[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/DddQMNM.png[/img] [h3][b]Level 1[/b] [b]Location:[/b] Lumbridge -> Deep Lake[/h3][/center] [hr] [color=6ecff6][i](Never figured that I’d be doing odd jobs again…)[/i][/color] Phoenix’s time in Lumbridge had been interesting, to say the least. He felt like he stuck out like a sore blue thumb in this place. His attempts to ingratiate himself failed; not only was it hard to adapt to a life without the modern comforts he grew up with, but Lumbridge didn’t need a lawyer like him. Crimes were basic and suspects were just thrown into jail for a while. He was a complete moot point. And that’s why Phoenix was standing at the entrance to the Guild Hall in the center of town, adjust his collar and cuffs over and over to try and stave off the heat. Since his attempts to strike up a law firm in Lumbridge never got off the ground, Phoenix was at the end of his rope. He needed money. The best way of getting that was through quests, though Phoenix tried to avoid questing. Way too dangerous for him! “Maybe there’s some simple quests up today,” Phoenix said to himself, staring up at the Guild’s castle walls. “A delivery of milk. Or sheep herding. I can herd some sheep, definitely.” Not far off, the indecisive first-timer picked up the attention of an onlooker. A small group of adventurers, their departure taking them past Phoenix as he entered, had left behind a young [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/fireemblem/images/7/77/Hilda_Heroes.png/revision/latest?cb=20190806052118]woman[/url] with long pink hair in giant twintails. Despite being alone by fellow quest-goers, the girl didn’t seem particularly bothered. Instead, she appeared to be deep in thought until her gaze settled on Phoenix, and an idea lit up her eyes. She stood up, headed over, and tapped on the older man’s shoulder. “...Excuse me?” Phoenix was broken out of his introspection, already lost in thought about the best herding practices. “O-Oh, hello. Is there something I can do for you?” The girl gave a radiant smile, closing her eyes for a moment as she did. “Hello there! I’m Hilda. Actually, since you offered, there kinda is something you can help me with. See, I was supposed to go out with a couple others on a job at the lake southeast of here, dealing with some fish. Thing is, I’m just no good at that sort of thing.” She threw up her hands, pouting helplessly. “Gross, scaly little things, wriggling around, ugh! I’d be totally useless. But, I’ve gotta go…” She made no request, instead letting the complaint hang in the air with a resigned expression. Hilda, huh? Phoenix listened to her complaint, awkwardly side-stepping out of the doorway while facing her. “You have to go catch some fish..? Is that really that big of an issue?” [color=6ecff6][i](Then again, she does seem pretty delicate,)[/i][/color] Phoenix thought. “I could do that for you, if you’d like, miss,” Phoenix said, straightening his back and fixing his tie. Instantly, Hilda seized his hand in her and squeezed it. “Oh, thank you, thank you! You’re a lifesaver.” Letting go just as quickly, she scooted to the side to clear the way to the door for her new best friend. As he passed, she gave a genial wave and handed him her contract card. “Good luck out there!” Something occurred to her, and for a moment her brow furrowed. “Uh...and be careful! Some of those suckers can be preeeeetty big. Thanks again…!” “Uh, thanks! You’re welcome?” Phoenix hurried out the door as Hilda motioned for him to leave, swept up in the girl’s enthusiasm. Before he knew what was happening, Phoenix stood right back outside, back against the Guild’s door. He stood there for a brief second, looking around and trying to piece his thoughts together. And then he realized something… “Hey, you didn’t tell me which lake!” Phoenix turned to the door, yelling through it. He doubted she could hear him, though. Not too far in front of him, a couple of boys were headed southeast as well, their movement bearing an obvious sense of direction in mind. Both wore light armor over their clothes, one [url=https://gbf.wiki/images/thumb/b/b9/Gran_%28Versus%29.png/176px-Gran_%28Versus%29.png]blue[/url] and one [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/chemoverse/images/5/57/Mobile_DragaliaLost_char_Euden_MainCharacter_02.png/revision/latest?cb=20180930063226]red[/url], and they shared an infectious sort of genuine spirit. Swords in tow, they journeyed onward as a good pace, discussing strategies for taking out fish in with enthusiasm and intensity. Phoenix didn’t pay them a lot of mind for a moment, but then he caught a bit of their conversation. “Fish?” Phoenix looked in their direction, then down to the card in his hand. “Oh! Hey, wait up! I think I’m supposed to be going with you!” Phoenix sprinted after the boys, waving his contract in the air. He probably should’ve asked himself why they had swords and armor if they were just catching some fish. [hr] The kids accepted the lawyer, a weird but nevertheless welcome fellow since his arrival in the town, with open arms and set off again in earnest. The trio’s trip encompassed primarily rolling plains, with long grass billowing in the wind and only a few scattered creatures here and there. Wildflowers bloomed in the green, and to the east they could see the fields of wild wheat no doubt to be the subject of their own quest before long. [url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/67/Chocobo.png]chocobos[/url] dug around for gysahl greens, pokemon like [url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/thumb/7/70/659Bunnelby.png/1200px-659Bunnelby.png]bunnelby[/url] scampered between burrows, and herds of [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/elderscrolls/images/a/a6/Lucky.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/350?cb=20141006063515]goats[/url] roamed rocky knolls. No threats presented themselves beneath the warm afternoon sun, and the invigorating stroll soon brought the three to their destination. After cresting a hill, a blue expanse stretched out before them. Since the weekly rollover, the region had been scouted a fair bit already, with reports describing the verdant growth around the lake and the few odd amenities both near and upon it. In particular, a colorfully-roofed [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/zelda/images/7/7d/Human-cannonball_Ride.png/revision/latest?cb=20110221234705]structure[/url] floated on the water, home to a couple clowns running an amusement service. It was around now that Phoenix finally realized that this wasn’t an ordinary fishing trip. He’d grown suspicious when they arrived at the lake and he noticed not one of them had any fishing rods or spears on them. “Are we getting supplies in that big house?” Phoenix asked, looking to the pair for approval. Gran and Euden shook their heads, looking grim. They hastened down the hill, approaching the water’s edge with Phoenix in tow. A number of floats and bridges provided a route to the funhouse, and the boys hurried across. Barely had they set foot on the first float than the water began to bubble, and from beneath the surface rose spear-wielding [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/darkestdungeon_gamepedia/0/0b/Pelagic_Grouper.png]wretches[/url] neither fully human nor piscine. “There! Let’s take ‘em down,” Euden called, drawing his sword. Nodding, Gran did the same. Bubbling abhorrently, the monsters moved in to attack. Luckily for Phoenix, his two armed comrades divided the fish’s attention, giving him enough time to backpedal away from the aquatic monsters. But more bubbles emerged along the floating bridge, surrounding him as he broke away from protection. [color=6ecff6][i](Way to go, Phoenix. Run away from the only people who can keep you alive.)[/i][/color] Letting out a fearful cry, Phoenix rushed further up the bridge, tripping and stumbling his way across the buoyant platforms and towards what he hoped was safety: the floating house.