, it’s all shown on their face. Working together for amount of time will make you realize how you can read your partner better through small details. To tell the truth, they are not that hard to read. They just simply become themselves, nothing to hide. Of course, it will be different in front of people with higher social standing than they are. Somehow, they cannot just ignore their command. I think it is just necessary for the whole business things, I don’t have a clue. Well, I just being with them for a while, I am not really understand how the whole civilization works in Elder Tale. For me who have used to moving around to earn good education in real life, when I happened to be in situation where I am in different civilization, first thing to do is learn how to not cross their way of living, just walk side by side with them but don’t force them to understand you.

We arrived at our usual breakfast place, they sit on a cut log at the entrance side. I sit on the opposite direction, separated by an extinguished bonfire. I got very much information about how adventurers usually do, from Landers perspectives of course. I told them the story about my adventures, which is just a little. I can’t stand but smile while watching their serious face listening to my story. Seriously? is that interesting? (scratch scratch) ah, maybe it is how usually Landers react when they listening to adventurers story. Usually eh, the more time I spent living here, the more I learn about what ‘usual’ is. Watching them just doing their role similar to NPCs game, just remind me how different this world is. Walking together, chatting, working, to be different and must be able to follow on unfamiliar civilization. However, I think it is a good place to stay.

“Mister Lukav, why you always eat bread? Is it some of adventurers thing? Like you cannot eat another meal to preserve your magical strength?” “naw, it is not like that. I just got thin pocket you know” (munching bread) “so, it is also hard in adventurers live” meh “I don’t know. I mean, I just being an adventurer for a while. There is still many thing I didn’t learn yet” “then, (he get closer) you can eat our share mister” “wait, what? I can’t do that, those porridge are earned through your sweats and tears. I cannot just eat that” “aw come on, we just can’t stand you eating same food everyday” I am more can’t stand watching you guys, eating same food everyday “look, you guys got more …” (growl!!) damn, you stupid stomach! “come on come on, here aaaaaan" he give me a spoon of porridge.

(Om nom nom nom nom)

Meh, having friends is really giving more flavor to live “so (enthusiasm look) is it good” yeah friend, it is good “tasted same”.

Words : 906

[lukavminaev]

Tomorrow will be the day I will meet that guy, the objective of what I did these days here, the one who usually buys forging materials directly from the explorers, according to my source. Means, today most likely being the last day I will join those three in their job. Eh, it is kind of sad. After being thorough much fun and hardship together, I feel so wrong to just leave them, leaving them doing their job by themselves. Wait, (scratch scratch) aren't they living all this time and doing their job by themselves, I am just an addition. How the hell I can think of me being important in their lives, not that if I leave then they most likely feel empty or something. But, more or less I still have to giving them a nice farewell.

With many thoughts in my head, I continue my work. I am sitting at the corner inside carriage, undoing the knots which currently binding large amount of crates. It is just my way of doing it, rather than just cut the rope, I decide to undo it one by one. Of course it will save time to just cut it, I just stubbornly picking this way since it more delicate (for the rope) and will be faster for someone who used to undo many type of knots, or so I thought. “Grrr” this knot, who the heck make it so jumbled, must be some sort of prank directed to me. Wait, how the hell this guy know I am the one who will undo it, also how he know that I will choose to undo it rather than just cut it, hmm … must be some kind of conspiracy. “Mister Lukav” a familiar voice cried behind me. “Are you still struggling with that knot sir, I got uneasy feeling about the owner outside” he took a nearby place then take a sit there. I still in the middle of making a few loose at the tight knot, not completely ignoring his question, I just take a look of him for a moment then back to the knot, “just a moment”. Meh, it is not my fault for being this long, if the ropes skillfully tied, I can undo it in no time. From the look of it, there is seems to be two or three kind of knots overlapping. Maybe if I found the free rope’s string I can … Hmm, nope.

The cheerful porter just sitting behind me, watching me who carefully undo the knot. I can sense a gleeful expression on his face, which currently resting on his arm. I have used for them watching me like that, seems like they have unusual interest on adventurers. Well, maybe not in academic term, I think it is more like having a foreign neighbor who fluently talk same language. Not a diehard one, but still some kind of interest. Sometimes, I even surprised by them, like when I tried to talk about my past, about the time I was came here. They said they have no knowledge of it, and hinting me to find more knowledgeable person, but there is no such thing like excessive surprise on their face. When I asked them about it, they just simply said ‘well, aren't adventurers also used to travel magically’.

Meh, it is not the time to think about that. More importantly I have successfully make a small loop hole at the knot, if I just can pull some of those strings, two, no three … “mister Lukav” “hmm?” “Are you … are you leaving tomorrow?” “Hmm …” seems like we have same problem in our mind. “Bbut, if you leaving, if you leaving” “hmm!” “uwaaaaaaaa!” what the, meh, why I must babysit them now, wasn't it usually the other way around. “Hey, come on man, tears don’t suit you, aren’t you guys usually firm and cheerful?” I pat his shoulder a couple times, then back to my knot “you know, you guys live here longer than me” ugh, this knot loop “weren’t you guys used to witness us adventurers, we can’t always stay in one place you know” the porter guy shoves his arm on his face. “Ah, I am sorry mister Lukav, I am not supposed to be like this” he back to his usual expression, then just resting his head on his arms while looking at the floor, enjoying the sudden silence between us. Well, not in my part. I am still struggling to solve these knots.

“You know mister Lukav” he shifts his gaze back to me “not many adventurers who casually chatted with us before, well not many people (Landers) either, except for business cause. We used to see many adventurers before, that is why we immediately know you are one of them” really? That’s impressive “Your appearance just like those beginner adventurers” dang “you know, we just so happy when you approached us back then, and now you must leave. It is hard for me to keep calm when watching you while knowing that”. A sudden silence again, I have stopped from thinking of my knots, and just release the unsolvable knots hanging, swinging aimlessly. His words reached me, and these damn sentiments suddenly keep piling up in my brain. I am not usually like to listen a heart to heart chat. I just go full IDGAF-mode as long as I still have my corner, curling happily unaffected by the changing world. So, why their words sounds so moving, why I cannot just ignore as usual, and being my own self. Ah, maybe they just remind me of my bros back then in village, working together eating together, and then the time has come to leave.

I turn my position facing him “dude, if you said it like that, I just, I just, (bro-hug) uwaaaaaaaaaa” “uwaaaaaaaaaaaa” the other two appeared from the carriage entrance “uwaaaaaaaaaa” “uwaaaaaaaaaaa” we just support each other body, letting all the bro feelings out. (Push them) okay, before this event rubs me in wrong place “guys, I know I will inform you sooner or later, when the time comes, I will leave” “uwaaaaaaaaaaaaa” (bro-hug) those three support each other’s body until he calmed down. Meh, “oookaaayy, however, I don’t know when I will leave, it’s just sooner or later it will happen anyway” I give them some times to think, leaving them for a while to calm their thought a little. “So” I am moving my body a little to do a formal pose of Landers “thank you for letting me together with you guys, even just for a short time” now now, what happy faces you guys showing “me too mister Lukav” “me too” “yaaaaay, thank you mister Lukav” (smile) meh, bro-moment and tears of joy, what a day.

Ah, that’s right, I still didn’t undo the knots. Hmm, “eh!” was it this easy before.

Words : 1150

[lukavminaev]

Today will be the last day I am working as porter, or so I thought. Counting from the day I started this job, it feels much longer than what actually is. Long enough for us to deepen our bro-solidarity. I mean, me and those three, I think I cannot treat them as friends anymore, it’s a bro! A bro-comrade! It’s more than just friend! Ah well, I don’t even know if I can still be with them after this. I’ve even said a goodbye too, which make me more ease on doing my part of job, knowing it won’t be burden if I suddenly went away, at least how it most likely feel. Our work today is not difficult, actually it is less hard than usual. Today we just assigned to move fifteen crates from three carriages. It already halfway done, but the boys stopping me. One of them notices the person I was searching around the crowd, and insist me to go and confront him.

I found myself standing on the roadside, looking into the crowd. The young porter stands beside me, a gleeful expression painted on his face, showing his undoubted determination to find whatever he currently searching for, such as finding one person that unusually appeared seems like won’t be so difficult task for him. He moves left and right, changing his viewpoint so often, making me so weary only by looking at him. “So, have you found him?” “Not yet” “then, can we go back to work?” he quickly shift his gaze to me “ah, come on mister Lukav. This is for you, you know. Don’t you forget your objective?” meh “you know, our job still …” “mister Lukav!” he stopped searching and just take a sit in front of me “do you know how important today is?” “but” “don’t you know how long you’ve waited for this day?” “I know, but” “also, have you concerned if maybe you won’t get another chance like today?” “eh?” “so, just sit there quietly and let me do the searching for you” “aye sir!” eeeeeh, what the, I don’t even. However, the porter guy has blended with the crowd, leaving me sit down quietly on the roadside.

Meh, although I am used to being gargoyle, just sitting quietly at the corner and watch the world evolving, it’s not like I don’t like to move around, it just not my liking to be in a place where I can’t feel ‘freedom’. I was in my corner, because I can feel ‘freedom’ there, creating invisible wall to distance myself from outside disturbance. A space, available only for me, any other incoming spaces are just disturbances, or so I thought. For spending my times in this alternate world searching for any available information, forcing myself to open for many people while doing so, sometimes stop myself for being so dense and try to understand more about what people around me thinking. The longer I spent my live in this world, I feel like I have gradually changing. Maybe, I won’t be like my old self anymore. Sometimes, I thought it is scary (scratch scratch) or maybe I am also, afraid of changing.

Therefore, forced (literally) to be on my old state is somewhat relieving, I can feel myself still being me, creating my personal space, my palace of ‘freedom’. I will enjoy this moment even just for short time, before back to being a full-grown adult, and facing the world again.

I laid my back on nearby tree, at the corner near the mountains of crates, unseen from the eyes of busy people. There is so many goodies if you try to guess it from what you can see in the market. From simple vegetables until ready-cooked foods, materials to hand made tools, grimoire to double handed swords. Sometimes I can guess what inside those crates from the smells and weight. Well, some sense of insecurity holds me to peek what inside and just leave it as it is. I know I can appropriately getting my hand on those items later.

A warm welcome from morning sun, radiating its invisible hand, landing carefully on half of my face. We usually have done our job on time like this. I try to take a look on our assigned carriage, but it too far, hidden behind the crates and the flood of crowd, that seems like have changing the direction. Some players sat on nearby carriage, seems like discussing about the aftermath of quest. I can hear some of the details, keeping it on my memories for new knowledge I have achieved. I think that’s another way to improve my knowledge about his world, as fellow players we can discuss about the best way to beat up monsters, how to find certain quest, how to improve skills and manage stats. I think that is what usually players doing even in real world, and if you can’t find a partner to discuss, you still can to open your ears like what I am doing now.

Other porter guy popped out from the crowd, walking calmly toward me. “Have you waited too long sir?” I take a bottle of water he handed (smirk) “not really, how about you guys? How about our work?” he smiled, then just take a sit near me “it’s fine, by the way we just took less than usual, it’s already done”. I drink some, then hand the bottle back to him “eh, you know I can just work with you guys, it can be done before I can meet that guy anyway”. He lets out some silly laugh, close the bottle then return it back to his small bag. “Come on, don’t be like that mister. Just let us do the favor for you sometimes” meh, aren’t you guys already have enough favor to do with me, “ah, look he is coming” he pointing to the crowd. There are two familiar faces popped out, and one person I didn’t meet before behind them. He is small and thin like a girl, but has that expression you can easily faking when you are in business. “Oh ho, so this is the person who want to meet me” he paused for moment, looking at me “ah, an adventurer” I can see the corner of his mouth slowly curving.

Words : 1055

[lukavminaev]

The merchant keeps dragging me along the way, rushing through the morning crowd in front of city entrance.Our footsteps blending together with the bustle of crowd, it is hard to tell the differences. I can only see his hand, so I try to recognize his footstep, to guess the position where we are heading. I let him leads the way, although it’s not so far, just small running to his merchandise carriage. He insist that I still work as a porter, but now it’s exclusively for him.I don’t know why he seems to be in hurry, nor why he has such enthusiasm. Well, not like I got something while just sitting alone, might as well just dive in and struggle to whatever happened to me after that.Hmm, I cannot think of any possibilities this merchant can harm me. Although as adventurer, I can just be resurrected at the cathedral even if I died, also engaging combat is forbidden inside safe zone. I have no reason to be on guard for this uneasy feeling. So, I just let him do as he wish and see how far I can gain the information I was looking for.

As the crowd move, it became more difficult to run. We cannot just go straight to our destination. Sometimes we take a detour to avoid carriages or people, which is not easy. I don’t know where each of them want to go, and keep bumping while trying to pass through them, also I don’t even know where our destination might be. This guy in front of me didn’t tell anything and just start dragging me, leaving those three.A little mistrust make it more difficult to try following him among this flooding crowd. Sooner, I got my sight become hazy, tired from those horizontal frames that keep flooding and flooding, avoid my perception of direction. I tried to focus only to the shady merchant.

“Eh” I have lost my track of him, it’s like he just disappear to the thin air. I know he must be somewhere there ahead of me, but I don’t know which direction. Sighing for the sudden problem, I am thinking of any possible way out I can think of. Scratching the fur of my back head, I am tapping my feet slowly, pushing some blood signaling my brain to run, thinking. Sure, there are people that shorter than me, but that merchant is so damn have a slippery figure. I totally cannot find him among the crowd. So, what if I just go forward through the crowd, I may find an end of this crowd, and then following the side that not too crowded to find him.

Hmm, but what if he decides to find me back, then we will missed each other while both of us searching. Argh, That’s not good idea, what should I do. Am I just charge after him or am I just need to wait him here? Well, it’s not like I know what type of person he is, I don’t know if he decide to wait me there orjust decide tosearch me back. However, this is not entirely impossible. Meh, such trivial thing doesn’t have to be bugging so much. Just take the simplest thing from two.

I keep my stance firmly like a stone, ignoring the crowd passed near me, like some kind of odd statue misplaced by accident. I crossed my arms and let out long sigh, trying to forget the cause why I am stuck here. Well, even it was partly my fault to follow him without hesitation, I cannot help but confused of why he such in a hurry, to the point I can lost the sight of him. Is there any particular reason why he seemed happy when knowing my adventurer identity. Wait, is he a con man who like to trick people. In that case, I may just leave this scene of him or I will just lured into his game. It is not like I like to mistrust people, or judging if I can trust or mistrust in general, but rather there are more important things to do other than just being coned, like my job with those three or hunting some monsters for gold.

I sighed again, unable to find any way out, while trying to see farther, searching any sign of that shady merchant appearance. With my height, it’s not so hard to see through the area. I can see the glimpse of some carriages from far away, some adventurers, even trademarks of London ruins. Some porters still doing their job. I am holding the temptations from finding out what those three doing behind me, afraid of losing the direction of where that shady merchant headed before, even just a guess. Yes, I have arrived to the place, where I cannot got further, nor going back. Shadows, sometimes scarier than actual monsters. I cannot go past these walls called supposition, something I cannot solve by my fists, something I usually ignore and leave it as it is.

Looking at myself today, I still the same Lukav as the other days, or the day before. I just only more knowledgeable and more adapt to this world. But my sense, is still same. Sometimes I still feel like I want to be alone, in the corner, watching this world like gargoyle. Sometimes, I still like to adventure, running around to the places I don’t know yet. And sometimes, I still trapped behind this wall, not knowing how to move on. I am still me, the me who just barging and take the burden all by myself, and sometimes just tripped down and need someone to pull my hand to get up again.

“What are you doing mister Lukav” a familiar voice surprising me, I turn my head to the presence who slowly positioning himself beside me “are you lost? Hehe” I just put my usual meh-face answering to his joke-like question. “Well then, come on, I know where his carriage is”. He pushes my back, suggesting me to walk on through the crowd. Although I have no other choice but to follow him, I don’t have any objection either. Heh, right, I still have people around me who willingly to pull my hand.

Words : 1045

[lukavminaev]

I know this is somewhat weird to see the man who just abandoned me proudly on what it seems to be his luxury chair. There is no sign on his face for worrying about my lateness, instead he is just smirking, and eyeing to my direction from the corner of his eyes, which made us just standing there, don’t know how to react. “Good morning gentlemen, welcome to my exclusive private palace for topmost buyers, who searching only for the best if not better than best, forging materials for your equipment”. He talked nonchalantly, as if we are some random customer who just interested and coming to see some goodies. Meh, better get this matter straight before he goes any further. “Well, mister, if I remember correctly, you just abandoned me back then” I cross my arms, pouting, as if hoping there is still some sensible reasoning thorough this man’s explanation. Not that I mind if he is really a con man, or someone who chose a shady way of life. It’s more like I found he is funny, and let him to excuse himself with better explanation.

“Khekhekhekhe, ah, that just small matter” small matter? “don’t be so worked up too much, you only missed the fun if you do that” meh. “Anyway, welcome to my supplier shop, come come” with that said, he pushes us to the back of his carriage, which is not so far from where we are before, and then opens the curtain. “Have fun on finding materials that catches your desire”.

This is, the second time we just standing there, don’t know what to do. In front of us are uncountable materials from what I have seen before or never, pilling up in one place inside the carriage, like a mountain of garbage. “Errr, I think, it’s time for my leave, hehe” the porter excuses himself after witnessing those entire hazardous mountain of materials. Meh, whatever, I also cannot hold them any longer. It is their usual meal time no? “Well then, thank you for before”. I patted his shoulder as farewell “yah, don’t mind that, just come see us sometimes”. He waves his hand while running down, wearing his usual gleeful expression, as if telling me not to worry about them so much and just enjoying my business.

I have turn back and facing the shady material seller, trying to consider if he will lead me to my objective or not. Hmm, from the tricking part, until the way he is expressing himself. I just can conclude he is just a merchant who trying too hard to impress me, as customer, and sometimes he express it in weird way. Well (scratch scratch) we both weirds, so it’s not a problem for me. “Forgive me, but I come here to learn about some material you have, I have no purpose in buying them”. As if the switch have been pressed, his expression changes “not buying them!?” “well sir, I have some money if you wa…” “no buy mean no business, get out! get out!” he is trying to push me out from the carriage, but with my adventurer body he just like trying to push a parked buss to me. “Geeeet Ouuuuut!!” meh, now, what can I do with this situation. Sure, I can just using force to him since our build is too different, but I don’t feel it right to do, after all this is his property. “Then, is there something I can do…” “Geeeeeettt Oouuuuuutt!!” he still not giving up yet on pushing me. “What about…” “geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeett Ouuuuuuuuuuuuutt!” “well then…” “geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeett Oouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutt!!” “free gold…” “geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeett Ouu… wait, what?” (grin) “GET OUT!”.

I decide to walk out, leaving the angry merchant babbling by himself. Meh, why was he so work out about, deny anything outside business. Wait, if I can just buy some materials, maybe we can have some conversation regarding materials he have. But, ah, I just got yelled, maybe tomorrow. Yeah, tomorrow is good, after working time then, eh (smile). So, maybe it’s just some kind of fate to be stuck working with them. Ah, not that I am complaining. It’s like, so fulfilling to be able working together. Working together, as what I was doing in real life. I just remember the first time I given a task to hold the cow’s horn, prevent the cow to moving so much while my father’s friends holding its feet. My first time witnessing a cow butchering. Not that I was afraid of blood, but still somehow its head movement escaped my consciousness, as if my strength still not enough to handle this task. My father and his friends just laugh a little, when we’ve done with all the process. Encouraging me to grow more muscles, so I can be more useful in the future.

I know, that time. It’s not my strength that failed me, it was my concentration, my heart, my will to face new situation I’ve never meet before. I am lacking in the will to change, to be more understanding person that just deny anything. I know they know what truly I felt when I hold those horns, and I know they let me discover it by myself, my weakness, and the way to improve. If I just try and try again, in the end even with my brain, I will succeed on achieving my goal. Even it is me, I will find a way to improve. So, tomorrow, I will try again, find a way to make him understand and teach me about those materials.

Words : 928

[lukavminaev]

Meh, yesterday I was so unsuccessful. Why that merchant is so stubborn anyway. I just want him to spare some times, having little chit-chat with me, telling me some info about forging material. It’s more like, he just expects anyone who comes only to buy, and deny anything else. I wonder if his shop have many customers. Or so I thought, before I arrive to this place again.

“What the…” meh, so much people waiting in front of his carriage. What so popular about a man who just insist people into buying his stuff and deny anything other than that. Hmm, maybe it’s just me who expect live to be fair and square. Travel around the world and make new friends. Some people are just expect to be on business, and seeing everything as business. I wonder what fun about living that kind of live. Hmm, still, even I disagree with that, people are just people. Everyone have their own point of view. Sooner or later I must face people like him. I can’t just blame the world about the fault of some people, I must able to adapt to new environment. It’s not that bad, especially if there are already people close to me around me. I can just back to them and spent some quality time with them, before facing the person I cannot agree with his view again. Especially if I can read their ill intention, meh, disgusting. But that merchant, I don’t know why he is like that. Let see if I can understand him or not.

Hmm, I think it’s not the right time. Might be better if I just meet those three. Well, they’ve said to come by sometimes right? Ehehe. So, here I am in front of their assigned carriage, the owner has known me from my assignment before and just gives me a nodding agreement. “Woo, it’s mister Lukav, come come” I just walk in and start to lift some crates which likely being their first group to moving. “I know you would come today, so much people there as usual. I wonder if he can chat to you sooner or later” one of them put a crate on the crate I lift, “so, yesterday was success then. Yah, to tell the truth I don’t know if he want to talk to anybody, but adventurers always an exception right” both of them give him small laugh. I just put my usual ‘meh’ expression, don’t want to talk about it today. “So, how much our assignment today” one of them stopping “ah right, today we will move those crates at first, then…” he explained all the detail while we are lifting the crates. Ah, what a nostalgic moment. I think, I can rest from thinking about that merchant for a while. Let the muscles doing its job while the brain rest. Let the business of the crowd drowning me inside, blending and moving as part of them.

Speaking of crowd, aside from the large amount of people in front of his carriage, there is still much people as usual. Aside from new face I never seen every now and then, there are similar patterns I found out. Carriages that come and left, adventurers that planning and forming a group, carriages owner waiting for anyone to accept their quest, rider expression when they about hitting the deadline and forced to travel without guide, Landers or adventurers that just use the road to access the city, porters like us who busy doing our job. Well, sometimes I find one or two adventurer doing our porter’s job while also accept for guiding the carriage travel outside the safe zone. I think I have heard they said that they have courier subclass, and doing that kind of job is their specialty. Wooo, so many things I don’t know yet, and by blending with this people I’ve granted many new knowledge. Maybe a bit different like when I just being a gargoyle. This time I can interact with them, and interacting naturally like this make me understand things I wasn’t able to understand only by watching them.

We have finished our job, and sitting in circle at usual breakfast place. Meh, still so much people there, I can’t get close. If it will be like this until noon, I think I just… “Wohoo, mister Lukav, mister Lukav, try this” one of them hand me a part of bread with a blue transparent gel smeared on it. “what is that” “Aw… come on, come on, aaaaaanh”.

Nom nom nom nom

What’s this, I don’t even, “what you put on it?” he just giggled and pull out a bottle of MP potion and a cream I think I ever saw it before. “He just try mixing jackfruit sap with MP potion” he just laughed a little “don’t be bothered by it mister Lu, he just like doing these sort of weird thing once a while” “hey! That’s not weird thing” “why don’t you just use strawberry jam” “nah, jam is expensive” “why every nice things so pricey” “because it’s nice” “meh…” three of them shaking their head, and groaning. Well, I think money is universal problem, can’t blame them. Although, I like how they still can laugh every now and then. Maybe they didn’t suffer too much even don’t have much money, or money didn’t meddle too much in their live. They still have their sleeping place, they still can buy enough foods, and their interaction with each other cannot be halted by money. They have ‘life’, and I think the influence of too much money will just break that. Or so I thought, measuring them as measuring normal human. I still don’t know how much the difference between normal human and Landers. Well, maybe they really are human.

Ah, I think the crowd have been shortened. I must be in there before he completely shut his place. “I think it’s about time to go. Sorry guys” “come back again tomorrow mister Lu” those three wave their hand while still enjoying their new found jam. I leave them and running slowly toward the crowd. Ah, maybe I need to hide this time. Who know what he will do if he know I come.

Words : 1042

[lukavminaev]

The merchant’s eyes shifting from left and right repeatedly in caution. The customer in front of him seems to have accustomed by his eccentric nature and just stating the request as normal. I am walking slowly on my toe behind the carriage near the place, and sometimes gazing toward the transaction post, watching his reaction. Meh, that guy being on guard way too much, I can even imagine he is able to sleep with eyes open. What a way to be on guard. Hmm, maybe I can learn from him. 

There are some groups passing on the road, likely want to go to the forest. I quickly hide near them, and then shift to nearby tree. I am couching then slowly moving behind some empty crates, slowly positioning myself closer and closer to the carriage. The transaction itself is normal, or so from what I saw. A man advertising his goods gleefully, a customer who stated what he want and reject some other unneeded offers, other porters who swiftly doing their job after getting direct order from the owner. “Ah, if isn’t mister Lu…” “pssssh” “who is there…!” the merchant yelling instantly, and quickly swallow up the place with his gaze “errr…” “don’t err me! I am not err! Bear!” his eyes widened and sharply eyeing the porter “ah, eheheh, I guess… I just spotted mister lu… le… lemur” wut “Yeah, I just spotted mister lemur a moment ago, ehehe” meh, well, it’s better being lemur than being spotted this time. “Smhhh, don’t get distracted by mere lemur, you are in the middle of job” “ah, I guess, I am very sorry sir” with that said, the porter bend his body then continue his job “psssh, what are you doing here mister lu” (turn left, turn right) “I am just keeping an eye of him. Do you know when he will likely finished the business?” he moves back a bit, seems like surprised by my question “I… guess…” (looks at the crowd) “maybe it’ll be a while, but you can wait if you want, ehehe”  well… waiting is good. I give him a quick nod and signaling him to just continue his work. 

I take a sit on nearby tree behind some empty crates, where I can still watching him doing the transaction. The grass is still wet. Morning dew infiltrating the gap among my fur, giving a surprising mint sensation on my skin. I keep my eyes on the merchant, still drowned in enthusiasm with his customers. Hmm, even short-tempered person like him can be such smooth talker in front of customer. Well, he did try to smooth talked me when the first time we meet (scratch scratch). Such salesman personality he has, I wonder how long he did that job, and by counting how much customers he has, it seems like they have known him for a long time. Eh, so, I likely hit the mark, he must know a lot of information regardless the materials. Meh, if only he is more welcoming person like those three, I won’t have to be so puzzled and thinking how to interact with him like now. I wonder if there is anything I can do to solve this.  

Today is not as cold as usual. The gathering of customers seems to emanating some heat to my furry skin. I rub my leg joints with my palm to loosen some stiffness due to cold. I don’t know, just my old habit. Part of it is to keep my mind busy, distract me from the bore of waiting. I take my time by thinking of the upcoming meet. Hmm, what should I say persuade him, or rather what should I do. Let’s see, last time we meet I just happened to state my reason for meeting with him. I mean, I just being honest, and I don’t think my request wouldn’t bring any disadvantage either. So, what’s with the denial. I can’t comprehend any reason for him to not accept that, well, I mean if he want I can do something for him in exchange for the request, as long as that will be within my capability as low level adventurer. So. I just came up with the idea for him being an eccentric person. Maybe I am wrong, but at least I have moved forward one-step closer to him. With that, I can think of something to be more forward, even in the end I will just pushed back due to my miscalculation. And with that failure, I will unlock the right door to be more understand him. So, what if my guess is right, he is actually eccentric one. Hmm, maybe I can fulfill his fetish in exchange of information. Give and take. I think any merchant will agree with that offer. Moreover, if he is an actual businessman-type, I think he will need to think twice before rejecting it. Yeah this seems to be working (grin).  

“Pssh, mister Lukav” my thought stopped by the porter’s call. I look up to the gap between crates, looking if the merchant notice my presence. Hmm, there is still two more customers left. I wave my paw from the top of mountain of crates, signaling him that I was listening. “(sigh) well, two more before you can go” I just nodded hearing that. Ah right, I give my thumb as signal, then he pulls back to the carriage, continuing his work. Heh, this time I will. I have smoothed my leather armor and cleaned my head furs. I think for business people my current appearance won’t be too much distraction. Well, not that stood up one. I don’t think he won’t mind either, considering he will be usual business mode when facing a customer. This is just precaution, adding attack stat for adding more damage to the target, you know. I will succeed this negotiation wooooo. 

“And done… boy, that was the last customer. Can you bring me…” (wave hand) ah, I hope he won’t be surprised by random cat peeping from back door.

Words : 1010

[lukavminaev]

“So, what do you want this time kid?” “eeeeeeerm… buying?” (spaaaaaarkleeeee) “oho, welcome welcome, please choose what might appease your eye” “aaaaaaaand, I want you to teach me abou…” (kaching) “OUT!” wut “man, what’s the deal with me asking some info. I am still buying, can you just add it as extra” the merchant waving his finger on my face “ckckckck, I won’t be fooled twice. Just sho sho get out” he try to push my body again, but of course it’s futile, still it won’t stop him from doing it. Meh, “man, I won’t going anywhere. If you want to get rid of me, at least convince me to do it” I look at him in the eyes, try to convince him that I don’t have any ill will. I just need some information, that’s all.  

The merchant in front of me stopped pushing, and instead looking back at me. Maybe measuring the odd of his successfulness in driving me away. I take a sit in front of him, while still looking at him. I hope he understand that I meant to suggest him to talk it out with me. He still standing, looking at me with stern face, unable to convey his reasoning thorough words. He stare at me, drawing an invisible curved line with his gaze. I don’t know what he is thinking. Even if he is thinking about a way to reject me, I won’t budge from my position now. This is battlefield, as a tank I must stand firm and capable to handle any incoming attack. I won’t budge, I reject to budge. 

He crossed his arms on his chest. His mouth moving unconsciously, as if expressing what currently in his mind. Sometimes, I capture a rejection vibe from his expression, sometimes an acceptant, and most of the time his expression just looked weird. Must be hard decision, but I can conclude it wasn’t a life and death situation. If that was the case, he will just roughly reject me with whatever he has, and I just take my leave avoiding a possibility of larger conflict. I am positive that was not the case, here is the proof with him standing and making a couple frames with weird expression. I just sit there, letting the void between us growing, allowing him to feel ease to try finding the right words for explanation. Or, is he still thinking about a way to reject me. Meh, I will just stay firm on my seat. 

He finally take a sit while he still crossing his arm and keep looking at me. Oho, is this an acceptance. From the look of it, he has moving one-step closer toward that decision. I keep my enthusiasm at bay and restrict it from affecting my expression. My instinct telling me that was crucial. Any false move will likely trigger the chain of destruction. I look at him if he thinking the same and waiting any sign of acceptance from his move, but as usual, he just sitting there looking back at me. Hmm, come to think about it, isn’t he like a weird statue. Maybe if I draw some line on his face, he will be more convincing, I mean as a weird statue. Ah, so much distracted for me to be able thinking such diversion. Maybe I just too much rejecting the possibilities of him being all rejection toward me, and create these images in my head. Such a weird phenomenon. 

Watching him nonstop without giving myself time for a rest is kind of tiring. I got your determination man, but not this time. I have feeling this may be my last chance to ask him such information. I won’t accept him being all rejecting as usual. I understand sometimes there is a moment where a person logic moving unconsciously to protect the sanity of self. Some people just cannot accept the sudden change and prefer to do it slowly. A sudden forced change will just trigger the rejection toward any new aspects. Being defensive by accepting all that giving them a positive result and just reject anything they cannot comprehend. 

The merchant in front of me still won’t budge, and so I am. He sit firmly and facing the opponent, and so I am. He put a weird expression on his face, but I cannot do that with my cat form. I even have an idea to turn one of his expression into a mask, I would be special commemoration on the wall. Ah, right I still not in real world. Sigh, I drop my defense unconsciously and put weird expression, is he notice? Ah, I think not, from his weird mouth curve I see now. Really, a human can do that? 

“So, you are that determined eh young man” I nod quickly “that’s right sir” he moved his body back slightly, then talk again “I won’t tell you why I reject you before” meh, “but I will tell you where you can learn such information” really? And I thought he was the right person to ask such information. “Then, I thank you for that” he is smiling “heh, you can find him at St. Pancras Station. But…” I frown, “I cannot assure you if he will help” “err, you talked about he can give me such information” “yup, and reliable one” “but, you don’t know if he will help me or not” “that’s right, now get out… sho sho” Smmh, well at least I move one-step forward than before. 

I walk out from his carriage optimist with my current gain. His figure comes out behind me, “I will depart this afternoon” I stopped my feet and turn back facing at him. “Maybe I will tell you about material myself if we will meet again. Until then, see ya” I give him a casual salute pose, before rushing toward the city. Meh, if he want to tell me himself then why not just do it. Such hard headed, errrr… why I meet many hard headed person. Ah never mind, I just need to check the destination today. I hope I won’t meet anymore hard headed person there. 

Words : 1027

[lukavminaev]

(Yawn) so much time passed since I came to this side of Londinium. I remember the first time I arrived, I just a clueless person wandering around, searching for information. Now I know more people, and more understand how things work around here. Surely, it was because I spent so much time working and interacting with them. It’s more like we have live together on same side of town. Or to be more exact, we have same daily job in this area. I know some of them, especially porters, since harmonization in our job is more like an unwritten rule. Surely, not that deep connection. Just on the level ‘they know me, I know them, we know how to not cross each other way’. I am not surprised if some of them being nice and helpful, after all we are in service type market, if people don’t like us they won’t hire. Bringing personal problem into job is instant destruction. I just glad I didn’t meet any ill-mannered person so far, maybe not yet.  

I take a turn quickly after set my foot outside the entrance, avoiding the incoming mass of crowd that usually flooding. I can almost do it just by reflexes, don’t require me to think so much. It’s like I can see the route, I just need to follow it and I will surely arrive at my destination. Hmm, maybe it also because I have walked on this path everyday, watching the way they do it, and somehow understand which path they choose. I just need to avoid those paths, let them flown and passing near me, and create my own path, knitting it carefully toward my chosen destination. Without hurting them, because I never contact them. Ah, I think it was because o have used to choose a lonely path. It is easier for me to enjoy living in this way. At least, that was what I have thought. However, being cherished by other people stopping me at one point, and make me thinking as social human being. Yep, those three. 

I stopped for sudden interfere by a passing carriage. One carriage has leaving the city, along with some adventurers. Ah, are the porters still on work. I forgot to ask those three schedule for today. Well, it’s not my plan to continue working as porter. Also, they may just be bothered with my interferes. I just a freeloader who just want to tag along until I meet my objective, whether by working together or eating together, laughing together and enjoying the sunrise together. Ah, I know it I cannot just leave them. Part of me still want to follow them, walking together on the same ground, giving the meaning of living here. Yah, it so like I have been born here. This fur, this face, I have used to my character appearance. I don’t know when, but I enjoy it. for an visitant like me who just lost in unknown world, finding a place where I can feel comfortable is almost feels like miracle. Or is it an usual occurrence, when people find themselves in a place they don’t belong to be, they just get lost and suddenly find a place they belong to be. like an adventurous child who like following imagination, getting lost in mountain, forest, lake, abandoned building, abandoned playground, basement, rooftop, or any area they suddenly felt they belong there. Then they come back again tomorrow and the day after, until they find themselves not belong to there anymore. Maybe that caused by instinct, or maybe just a child selfishness. However, the hunger is real. The feeling to keep searching a place where they belong. 

That is why I just this feeling, like having a group where I like to stay. Continuously living, following the great flow. Ah, where are they now. I have spotted others porters still working, but I cannot find them. Hmm, maybe I am not searching hard enough. They usually choose the farther carriage first, planning to be closer and closer for each finished job, then end up near the entrance and immediately take breakfast together. What a simple method, but still effective. I don’t know where they learn to do that, maybe from their past experiences by being porter for long time. Ah, I think I spotted them. There they are working on the farther carriage as usual, I can see them from this distance. There are some trees separating us, holding the morning dew to not lifted quickly, keeping the low temperature around this area. My fur thicken instinctively, trapping some random falling dews on its tip, slowly flowing the hardness fur toward my skin. I got chill from the sudden bite of dew, shoving it to spread it out and make it evaporate quickly. I put my hand on the nearest tree and suddenly realize it wetness, then continue walking. They are still working, one of them comes out to put the crate in order, then walking back in. Then the other come out, put the crate, then walk back in. I just smiling, enjoying the same scenery I have meet everyday. Ah, I feel so pumped only by looking their work.  

The owner beside the carriage notices my appearance and gives a warm smile. I answer her by bending my body a little, and then continue walking. Sunlight trespassing from the tree branches, giving a warning for the changing time. The air has become warmer, slowly treating the skin to be able receiving more heat. The dews on my fur now feel like crystalized ice needle, thrusting the cold from all direction. I shake my body to splatter them from my fur, then shove my shoulders with my palm. A faint wetness slowly disappear from my perception, changing into the warmth of sunlight. I lift my right leg and start climbing the carriage. A familiar figure greeting me with a smile, then continue doing his job. Another one shows up from behind a luggage “Ah, welcome back mister Lukav” he point his thumb toward the crate “Let’s go”. 

Words : 1015

[lukavminaev]

I pick up the crate as it landed to my hand, then passed it to the next person who has assigned to organize it. With this, we can effectively moving the crates and organizing it based on owner request. One by one the crates moved out, passed from one person to another in rhythmic speed. I applaud this method. With this we can decrease the number of need for using our energy and increasing the stability of the content inside the crate, this can be done as long as the porters are all in synchronize. However, we don’t always use this method because it hard to be applied when handling more larger crates. Well, even I can lift it, I doubt the others can, and that will just defeat the purpose of working together. With that reason, we just use this method in time like this. Enjoying as it was our special move. I can hear my friend humming, following the rhythm of our move. He sometimes humming, especially when we use this method. The other one laughing faintly every time he do that, putting a contagious gleeful expression on him. I just smile, enjoying this moment. 

The humming vibrating thorough the tree. The branches swaying as if dancing following the tune. The melody spreading, engulf the carriage, flying by the wind, and travel to the far end of city. the world become more pink, and yellow, and orange, and blue, and pink again. Circling endlessly as if inviting me to dance. Everything goes in music. Even in my view the city itself humming, inviting people to dance freely, free following their desire. I can see the scenery of people dancing in circle. I am watching man and woman dancing happily, circling in couple, hold each other hand, swaying the body following the music. I can even smell the roasts, the real flavored meat roasts. Along with green vegetables, redden tomatoes, fruits and juices. All reserved for everyone who want to eat it. Everyone laughing, smiling, enjoying the festival as if there is no tomorrow. Everyone happy on equal ground. 

The weight of crate bring me back to my consciousness. The porter near me laughing loudly, as if he was holding it the whole time, enjoying my zombie-working mode. Dammit man, you can at least warn me. I laugh a little for the atmosphere while still continue my work. Ah, what a corn laugh. Still, this moment is what I search. A place where I can finally feel at home. A freedom in reality. A moment with friends. Release us from the weight of reality, everything we do feels like freedom. The porter humming again, bringing fantasy to reality, enjoying the imagination dancing freely. I hold myself to not imagining too much, concentrating on doing my job properly, trying to focus more on the task in hand. One two, one two, I am humming myself, calculating the efficiency of my timing, stressing on how much it will add to our productivity. With this mass of crate, the usual content is delicate things, then this crate can be moving with this kind of swinging speed. On the other hand, with this mass of crate, I can sway it faster without too much thinking about the content. The other crates too, everything can be calculated, with that in mind I can conclude the right move to bring method that is more productive. The porter near me laughing again, but this time is because my robotic movement. 

We have done our task with this carriage. Normally, we need to wait the other guy with cart to move it to the market. We have a job to load it to the cart, but not unload it since it will be between the cart puller and crates owner. Sure some porter giving extra service for all load and unload the crates, but not us. Not that serious reason, it’s more like we just emphasis more on fastening the process at this city entrance. With all the porter back and forth to the city, it will take long time for other merchants to get their turn. The entrance will full with merchant who still waiting for their crates to be moved to the marketplace. And so here we are waiting for the cart puller Usually they contracted exclusively by the merchant, we have no direct business with them. Even some of porters don’t know much about their cart puller. Even that is the circumstance, there is no distance between us, they can still be friendly and casually greet us in random encounter. By looking at it, more like we have no special occasion to talk casually with each other, rather than distancing ourselves. 

Hmm, looking at the city from this side truly eluding my view. It looks more like a huge green city rather than ruins. All big roads are somewhat visible from here, even part of them are hidden behind the buildings, allowing me to track the movement of the crowds around the city. traveling with my mind to the places I have visited before. Walking with my imaginary avatar to the side of building, I have never set my foot before. Everything viewed from new perspective. The circumstance and the angle really change my view about particular building. From a normal looking cake shop to strategically built customer’s bakery building. From roadside accessory stand to largest free to view unique merchandise. Anything has its plus and minus, that usually hidden from certain people, eluded with their stronger desire. And so there is time like this, when you just relaxing your mind and randomly look at things, they will have different story to tell. Ah, that must be the cart puller. It’s about time we move to the next carriage, continue our task as the day still too early. 

We load the crates one by one to the cart, as the cart puller busy discussing the expense with the merchant. I can see his hand dividing gold for us and cart puller. As I said, the day is still new and everyone who work will get their reward. 

---

Words : 1023

[lukavminaev]

If you compare it to real life, there are more nicer people in here, or at least just the people I have meet. I don’t know, maybe because in my eyes, they are nice people, they don’t have any desire to rule over others. Rather, they just living their live peacefully and enjoy it. In real life, you can easily spot a number of people who can lightheartedly kick others only to fulfill their selfish desire, sacrifice them as they are born only to be sacrificed. Or people who like to classify others in pyramid and placing them at the bottom classes. Maybe they thought the world is so tiny that one must step on others to be able to reach the top. Or maybe, they just cannot comprehend the amount of information flooding from outside their boundary, and try to protect themselves in ignorance. That’s how I justify my own ignorance, being gargoyle who like watching from the sideline, let the world evolving without me. At least, I don’t force my idea too much, and just try to see all of people in equal ground. I thought even I am ignorance, I just being a self-selfish ignorance, one with no connection on others. Still, deep in my heart, I imagine a world where people don’t have to do such things and still find the meaning in their live. Hmm, maybe even that truly happen, it will crumbles as soon as there is person who like to manipulate others. Meh, why the hell I need to think all of those things. I just a player who trapped inside a game world. I have no luxury to change people’s view. Rather, I just fulfil my role in this sideline, watching them even they like separating among themselves by making smaller groups. By being such small entity, I think I just try being nice to whomever I meet. Hell, even being nice can still mislead someone because of different perspective.

Me and the other porters still standing near the carriage. We don’t have to wait for too long, the cart puller have finished his negotiation with the merchant. We start loading the crates to the cart. It’s easy, since we have organized them beforehand. Which crate can handle the weight more, which crate need to be locked by other crates in position, also which crate cannot be disturbed by heavy vibration. All of them have been organized into groups, and each of us already understand what we need to do. I handle the larger crate, holding it while waiting for the others to organize other crates nearby, and then place it. The crates arranged neatly on the cart. The weight is just fine as usual, fitting nicely with the cart. Part of it was because the competence of merchant who planned all of the process ahead, calculating any possible occurrence that likely happen during the process. Everyone taking thing seriously, yet they still can act casually like always. Their experiences train them to able to think along the process, even sometimes their thought traveling somewhere else. At least, that’s how I look them. To be able to do such thing, must because they have long experience in this job, after all this is how they can earn their gold.

The merchant giving a small bag of gold to us and saying if she can depend on us again tomorrow. (Yawn) such a great feeling when you know your customer feeling pleased, meaning there will be enough job for tomorrow. We moving to the next carriage, lifting and moving it as usual, while still concern about merchant request in the process. Yep, after knowing all of the tricks, this job is just another repeating process. Forcing our body to learn, more than our mind, still it has some positive effect like less stress. I can just enjoy chatting and joking together while still at work. It makes the clients wary at first, but after they know what we capable of, they will just let it go. There are even some clients who joining our talk, we use such opportunity to try being friendly and learn more information. Creating an opportunity for us being likable so the customer preference is more to our service. Tricking is not an option, even the seller become smarter to trick the customers the customers also can grow smarter. In the end, customer will search who can do the job for them, not people who just like to use their mind to trick them. Actually, I think advertising is not the best skill those three have, it’s more like their innocence and capability on doing the job right. Well, I never saw one who survive by just being innocence in real live, or maybe not yet. Counting from the weird competitive world of market, one just can easily be bully in the name of ‘competition’. Bah, I am thinking too far again, forgetting about the job in front of me. Such thing I cannot keep as trait. The more I grow, the more I will face matters that need constant concentration rather than just dozing of. Keeping my mind still in place and rather thinking about my surrounding. Hmm, there is not much to do except lifting the crates. Doing almost the same thing until our time for breakfast, then tomorrow repeating the same process again. Such is the porter live. Still, I like being surrounded by friend and doing a honest job. Well, for me it’s just for the sake of helping them and having fun. My actual job will be my usual schedule in Windsor Greatwood.

Another carriage has done, our job is not that far from finish. A faint sunlight telling me if we still follow the schedule. The fog had been lifted a bit, I can still see its thickness among the trees far from us, suggesting the creatures to be prepared for warmer temperature. A can still feel a bit of cold from the metal around the crate, perhaps it’s too fast to expect everything will getting warmer. I avoid from holding the crate in that area, I can still keep the balance with my strength so there is no big deal. Beside me is the usual porter guy, I can even measure his strength only by the outer appearance. Not that he has anything that stand out, but the way he use his hand is pretty skillful, I can’t even figure if he feel the crate is too heavy or too light. Every crate moved and placed proficiently in order, it almost like he was using magic. Well, I know he didn’t, it just what I thought by looking at him. Surely, I think if I have his skill and my strength, I can handle the crates more efficiently and increase productivity. When there is a teacher, learning process will be more focused. Hmm, right, it’s not that much hassle to try learning how such thing done, after all this is the thing porter usually do. Also, it needed for me to understand my limit, and try to lift that limitation. Let’s see, ah, for start he can hold the crates even from the cold metal side. Well, so do I.

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Words : 1208

[lukavminaev]

According to our schedule, we have arrived to the latest carriage for today. The place is near entrance as expected. I am getting nearer to the crowd. As I heard the buzzing sounds filling the street, it so hard to recognize what each of sounds is. I shift my focus only to the voices near me,so I can try to skip other sounds and only recognize the sound I want to hear in my mind, the voice of command from my porter friend. I move my agile body, swinging left and right to lighten my reflexes. After all, this job for me is part of my daily exercise.As adventurer, it will be more reasonable for me to earn gold by hunting some monsters rather than doing job outside my subclass. I wonder if there is other adventurer who likes to blend among Landers like me. Hmm, am I just stating my odd behavior? Meh, it’s not like I like to be different. I just want to able to talk wherever I am, to whomever I meet. I feel like I become more accepted by my surrounding when I do that, and I feel there are many Landers out there who like to chat. After all, I see them as normal human being. Or more likely, a human race that live in this area. Is that a strange thing to do? Nah, even if thisis strange I may still do it. I am not socializing by purpose for being watched. 

However, I am glad to be able to socialize like this. Meeting those three, chatting with eccentric merchant, I thought I am alive. Having people who talk to me as I am a natural human being in this game world, made me happy. Surely, isn’t it part of definition of being alive. Walking on this ground, eating this world’s foods, socializing with people, all of these show me how glad I am able to feel ‘live’ here. Not just a feeling of lost soul possessing a strange creature and live with its body. Everything felt so natural here. I don’t even feel like I walk on a strange world, rather I feel like I was born in an unknown tribe somewhere on earth. This world makes me feel like a turtle inside a crate, just know anything inside the box, and then surprised how vast the world outside. I am still holding the crate, waiting for other porter in front of me finish his task. From a far I spotted a familiar figure running to my direction, holding a piece of paper in his hand. Ah, I know him, he works for that eccentric merchant. “Mister Lukav, I got a message for you” he handed me the paper, and then quickly run back “see ya…” I put the crate down, then flip the paper. There is something written there. “Kid, so you have been accepted to work there. Hell, I may meet you there when I bring the supply”. Meh, so that merchant still remember me. I fold the paper and slip it in my inventory, then continue my work.  

The sun already high enough for the building’s wall to reflect it. Some ruins and tree still blocking the sunlight to not directly hit our body, and protect us from blinding strong light. Some of the mush has been dried on the tree branch, maybe I can cripple it a bit to see the habitant beneath it. Ah, remind me from the time when I was a kid, something I rarely do as I am now a grown adult. Such a fun period, spending my time in forest. Compared to what I am now, maybe I can only enjoy it by watching. Eh, maybe I can do it again now as adventurer. After all, to earn gold all we do is hunting, kill the monsters and the gold will dropped, and the monsters will respawn again. Such luxury cannot be found in real life. Well, at least the reward may not be a gold, a universal trading currency that always be accepted anywhere in Elder Tale. Also, I adventurer can spend his days soloing a weaker monsters for living, there is no need to beg to upper executive for day off or wanting to increase the salary. Adventurers just need to bash more monster if they want more gold. However there is still this kind of job for alternative way to earn gold, such options are for player who familiar with real world profession, or most Landers way of live.Ah, this must be the last crate I put from the current task. With this, our job is more or less complete. Huuuft, ah, that’s right, there still be payment time. Well, just let them handle it, because that will be their earning. I don’t even look when the merchant walking at me, and just glad when one of those three stopping her and said he will handle the payment. The other two looking at me in different way “what?” surely, I capture such strange vibe from their eyes today, I don’t know why. I am looking at them pleadingly as I ask them, but both of them just laughing faintly “it’s nothing mister Lukav, don’t worry” meh, “man, just talk to me. I know there is something about me right?” I spread my arms as I ask them again, then cross my arms on my chest. “Ah, riiiiight…” they look at each other “well, let’s just wait him first” he tilts his head a little toward the porter who still discussing with the merchant lady. Then we let the place become silent, just us standing and crossing our arms. I am looking at them one after another, searching if there is a hint of their sudden change toward me. One of them just cover his mouth whenever my gaze shifted to him, the other just holding his laugh and try looking to other direction. “Man, what with you guys, surely you should talk it to me, I can…” “there you are mister Lukav” the one who was discussing with the merchant before surprising me with his palm on my back. “Well then, shall we take breakfast together?” 

Four of us sitting and facing each other. Those three eating their foods together, I still sit with my arms crossed, refuse to eat. “Come on mister Lukav… why so mad” “hmph” I tilt my head to the left, avoid looking directly at them. It’s you guys fault anyway, what with such treatment, and don’t even bother to explain it to me. Man, how much you guys value our friendship anyway, to left me behind without telling me anything, such treatment. Hmm… why so silent? I open my eyes a little and look at their direction. I can see their cheeks bulging, holding the surge for not laughing aloud. Smmmh, what kind of act is that. “Guys, I would be mad for sure you know” and, they stopped but still smiling funnily “ah, forgive us mister Lukav. It just your reaction is very funny” meh “the truth is…” now they surely stopped smiling and looking at me with thoughtful expression. “We think…” “Seriously think…” “We cannot hold you back anymore mister Lukav…” “After all, you are adventurer. You know, beating goblins, travelling and stuff…” I… do not know what to say in time like this. Sure, I have friends, or maybe similar to friends in real world. I have my bros, we still being all friendly even now. I never mention them saying a goodbye. “But…” damn, I don’t know the right word for this. One of them shake his own head, as the other said, “Ah, we didn’t mean you are unwelcomed here” really? “You are an adventurer, I am sure there are many things you must do out there rather than just holding back with us” “Aaaaand… don’t forget to come back here sometimes” ah, so that what it means, but I feel it still like a goodbye, even with different form. Days, will be different from now. I don’t know when I walk out of entrance in the morning without them I… “Uwaaaaaa…..” (bro hug). 

“Guys, thank you for taking care of me all this time” “you too mister Lukav” (smile) “well then, goodbye” “goodbye” “bye” “see ya”. 

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Words : 1375

[lukavminaev]

“Yo” “woo, it mister Lukav again” “yaaaay” “welcome” three porters surrounding the embers of bonfire while sitting on logs. ah… how long have it been. I already miss their familiar expression. I gave them warm bear hugs one by one, and then take a sit on nearest log, joining their breakfast. I take the usual tasteless breads from my inventory, and start crunching it. Nyeh, once again, I am glad I can eat while surrounded by friends. Such thing is what I should treasure more. Sure, the taste is nothing compared to how happy I am to meet some familiar faces. Like always, I eat the bread happily and chat with them. Today however, there are things that different from their appearance, like they have improved somehow, or they are more cleaner than usual in my eyes. Really, are they that clean since before I left, or it’s my eyes that playing trick. I chuckle for sudden realization and made them shift their gaze to me, and throw me funny intrigued expression. “Meh, it’s nothing” I wave my bread a little, then continue eating it. They are looking on each other and then frown while continue eating. Maybe, they just refer it as my usual antic. Sure, they know me since we have spent our time working together. And that’s why deep down inside me I feel a little guilt, and decide to explain about it later. 

“So, how about your job mister Lukav” “hmm?” a sudden question throw me back to reality “yeah, was that so interesting, you even forgot visiting us” he said that with funny face. We are laughing for a while, and then smiling, before I decide to answer “well” I shove my palms together to get rid of breadcrumbs “I can’t say I hate it. I like being a blacksmith, but…” “was the job hard?” “not really” “you don’t like the payment?” “no” “the boss is being difficult?” “hmm… not too. Eh, maybe…” “don’t worry” one of them pat my shoulder “it’s always hard at first” I ponder for a moment, thinking about his answer. Well, not that I feel it related, but I know what he means, and why he said that. So, I just pat his arm like I usually do, and say it calmly “don’t worry about it” he takes that peacefully and back to where he sit. It’s not like I try to hide things from them. I realize what I find is comfort, more than just logical answer. The more I think about it, the more stress pilling in my head. Moreover, it was not a problem at all. It just I was feeling troubled in work, while in fact I can still do my job without too much thinking about those things. However, if those three decide to openly talk to me about it, I may just open to them, tell them everything about it. Also, I avoid giving them more headaches since they already have their work to think about. With so many things to do, I don’t think they want anymore unsolvable things nested in their heads. I shift my gaze to the crowd, trying to bring myself back. The crowd today is not the largest, but sure they fill the walkway quickly. I cannot find any opening to see the scenery behind, and so any possible way to the merchant’s carriage. Ah, somehow I miss my old time working with them, our team maybe not the swiftest or giving most complete services, but we work hard everyday to do the job right. Ah, I even remember the usual faces around here, being it porters or merchants. I wonder if I can works with them again in near future. Really? I want to be back with them that much? I think, maybe I can start working with them again in the morning, and then continue working as blacksmith. Hmm yeah, that will do. Now I have determination again, I feel like I can do anything. Yeah, I should tell them about it. “Umm, guys I…” “do you want to leave already?” “I hope you success with your work” “take care” meh, this is why I got uncomfortable around ‘friends’. Although, I am not dislike it, I just can feel freedom for this kind of moment. A freedom like, I just want to be with them again, but I cannot talk about it. Seems like, everything about comfort, is just my excuse to feel better, and that exactly why I cannot force it to them, afraid if they don’t like it. I know, deep in my heart, if can think objectively and look at things. There may be a reason for me to look at them as they like me being with them. However, all of that is just in my mind, I don’t know if it can apply to reality. I am afraid if reality doesn’t move the same way as I thought. So, I just smile, curving my mouth a little to inform them that I understand what they mean in their words. I take a large volume of air, and then breathe it out, and stand. ”Thank you guys” “you too mister Lukav” “good bye mister Lukav” “come here again tomorrow” I have taken a few steps so I turn my upper body facing them. “Yeah yeah sure, see you guys tomorrow” I wave my hand and continue walking toward the city. Ah, yes, I might as well concentrating on doing my job properly. Nevertheless, they have giving me so much hope. If I can’t do the work for me, then let it be for them. They are my precious bros, so I must work hard to realize their dream, and maybe my dream. I chuckled, sigh, now am I to serious with my character? Isn’t this only supposed as game? However, the more I live on it, the more thought it is the reality I must crawl on. Whether it will be game world or real world, if I want to make my way, I must make efforts to gain it. 

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Words : 1017

[lukavminaev]

I take my time sitting outside the city while looking around people busy with their work. Those three porters however, they are now busy on their assignment on the farthest carriage as usual, leaving me by myself. I have offered to help, but they just tell me to enjoy sitting here, waiting for their return. Meh, why it is so hard to express what I want. I only want to socialize. I let out long sigh while stretching my body. This morning will be long one, since there isn’t anything I can do, or rather there is no job in my schedule. I take my time, sitting and trying to enjoy the scenery, resting my back on the tree. I close my eyes, cheating on my own schedule, and continue my night rest. Hmm, yeah, it should be too contrast when one notice there is one guy who enjoy his rest while other people struggling with their jobs. So, even I have taught to just sit and wait, I cannot help but think there should be things I can help, escaping from being different. My mind struggling between sailing to the dream world, or just stay awake and wait like gargoyle. Meh, now I cannot enjoy this nap. I should just wake up and take a walk instead. Without long pause, I stand and stretch my body, embracing the sensation. (Yawn) where should I go then, there are so much people here and all of them seems busy. I cannot bother them, can I? they may don’t have time even for chat. Considering it’s on early morning. Well, there are some people I know that enjoy being bothered but I think I cannot generalize it. Moreover this is a rather different world. I may can cope with some people but I don’t think I can understand the majority. Meh, thinking about that will just keep me in this spot. Well, it’s not bad thing, but I think I rather choose to roam and find if I can spot something interesting. 

Then, I take a walk around and spot something rather familiar. Hmm, isn’t that ‘his’ carriage? A sudden funny idea struck my mind, and made me smile while walking toward there. Ah right, I forgot about timing. There should be a lot of buyers around this time. Yeah, I am right, there they are crowding around the man. His expression is firm as usual, which made me let out another smile. Now that is very familiar expression. I am crossing my arm and observing from afar. Hmm, now that I think about it, there should be someone I also rather familiar with. I make my way toward the back of carriage, and happy with my finding. There he is, another familiar face I am looking for. “Oh, hi mister Lukav. How’s your work?” a porter currently moving some crates as usual. I don’t recall anything changed from him from my quick observance, but I thought it may just in my view since I have meet him several times before. So, my opinion on him is rather biased. “Well, today I am not going there yet” I offer my arms to help him moving the crates “ah, that’s right” he passes the crate to me, and I arrange it. “It’s lucky to see you guys here today” he just laugh “what are you talking about mister, we have been here for several days” “really?” “yeah” I don’t know about it. Well, I don’t even know his schedule after all, so I just end my amazement and leave it as it is. We continue the passing the crates while chatting about many casual things. Time passed and the crowd seems have gone back to their own business. The merchant has moved to the back but he didn’t even bother to greeting me, and now he just busy managing her balance reports. I just take my time and chat with his porter, telling my story about working in blacksmith workshop. Then, a quick glance thrown at me as I can sense it was from the merchant. “So you have meet him?” he said that without changing his viewing direction. “Yeah…” I said that while looking directly at him. He shift his gaze for moment, and just go back to anything he is currently do. “Then, have you take the lore” “The quest?” “Yeah, I refer him to you because the lore. You are adventurer right?” a sudden realization bring me back to my sense and now I just stare at him. “Well, he doesn’t accept unexperienced adventurers for the lore, so I thought you may just found it as an empty hope” I just frown and let out long sigh “I think I should ask him about it someday” “oh, you should” he smiled a little “and by the way.. get the hell out of my place! Now that you’ve done your business with me!” Tch, “well, thanks for the info” I wave my hand to the porter and make my way back. 

There is nothing much happened in my way back, so I arrived to the place relatively easy. Then, I find them “Ah sorry, I just wandered around” I said that while still standing in my position, looking at them carefully. Whether I deny it or not, the fact that I have ignored their request is still there, since they have said to me to just sit nicely and wait for their return. However I found the atmosphere rather cheery here with their happy faces and fresh smiles, which made me wonder what causing it. I notice something rather familiar in their hands. “What are you guys eating?” one of the porters look at me and showing the food in his hand, which immediately answers my curiosity. “Oooh, come sit mister Lukav. You want cucumber?” I squinted at him when he said that, but then I just nod and take my seat. “No, thank you” ”Don’t you guys cook it? you know, crippling it and apply salt, chilies, and onions?” they just stare at me for moments and shake their heads. Ah, right I don’t find any food like that here yet. I don’t ask any further since I am also hungry and rather enjoy my usual food, so the topic just naturally disappear. We chat about other casual things, while enjoy our foods. Surely, I think I still have to struggle about the same problem as previously happens when I meet them. I may or may not aware of their true opinion about me, or I just ignore the fact that they may just want to not bother me. However that option is rather fogged in my mind, it just crossing with the fact that I want to embrace that feeling, enjoying being among friends. But no, I can’t push myself past the barrier. I feel like the thin layer that separate us will break if I tried that, and something I can’t undo might happen. So, after the breakfast done, I just say bye to them and go back to the city. 

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Words : 1183