[center][h2]Aster[/h2][/center]
Aster mentally cursed herself for her vanity. In choosing the nicer clothing, she had both left herself under-defended, and revealed her extreme inexperience with the finer points of the game. It was a small thing, but it forced her to make a decision which she wouldn't have even considered in a less mortally-threatening situation. She would simply have to put her faith in these two relative strangers, and allow herself to be a bit vulnerable with them, at least until she figured out the ins and outs of the game. It was ver much against her natural instincts, but this was no normal situation, not by a long shot. There was no way that she was going to die for her pride, especially as her vanity had already proven dangerous.

[color=f7976a]“So Aster, the game can be taught. We all have to level anyway so we’ll do some grinding to get you in shape! However, there is a minor issue that occurred to me. Really it’s trivial but its best to cover all our bases. Now see this here? We call this armor. When you take damage, it reduces the amount taken depending on several variables. Useful in a death game, I’m sure you could imagine. I can’t help but notice you aren’t wearing any but you are wearing nicer clothes than most. You wouldn’t happen to have some floating around in your inventory no? Maybe some Renn to purchase some? Because if not, I’ll need to make some for you because I’m not taking anyone out that doesn’t have some form of protection."[/color]

"I... Um. I don't have any other clothing, just these and the quality shoes. I figured there had to be some benefit to using nicer items, so I... may have used all of my Renn." She looked away, flushing slightly with shame at her ignorant choice. After half a moment, she met his eyes once more. "If you'd be willing to make me some armor of some kind, I'd be very grateful, but I don't have any cloth or sewing tools. I don't really have any practical skills to pay you back with, either. I put my points towards health, combat, and..." Her voice became much softer, almost as though she didn't want either of the other two to hear her. "And dancing." She looked up, blushing furiously, eyes narrowed, daring either of them to comment on her admittedly unusual choice of skill.

[color=fff200]"Have no fear, Aster! I promise to keep everyone in the party safe from harm, so you can learn from me and Kajin."

"B-but don't worry about not knowing much about the game. You two just gotta think about it like a regular MMO - only difference is it's a lot more immersive. Graphics are better than normal, that kind of stuff. Just focus less on the details, and it'll feel way more natural."

"But the armor issue... Well, just avoid drawing too much attention. I got a spell that draws aggro, so you just have to make sure to deal some damage, and stop for a bit when the enemy starts to get angry at you. Besides, you're a tough gal - You got 1000 HP! I doubt many monsters could 1-shot you on this floor, and I'll be able to draw aggro while you get healed up by Kajin. Hell, if you're worried, take him up on his offer to make you armor - he probably has a crafting skill in something."

"I got a pretty good understanding of the skill system so far though. But enough of that - We should start doing something, grind a little while all the good spots are empty. I'd recommend searching for a quest before hand - we'll be able to use some of the Renn to buy armor for Aster or something."[/color]

Aster's face had by now returned to its natural porcelain tone, all traces of her vividly red embarrassment vanished entirely, a fresh facade of feigned competence and confidence having replaced it. "I think that I agree with Dirk. The best thing to do for now would probably be to get some experience and, with help from you two, figure out how this game works. You're right, I do have quite a bit of health. If you're willing to try it, I'd like to attempt a basic quest, and maybe see about getting ahead of the other players."

Though she didn't say so, and though she would deny such thoughts if questioned, Aster was reluctant to expand their little party any larger than it was now. In the real world, she'd never had many friends, and as much as she liked these two, she rather disliked the idea of opening up to any others. Her rational mind knew that she hadn't shared much yet, and that it was really a matter of survival more than anything else- safety in numbers and all that- but even so, she preferred to imagine that it was possible for their surprisingly-balanced little group to survive on its own. If she was going to keep the group together as it was, she'd have to prove herself capable, and certainly not share the reality of her life back home.

[right][sub]Interacting with:
[@Duoya][@Achronum][/sub][/right]