One Cupcake

[stubbornskeptic]

[Jane tiptoes around the gate, eyeing it like it’s about to jump out and attack her. With all her ties to her various allies (and potential murderers) cut, she’s feeling a little off-kilter. Whether this is the thing that brought her here or the thing that will get her out, she doesn’t feel like jumping into it will have any bearing on her tight-assery. After all, it’d be just ludicrous to jump headfirst into it when she doesn't know what it does.

Unless her dad’s in there.

Oh shit, what if her dad’s in there?!

Jane grips her cheeks (the ones on her face, geez!), groaning a little. Whatever is she meant to do now?]

Comments

[hoperaider]

Maybe, but from what I've seen, it hasn't bothered him unless someone points it out to him. Doing so may equate to not getting healed, though, so I tend to avoid saying anything about it.

[stubbornskeptic]

Well, now you can just let me take care of it! All the mocking you want, for free, hoo hoo.

[hoperaider]

Genius! Now we'll have to make sure we stock up on SP recovery items, too, or you'll have your hands full with us.

[stubbornskeptic]

Oh? Is SP for magic?

[She gets a little excited at the idea of using magic, suddenly. Oh, maybe this will be just as fun as the alpha!]

[hoperaider]

Yes! Everyone has it, but you and the Shadow Warlocks have tons more to use. I think it stands for "Spirit Points" or some noise like that. At any rate, it regenerates rather slowly on its own, so if we want to be really frigging stingy, we could wait around in a safe room until we're all better with the SP.

[Oh yeah.]

Oh, and apparently we shout out our attacks, whether we mean to or not. Dirk and I found that out the hard way. It was...embarrassing. To say the least.

[stubbornskeptic]

Oh, goodness. You'd think Dirk would enjoy that, though! It's very anime, don't you think? Right out of Sailor Moon, in fact!

[hoperaider]

You would think! But no, he blushed brighter than a tomato. Really, I think it was karma since he did it after I shouted my own attack, and teased me about it. Wish I could've recorded it for you and Roxy!

idk i can't decide on an icon that's good enough /goes with that

[stubbornskeptic]

Aww, hehe. I never imagined Mr. Strider would be the blushing type, actually!

lmfao That works. XD

[hoperaider]

Good gravy, I know. A lot's going to change, I think, since we're not behind frigging computer screens, now. I have to say, I'm highly excited by this! I've always wanted to meet the three of you face to face, after all.

[stubbornskeptic]

Oh, same! I hope it doesn't get terribly awkward, though. I know I have a tendency to, um, put a foot in my mouth, after all.

[Too bad it's probably too late to explain how that's especially pertinent to Jake.]

[hoperaider]

Hogswallop, everyone does that from time to time! I daresay I've likely done it myself a few times.

[stubbornskeptic]

Maybe once or twice, hoo hoo. I guess I just don't want to ruin anyone's image of me by being totally uncultured and boorish in person!

[hoperaider]

Oh, please, you're a well-mannered and fun young lady online and offline. They'd have to be absolutely bonkers to think otherwise.

[stubbornskeptic]

[She blushes and looks down.]

Aww, shucks. I'm very glad you think so, Jake. Can't help being a little nervous, though!

[hoperaider]

I would assume so! Anyhoo, what do you want to do?

[stubbornskeptic]

Oh, dear, I don't even know where to start! What did you and Dirk do when you first got here?

[hoperaider]

We went traipsing about in a dungeon, and got lucky by finding a few healing items. At the time, we didn't know any Harvest Clerics to take along.

[stubbornskeptic]

In that case, I wouldn't mind doing a test run if you don't.

[hoperaider]

Oh, that'd be the cat's pajamas! I can even show you how to get to the menu and all on this Relic doohickey.

[Jake pulls out his Relic again, inviting Jane to his party and opening up the Key Word menu. He explains the parameters and shit to her, finally settling on a level 2 dungeon at the beach. The goal is to gather the three fragment pieces to open up the Beast Temple.]

I think that's everything, but I might have missed something. Do you have any questions about it?

[stubbornskeptic]

Mm, no, I think I've got a handle on it! Thank you for the tutorial, Jake! I'm ready if you are.

[hoperaider]

Roger that!

[And he presses accept. Next thing they know, they're at a little chain of islands connected by short, wooden bridges. Well, an island to Jake is something far more tropical, but this is practically like a desert to him. There are only a few trees dotted about, and some grass that gradually gives way to sandy shores.]

Goodness, I don't think I've ever seen an island so...barren before.

[stubbornskeptic]

Hmm, it doesn't seem to be as wild as you make your island out to be, yeah. The game must not take place in the tropics, then?

[She has no idea how any of this works, so she's just guessing.]

[hoperaider]

Hmmm...I'm sure I saw a jungle-type dungeon once before, but it was far too high in level. Still, there are other rather exotic settings to visit! There are caves, some sort of Japanese-style home mixed with steampunk, canyons...and sometimes the outdoorsy-type dungeons have different weather patterns depending on the words you use!

[He starts leading the way across the bridge to an adjacent island in the west.]

[stubbornskeptic]

Sheesh. I guess these places aren't meant to be in exactly the same place, then. I sort of wish we had a pair of trolls guiding us here too. At least someone would have an idea of what was going on for sure!

[She follows, keeping a little behind him just in case.]

[hoperaider]

That would be nice, but it takes all the fun out of the discovery!

[After getting to the other side, Jake glances around, and spots a treasure chest surrounded by three monsters up ahead. They look like...smiling onion-mushrooms? Whatever, shoot first, ask questions later!

STRIFE!]