[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/v45jtPZ.jpg?1[/img][img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTBnOg8AKTRWlqA4UfMHLWZF9I01JJmY2TlA3t8UU5dMq1vZsboyg[/img][/center] [Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/8v8xMAV.jpg?1[/img][/center] If Alisea was surprised by Uchaka’s question, she didn’t show it. Her mind clicked into magic-study mode without a pause. [color=ec008c]“Nether Push and Nether Pull are good spells for combining. Ever since learning them this feeling that they should be paired with another effect has been following me. Maybe combining Pull with a simple Bolt will give you something like an electric fishing line? Or Push with the Plasma Burst to repel enemies near you?”[/color] [b]”Sounds like a decent enough idea,”[/b] Uchaka stated, before her analytical side began to kick in, [b]”But I don’t think that will be very damaging, I could do Chain Lightning combined with Nether Push to deal far more damage while sending multiple enemies back.”[/b] Uchaka began to inspect the stats of the spells, still likely judging just how effective a combined spell like this would be in the long run. However, she also had to judge her play style and what she wanted to do with the future as far as building her stats. She let out a long hum as she began to run the numbers in her mind. [color=ec008c]“For more damage, I would suggest the fire discipline. And a powerful Intelligence attribute, of course. Do you have any equipment for boosting that yet?”[/color] Alisea asked quietly. [b]”Unfortunately, I don’t have access to the fire discipline currently,”[/b] Uchaka informed her friend before looking over at her intelligence stat. It was decent for a mage at her level, [b]”I’m sitting at about twenty-two intelligence, but I don’t have any items to increase it.”[/b] [color=ec008c]“Well, this is a festival; maybe we can find something!”[/color] It was then that River turned back to share his idea. Alisea stared blankly until she realized he was still looking for spell combinations. His idea for a single, powerful, opening burst was nice--it would have been a good contribution as soon as he thought of it--but he had spent too long trying to make it more complex. Whether he mistook how long the window for Overload was, or he just didn’t understand the lengthy cooldown a dual-discipline area spell would have, or maybe he even misunderstood how Energize worked--whether any or all of the above, River’s idea for chaining wouldn’t work. Alisea could see that, but after a moment of contemplation decided not to speak of it. River wasn’t a mage, so he would never be in a place where he might try it himself; thus, correcting him would create no profit, only negative emotion. Instead, Alisea smiled. Kindly. [color=ec008c]“That sounds like something to look into. Say, River? Are you spending the day with Xenos?”[/color] [Color=82ca9d]“I hadn't actually thought about that. Not too sure that he is actually going to be going, been a tad preoccupied lately. I may just look to see what special event items the game has to offer, maybe buy an outfit for Pots here to help boost her stats.”[/color] His voice trailed off for a moment as he thought to himself. [Color=82ca9d]"Maybe I can work on a dual spell with more time too. How many can you make again? How does one even determine the mana cost and such? Uh sorry, so what plans do you two have for this event?”[/color] Alisea glanced over to Uchaka, curious if she would answer him. [b]”You can make any amount of spells as you want, but you can only have one active at a time,”[/b] Uchaka yawned, before looking over to River, [/b]”I don’t have much to do. Tend to stay alone.”[/b] Alisea couldn’t help but smile at her understatement. [color=ec008c]“Then this is the perfect chance. We can all go look at the stalls together!”[/color] River was shocked at the sudden invitation. Realizing that although he looked forward to this event, he hadn't actually made any plans for it. [Color=82ca9d]”Sure! I wouldn't mind tagging along if that's alright with you two.”[/color] he said with a polite shrug and smiling nod. Uchaka simply shrugged away her indifference, she looked over to Alisea and gave a light smile at the prospect of doing some shopping during the festival. However, she did have her reservations about it, knowing that she would be treated differently than her friend. [color=ec008c]“Then off we go!”[/color] Alisea decided. She led the way through a few streets. They stopped to look at several stalls containing what she could only describe as novelty souvenirs--pricey and without function. They were useful for driving the conversation for a bit longer, though. Between shops she would ask Uchaka about her plans for her character build: spells, other disciplines she was most interested in, stat balance. Behind the skull mask, it turned out, was a blossoming Battlemage. Not surprisingly, a number of dark glares followed their party. The red tag was far too prominent, and with only ten days experience most people’s emotions about death were still raw. Alisea made it clear she didn’t care about those stares, or the people sending them, in the slightest. So long as nobody hassled her group, she had no reason to acknowledge those people existed. Not when Uchaka was far more interesting to her right now. After two streets and nearly an hour, Alisea adopted a contemplative look. [color=ec008c]“Uchaka, our guild is planning a dungeon raid after this festival. We leave tomorrow morning. Would you join us? We found in the last dungeon that some monsters are easier dealt with by magic, so another mage would be a tremendous help.”[/color] [b]”A dungeon raid, eh? Would the others be fine with a red tag joining along?”[/b] Uchaka asked, raising an eyebrow behind her mask as Alisea extended the rather surprising invitation. The to-be battle mage was definitely skeptical of the idea but she would consider it since she never actually gets to do this kind of stuff often with people. [color=ec008c] “It will be fine!”[/color] Alisea assured her. [color=ec008c]“You heard the big man this morning: all previous cases of manslaughter are pardoned.”[/color] She couldn’t entirely keep the ironic tone out of her voice, but she quickly added to make sure Uchaka knew here jab was intended at Aramo, [color=ec008c]“Any minute now the system will catch up with his majesty’s magnanimous decree.”[/color] Alisea softened her grin from jesting to friendly. [color=ec008c]“I plan to see Reylan later; I can confirm then. We do want your help, though. Mage-power is unparalleled, you know.”[/color] Uchaka thought the offer over once more in her head before giving a slight nod to Alisea, [b]”Very well, I’ll tag along. No doubt it’ll be to my benefit.”[/b] While her comment was selfish, it was still an acceptance from someone who had really only had negative experiences in the the game. She tucked her arms into her cloak and simply looked back ahead. As the throuple continued their way through the streets and stands, River listened in to their conversation while browsing the items on sale. He had been met with many questions by Alisea as well about how certain garments looked on her, him, or in general. [Color=82ca9d][i]”Is this what Reylan and them do each day? Hows does he manage the energy for it all...unless...is he also?”[/i][/color] River pushed the thought away as it would be indecent to ask, especially of his guild leader. [Color=82ca9d]"Say...I know I'm kinda a last minute addition but...would you guys mind if we made a stop to a certain shop? I'm looking for clothes for Pots.”[/color] [color=ec008c]“Oh? Not at all. Lead the way,”[/color] Alisea answered happily. [color=ec008c]“Pots would look cute with some ribbons. Or are you imagining a more fearsome, battle-ready appearance?”[/color] River looked down at his feet attempting to hide the embarrassment on his face. [Color=82ca9d]“I was hoping...that we could get matching outfits, Pots and I. Sorcerer's Shoes and the Mages Cloak to be more exact, as I don’t think she can wield a weapon.”[/color] A sudden idea showed on Alisea’s face--that enlightened look a person gives when they’ve put all the pieces of a puzzle together in their head. [color=ec008c]“Do you already know a place? Because I think I know one…”[/color] [Color=82ca9d]"I was hoping to find the vendor who sold me my outfit...trouble is I can’t remember who it was. So why don't we go ahead to yours, might even be the same shop.” [/color] River beamed with a bright smile. With a reciprocal smile and a nod, Alisea led the party away from the central streets--and away from most of the crowd. They soon stopped in front of Nina’s shop. Hanging on the door was a sign announcing it was “Closed for the festival,” but another sign hung beneath directing them toward the central plaza and promising they would find the shopkeep at a temporary booth somewhere along the way. The sign proved true; Nina had set up a small stand and packed it with as many clothes as possible. Racks circled its girth, hung with clothes pressed together like morning commuters on a Japanese subway. Crates were stacked beneath everything--the racks, her table, the eaves behind the stall, and even beneath Nina herself when they arrived. She jumped up when she recognized potential customers approaching. Alisea was mildly vexed to see she had once again donned her cloth cat ears. [hider=Nina, once again][center][img]http://pm1.narvii.com/6437/a6dd2183ad9f92764641ab4e838ffa1b649993f8_hq.jpg[/img][/center][/hider] [color=gold]“Welcome to meowr shop, dear customers! What myight I do to help meu today?”[/color] [color=ec008c]“Hi, Nina. I thought you were done with the catgirl act?”[/color] Alisea asked, trying not to be blatantly pointed about it. Confusion swept over the shopkeep’s features; then a flash of understanding lit up her face like a beacon. [color=gold]“Oh, the myiss from last Meusday! I thought about it a lot, meu see, and I realized what I myost want to do is myake all myy custumewrs happy! And they are! Myost of these crate are empty already!”[/color] she declared, beaming with pride. [color=ec008c]“Is that...so?”[/color] Alisea sighed helplessly. [color=ec008c]“If that makes your customew...mers happy, then good for you. Well!”[/color] she suddenly exclaimed, changing the topic as quickly as she could. [color=ec008c]“My friend here, River, hopes you can tailor some articles to fit his tamed beast.”[/color] Alisea turned back to the Trainer, gesturing for him to step forward and conduct his business. While he was doing that, she could look over some more of the outfits. [Color=82ca9d]" Do you happen to have a Cloak of the Magi or Sorcerer's shoes?”[/color]he looked around as he asked, attempting to see if he could spot the items in order to hasten the transaction. Rivers eyes kept darting back to the sales woman and her attire, he didn't recall there being a cat race in the character creation screen, perhaps it was an NPC exclusive race. [Color=gold]”Meow let me see. Ah! Myy apawlogies myister but I don't have that cloak. Meowever I do have a pair of the shoes in stock,"[/color] She pulled out a pair of sorcerer's shoes from a box and placed them onto the stands counter to show them to River. [Color=82ca9d]"Perfect! I'll take the pair thank you!”[/color] he said as he handed over the Renn and added the shoes into his inventory. River spared no time after the purchase, he opened up his menu and found the trainers pet section where they could add equipment. He quickly equipped the item to Pots and watched as he stats went up. [Color=82ca9d]"Not only do you look even more adorable with those little shoes, but we now have an extra use of your attacks for battle.”[/color] An entire half-rack was taken up by bright, white cloaks trimmed with golden thread. It was immediately eye-catching, and Alisea had to pull one off to see what it was. She found in her hands a bright cloak, its colors as pure as those of the rest of this festival commemorating the sun, the source of light itself. She quickly waved Uchaka over to her. [color=ec008c]“What do you think of this?”[/color] she asked eagerly. [b]”It’s fashionable I guess, but does give any good bonuses to any stats? I wouldn’t purchase it if the stats aren’t good enough,”[/b] Uchaka said, analyzing the cloak with a keen eye, wanting to minmax any items that she came into contact with. [color=ec008c]“Ranged damage reduction. Reylan forbade me from the frontline, so it will do me well.”[/color] [b]”That’s it? The least it could do is boost up magical damage if it’s going to look all flashy.”[/b] Uchaka sighed her disappointment. [color=ec008c]“If only a cloak would,”[/color] Alisea replied with a laugh. She took the cloak to Nina to purchase. The young shopkeep smiled happily, handing over the cloak as well as a medallion with the sun emblazoned on it. [color=gold]“For myour wonderful support!”[/color] Nina explained. The magess thanked her, then turned to her companions. [color=ec008c]“Thank you both. The day has already been so much fun! I did promise Aster and Reylan, though, so I shall excuse myself here.”[/color] [hr] [hider=In summary]Noon to midafternoon (around 4:00) Uchaka, River, and Alisea spent time wandering the festival streets and talking. River purchased Sorcerer’s Shoes for Pots. Alisea purchased a Solace Cloak (and received a Solace Medallion) Uchaka didn’t purchase, but she did receive an official invite to the next day’s Dungeon Raid.[/hider]