Open ✪ Stokbon Save Yourself

[Creature]

Creature was left with much to think about after his encounter with Trissayne. There were still so many mysteries surrounding the game… If he could even still call this a game. The woman had claimed this was the same one from years ago; the one that led to the deaths of all those people in the real world. But how could that be? It was shut down by the government. Why would it return now? He didn't know. All he could do was put on a brave face in front of his new friend and tell her that everything was going to be okay. Though it would have been a lie to say the prospect of dying here didn't scare him.

"Uuugh…" He groaned while sitting at the bar of the local tavern. What was he going to do? How many players actually knew this wasn't some wacky marketing scheme? That the dangers they faced were real.

"This world is pretty crazy, isn't it?" Creature asked the person seated next to him.

 

[Jin]

The truth behind Terrasphere was such an abstract, fascinating concept.

Those who followed the rumors swore in conflict with one another, with one side absolutely certain that the tales of dead Players were gravely exaggerated by government officials. The other side, a vocal majority, understood the dangers to be prolific. The majority of Players fell somewhere in the middle ground, with outliers both fully aware of the possibility of death and subsequently undaunted. One of these outliers happened to find himself lazily draped over a barstool in one of the many taverns of Stokbon as someone commented on the nature of the world.

Jin glanced sidelong at the man as his pupils came into focus, the haze inflicted by overindulgence lifting at a staggeringly slow rate. "At the best times," he answered. "But not every day can be filled with wonder and awe, I suppose."

He took a minute as the frame of a man came into view to collect himself and stifled a burp. Despite the virtual nature of the game, alcoholism was simulated perfectly and ordinate to the level of consumption. Not only could he definitely get drunk, the game client also actively worked to sabotage his inhibitions. What a delightful revelation.

It manifested more as a splitting headache when his natural mind came at odds with the false inebriation. Someone more accustomed to liquor or booze might have less time taking to the sensory overload, but in the real world, Jin's personage was not a drinker. As he rubbed thoughtfully at his temple, the Bloodsworn managed a pathetic smile.

"Would you like a drink, stranger? If you've made it to Stokbon, no doubt you must have a great deal on your mind."

 

[Creature]

“I suppose I do.”

Creature hadn’t known his feelings were so plainly written across his face. Perhaps a drink would serve well in easing his troubles. Before he could open his mouth the barkeep was sliding him a mug of ale, and when he reached for his gold the man simply shook his head.

“This one is on the house.”

Taking the mug in both hands, he peered inside. He’d never been much of a drinker, but now didn’t seem like a bad time to start. Taking a swig the man would quickly place the mug back down. Wasn’t the best drink he’d ever had, but it would probably get the job done if he kept at it.

“It’s just… This world is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. But recently my friend told me something about meeting a duchess who told her that there’s an actual chance we could die if we continue to play. Kinda puts a damper on things, don’t you think?”

@Kijin

 

[Jin]

"A duchess, you say?" he repeated the new information, savoring it. A member of the nobility with that kind of information begged the question, were Landers aware of the threat, or perhaps, did Players have the ability to attain rank and renown? "How interesting..."

Jin made no attempt to hide the fact that he was unsurprised by what was perhaps the more dramatic revelation of the two. Instead, he gave himself the extra time it took to process through the new information while nursing the headache, two fingers massaging his temple. No, the reality was that for most of the Travelers, it was either common knowledge or it spread rapidly enough that those who were spooked quickly logged out and never looked back.

Terrasphere was... almost an addiction, he supposed. The people who were unafraid of the consequences, and the people who defied their fear- those were all that remained. "I suppose that is one way to perceive it," he admitted, finally.

Jin propped his chin up on a hand and considered the other man properly. "Someone with a great deal to live for, a good life, a family- those aren't the kind of people who take on risks." The hand on his temple pulled forward a fraction to give a dismissive gesture. "They're not the sort to do things that involve any kind of danger. Those types don't linger long enough to sit and ponder something like that."

A slow blink followed, and his blood-colored eyes set lazily, unassumingly on the other man as he indulged in his drink. "Yet here we are, two people who heard that they could die, and instead of hurrying along out of this world, we're at a bar, drinking, dare I say- accepting that fact."

His lips tugged up into a cockeyed smirk.

"Are things truly dampened, or are you trying to convince yourself that you aren't excited?"

@Creature

 

[Creature]

This man spoke the truth. Creature was excited. He'd missed the first wave four years ago, but now he was here, and saw first hand how unique the world of Terrasphere was. Besides, he had made a promise to Trissayne to keep her safe. So long as she continued to play, he would make sure she stayed alive. That in itself was reason enough to keep moving down this path he'd chosen.

"You know, you're right." He says before taking another swig of his drink. With a pleasant sigh he placed the mug down and stood up. The spark he'd felt from the first day was restored. Alcohol was always good for a quick morale boost.

"I go by the name Creature, and I plan on becoming one of the top players… So it'd be nice to have someone so reassuring on my friend list. What do they call you?"

@Jin

 

[Jin]

He took in the words as the man spoke them. "Top Player" was one of the last things a generic Terrasphere player would strive after. It meant looking danger in the face and not fearing for one's own life. Taking chances, and at times, fighting a battle with no way to win. Much like the fight with the Kurungar Matron- there was a strong chance Jin might not have made it out of that situation alive.

But he had, and not even for a moment had he worried about the alternative outcome.

To a man like Jin, that made this "Creature" very interesting. "Call me Jin."

He made a subtle gesture and in moments, another drink slid along the countertop toward the Bloodsworn. Jin took a sip, indicating that his tolerance may have been higher than his demeanor initially indicated. Enough, at least, that he was ready to go back to drinking. "Top players, eh?" he mused. "I'm not sure I want that kind of recognition, but I respect it. I'd be inclined to accept that request," he said as he drummed his fingers on the counter, his palm UI hidden but active. He didn't usually accept friend requests, but this person might lead him toward new discoveries and thrills.

"You get a chance to see the insanity back in the Tangleweaves?" he asked, wondering if he hadn't seen the man back in Islus.

@Creature