[center][color=6ecff6][h1]Steven[/h1][/color] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/463183e1-1cab-4444-a31f-416e50b20b52.png[/img][/center] [center][h1][color=f7976a]Xenos[/color][/h1][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/SzUn3y2.png?1[/img][/center] [hider= Earlier in the afternoon] [color=6ecff6]”Sure. How long has it been? Two years? I don’t remember, but it certainly is a long time.”[/color] Steven said. [color=6ecff6]”But anyway, the festival features some good stuff. We’ll walk to see what is up.”[/color][hr] The market was as busy as it could be. Hundreds to thousands of PCs and NPCs are pouring from different corners of the city, trying to sell, buy or just socializing with other people. It is easy to fall behind and get lost in the ocean of people, and certainly not very comfortable for someone like Steven. An introvert at its core, he found life amongst the large body of human relatively tiresome. But even here, as much as he wanted to stay in his room, enjoy some good solitude and work his way up the ladder by himself, he could not. Just like the real world, if you wanted to be successful, you had to work your muscles a bit. The gem that is keeping him charged up until now is his friend here, Xenos. He did not know Xenos for long. He was a classmate met through some intertwining courses in university. If his memory wasn’t fooling around, he shared three courses, and by the third ones, he had already been one of his close friends that he could chill out and talk openly at any times. Unfortunately though, as Steven began to dig deeper in his journey to the centre of knowledge, Xenos left academia and went on to work. Time began to become sparse for each, so the good old days were pretty much left behind. He never would’ve thought the time he recollect these memories would be during this dark hour. [color=6ecff6]”It’s hard to believe it’s so peaceful and normal in here. Humans are adaptive creatures after all, I suppose.”[/color] He said, as he glanced around the market. [color=6ecff6]”I guess my thesis is doomed now.”[/color] Xenos chuckled. [color=f7976a]“People do what they have to do, ya know? If you let it get to you well… it's just better that you don’t.”[/color] He sighed, shaking his head to clear away the thoughts. It was a festival so it was no time to feel all down and about! [color=f7976a]“Now none of this sad talk beautiful. Its a festival and we should enjoy it! I mean, free food am I right?”[/color] He wound his arm into Steven’s. [color=f7976a]“I know you don’t like crowds much so stick with me and I’ll see what we can do to get out of this mess. God knows I’ve been in the market often enough.”[/color] He tugged Steven along, snatching up food from here and drinks from there as the passed through, passing them to the other Tinker to hold. It felt like old times when they were still in college together, Steven stuck in some reading or prepping some study and wandering into the worst parts of the campus and Xenos would have to drag him out before he started scaring everyone away. Xenos dragged him to the edge of the market, where the crowd had thinned and a single musician played merrily as a few people danced along.[color=f7976a] “Alrighty! A little quieter than the rest of this mosh pit at least. Gotta say, not a bad way to treat a date huh? Music, dancing, a little food and drink.”[/color] He said teasingly as he gestured to the pile he shoved onto Steven on the way through the crowd and then snatched up some and started eating, making himself comfortable on a bench. [color=f7976a]“You mentioned a thesis before. What were you working on before this? We haven’t really had a chance to hang since… well, a while ago!”[/color] [color=6ecff6]”I must agree. If somebody actually takes an interests in me, this place would be ideal to make the final blow. If. If. Emphasizes if…”[/color] Steven joked back, being completely aware of his eccentricities acting as the deterring factor for any women he came to know during his lifetime. He really wondered if his companion for today had any partner yet. He would not be surprised if he did. When he could drag this fellow pedantic but smart individual out to society, picking up someone seemed like just passing by the post office on his way to work. [color=6ecff6]”Huh? My thesis?”[/color] Finally something he could talk freely about. [color=6ecff6]”I am in a PhD program, and I was working on a thesis that analyzes the effects of us diving into a virtual world like this one. Since VR tech was being the most promising in the world today, there were concerns raised about it, like how every innovations and inventions do. So I figure I should clear out those thoughts, or try to.”[/color] This dialogue that he just spewed out in these few seconds was even longer than all of what he said during the entire trip combined. [color=6ecff6]”This game was intended to be a stone that kills two birds. Both for relaxation and for research purposes. But the moment I think should be for relaxation...well turned out to be this.”[/color] He chuckled in the light of such cruel event. Like Xenos said, no sad talk. [color=6ecff6]”How about you though? I haven’t heard from you for a while. What have you been doing since?”[/color] [color=f7976a]”Work, work, and more work. I mean at least I got a job and in my field but they are slave drivers.”[/color] Xenos grumbled, sipping at something. What it was, who knows but no better time to try than now. He made a face at it and put it down. [color=f7976a]”Once I graduated, I was pretty worried I wouldn’t find anything so I am thankful for it. At least I don’t have to move back in with the family, as much as I love them all. I was with someone for like a year, I really liked them too, but got dumped when they took a scholarship opportunity out of the country. But that’s about it.”[/color] He shrugged and tried another thing he grabbed and hummed pleasantly as he bit into it. Much better than the drink. [color=f7976a]”Hey, do you think it’s lame we picked Tinker as a class? I mean, we do this kinda shit outside of the game and yet here we are, clinging to the familiar instead trying the fantastical. The whole point of a fantasy game is to be whatever you want and we chose to be us basically.”[/color] Xenos spoke thoughtfully as he watch a group of mages meander by, laughing loudly against the music. [color=f7976a]”I guess on one hand we’re in a better position than most. Familiar ground and all that shit. But on the other, what does it say about us that we would rather cling to what is and not what could be?”[/color] Steven laughed a little at the work part. Indeed this world wasn’t really meant for him. The way the corporates just tried to suck every ounce of strength and positive outlooks in life with their 9 to 5 cycle. Another part of the reason why Steven abandoned his original post and returned to academia. They had high pays, but everybody knew, even research and psychology had proven, that after a certain point in life, an increase in money does not equal increase in happiness. When certain needs had been met, they just didn’t matter anymore. He then pondered at the question. His irises eyed the table, hidden behind the thick layer of glasses, as he covered his lip with his hands. [color=6ecff6]”I never actually thought that before. But it’s a part of the exposure effect that we all have.”[/color] He looked over to another group of friends of different classes, as he sipped his drinks. [color=6ecff6]”And maybe because it is what we actually and really like ourselves. I mean I could have played as a paladin, but when it comes to hypothesizing new ideas, it is in our blood now. I guess it is a matter of personality. Can’t blame anyone of us for it.”[/color] He placed his cup down before shrugging as well. [color=6ecff6]”But now it’s a different story. They’d need our expertise. Everybody.”[/color][hr] The day was turning redder by the minutes. The sky was switching their outfit, as the sun moved from one corner to the other. It was amazing to think that all of these were made by artificial zeroes and ones that could be formulated by a machine. [color=6ecff6]”I hear about the guild recruitment. Lots of benefit I hear, but I wonder how do you actually join one?”[/color] Xenos nodded at his explanation and eyed his friend. [color=f7976a]”A guild? You weren’t ever one to pledge your serves to anything. Imminent threat of death change your mind on that?”[/color] Xenos joked. [color=f7976a]”But its easy. Find a guild you wanna join and ask them. Then, the whole group has to vote you in and BLAM! You’re a guildy. Super easy. If you want, I can introduce you to…”[/color] Xenos paused as a notification popped up on his dashboard and he gasped. [color=f7976a]“Speaking of the guild, a PKer just killed on of our members.”[/color] Xenos said grimly. [color=f7976a]“I didn’t really have a chance to know this Karma guy but damn, no one deserves to get killed in this game. The guildmaster is all fired up about hunting this guy down too.”[/color] Xenos didn’t particular hold an opinion of the recently deceased but he could sympathize with Reylan. Losing someone like that… Xenos hissed as his head pounded again and grimaced. [color=f7976a]”I wonder if they have painkillers in game.”[/color] He muttered to himself. [color=f7976a]”Well, I think introducing you to the guildmaster might have to wait but I can introduce you to a few other people in the guild if you want to check ours out.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]”I do not usually align with any guilds, but this time it seems that the benefit of joining one outweighs, so I figure I should...hey, you alright?”[/color] The glassed man looked over to see his friend clenching his forehead, as if he was about to break from the anger. [color=6ecff6]”That would be great. Thanks. But before that, I need to drop my inventory and get my gears first. If you don’t mind accompanying me.”[/color] With that said, Steven quickly but gently finished his drinks and stood up, this time taking the initiative and be at the lead, heading out of the festival for his room. There, excusing himself for a minute or two, he discarded all his woods, irons and crystals he just bought and re-equipped his guns, ammunitions and was ready to meet whoever may be his allies in the near future. [color=6ecff6]”Alright, let’s go.”[/color] [/hider] While heading to wherever Xenos was trying to meet him up with his guild, Steven noticed something. [color=6ecff6]”One moment, if you don’t mind.”[/color] He stopped right at the clothing store, as he looked over the samples. His eyes glanced briefly through the sections, seemingly assessing them in his mind. Shortly after he eyes on only one item. [color=6ecff6]”I wish to buy the white one please, thank you.”[/color] He politely requested, as the NPC smiled with courtesy. [color=fff257]”Fancy Clothes? That would be 70 Renn please.”[/color] No big deal. A message popped up in front of him, notifying him of the purchase. Without much hesitation, he clicked yes. Immediately, another message popped up, confirming the purchase. He quickly got into the menu and went into his profile. Soon, he was flashing up like a wisp for a brief moment before fading back into normal, this time donning a [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/404f3073-7b32-40ad-b786-46b1d5b99519.jpg] serious-looking yet grand white cloak and suit[/url] that merely served as cosmetic. Quite a bit for investment, but Steven just shrugged it off with the explanation [color=6ecff6]”It feels good to be nicely dressed when you are about to meet someone.”[/color] [color=f7976a]“Looking snazzy!”[/color] Xenos flashed him a grin and a thumbs up and typed out a message to the guild. [hider=Guild Chat Message]Hey, anyone free to meet up during the festival?[/hider] [color=f7976a]”Okay, let's head over towards our usual Inn and see who we can find!”[/color] Xenos wrapped his arm back into Steven’s and headed off. [hider=Steven’s summary] -Dropped all bought items at home -Now carries his weapons and ammunitions -Renn: 1922 -> 1852 (Fancy Clothes) -Heading to the Inn [/hider] [hider=Xenos’ Summary] -Ate food -Pondered Life -Headed to Inn [b][u]Currently 4:30[/u][/b] [/hider]