The Golem, Meteo City

"Morning, boss," Windy greets me from her chair as I exit the back room, feet up on the table.

"Don't let Lifk see you doing that," I warn, "And, yes, good morning to you too."

Pulling up a chair at her table, she puts her feet down and leans forward, "So, what're we doing today?"

I sigh, "Before that, we need to have a talk about Jade."

Windy freezes, "What'd she do this time?"

"Nothing, as such," I rub some nuggets of rheum out of my eye, "I don't know what is going on in that head of hers, but whatever the problem is, her attitude towards me needs to come to some sort of resolution. Forcing her to hold it in is only going to make it fester."

Guilty, Windy leans back in her chair and stares at the ceiling, "I know that. But she won't talk to me about it, so if anyone's at fault here I'd guess it's probably me."

"What makes you say that?" I don't know enough about either of them or their relationship to make a guess myself.

Rapping her fingers on the table, she lolls her head back to regard me, "You're a pretty secretive dude with a lot going on up top, which is fine and all. But as far as Jade's been acting, you're like a skeezy boyfriend that's leading her daughter astray with drugs and shitty hypertechno music."

"That's...an odd metaphor," I mutter, "So you think she's just being...overprotective of you?"

"Mostly. No offence, but you've not really done much to endear yourself to her, Alex," Winry gestures at me, "I don't think she despises you completely, but..."

She trails off, not sure of how to continue the thought for a moment, "...It's almost all business, all the time with you and you're pretty cagey about even that. That's not exactly about to engender trust in most people, yeah?"

Resting my chin in my arms, I think it through seriously, "And you?"

"Guess I'm just a bit more optimistic about people than she is. Won't say I trust you completely - see: being cagey as fuck - but so far you've not given me much reason to doubt you," Windy admits, a little hesitant, "You're good in a fight and your knowledge is real but you could probably stand to open up a bit more. Feels like you're looking down from on-high sometimes."

I close my eyes for a few moments, then nod and look at Windy, "Alright. I appreciate your honesty."

She relaxes a little, "No problem, boss."

Put like that, I'm reminded of when I snapped at Jade in reality about the stress of my self-imposed mission, and I wonder how much I can really use that as an excuse. Even before The Astral Eclipse I had few friends, even within my Guild. While I wouldn't take those relationships in vain, it does put to light how little socialising I did over the thirty years outside of dungeons and the like.

The more recent confrontation with Henna over my excessive meddling also comes to mind. My sense of self-awareness when it comes to my failings as a person is really taking a beating of late.

"While I do need to take some time to consider that, I don't think that precludes you from making peace with her either," I point out.

Scratching her cheek, embarrassed, Windy nods, "Yeah, I know. It'd go over smoother if you put her mind at ease first, though."

"As you say. Putting that aside, I have a meeting with someone in about an hour, and a quick bit of crafting to finish the Promotion requirements to get to 1-Star Basic Blacksmith.  I don't have anything urgent or specific for you to do, so either take a look around the city for something to do, get some time in crafting and gathering or maybe hang around at the gate and see if you can find a potential party member. I leave it up to you," I offer.

"The meeting a private affair?" She enquires.

I waver, "Not that I'm aware of. She didn't specify."

"I'll follow along then. If I have to go, I'll go then. Otherwise, I'll leave afterwards," She reasons.

I agree after a moment, "If that's what you want to do, I don't have any objections. Put your helmet on, though. If her boss shows up as well, I want us looking our best."

Obliging, Windy equips her helmet, her voice coming through with a slight reverb, "Who're we meeting?"

"The assassin I told you about wanting to recruit. I asked her to track down a cocky little shit who attacked me, and Jade at Liggit Mine after I specifically told him not to meddle in my affairs. The team she works for, Rambling Rose, will also hopefully be helping us with the next part of The Magpie Demon Quest."

"Oh? Call me interested in meeting her," Windy rubs her hands together eagerly, "What's she like?"

"Mercenary and a little volatile," I summarise, "But her skills in tracking and assassination are the real deal. Wouldn't be surprised if it was her actual job outside the game."

Windy whistles, "A real assassin? That's a hell of a thing you've set your sights on, boss. You sure that's smart?"

I nod, "I'm well aware of the necessity of someone with her skills for the Guild in order for it to rise to power and maintain it. Whether in game, or in the case of some of the truly depraved and stubborn opponents, even out should they push us that far."

She baulks a bit at that, "Err...I know I said to open up a bit more, but maybe keep your willingness to commission actual murder to yourself in future."

I rub my eyes, "Believe me, I'd rather avoid it too, but not every opponent that arrays themself against us can be expected to play nice and stick to resolving their conflicts inside of the game. Even if we get to the top of the game's power structure, becoming completely unassailable by any number of players; even a team of random Newborn could topple us if they managed to break into our homes and kill us while we're still in-game. Don't underestimate the ruthless stupidity of the envious."

Windy goes quiet for a while, "That's...I mean, assuming we get into conflicts that escalate that far, I can...see your point. I don't like it, but I get it."

"Is that going to be a problem?" I ask sincerely. I'm not about to ask her to get her hands dirty either way, but It'll still feel like guilt by association.

"I'll have to think about it some more," she responds seriously, "Just promise me that you won't resort to that kind of thing for every problem. Only as an utter last resort when it's us or them."

I hold my hand out, "I can agree to that. So long as you promise to remain honest with my failings."

She takes it roughly, and shakes, "Can do, boss."

---

 

Stone Arsenal, Meteo City

Since we still have about some time to kill, I introduce Windy to the City Bank when I stop by to restock my on-hand cash and head over to Stone Arsenal to hash out my Promotion.

When we arrive, Henna is sat in the forge, studying a chunk of Terrorstone and an ingot of Terrorsteel. A few players are loitering nearby, though their motive in doing so is rather unclear. Seeing us show up, however, attracts their full attention, and one or two scurry off immediately.

I tap Windy's arm, "Windy, d'you think you could go ask the idlers about what they're doing while I talk to Henna?"

"Sure thing," Seeing her approach, a few more spectators back away and run off entirely. Suspicious.

Not wanting to interrupt her train of thought, I don't call out to her, but the sound of my approach still rouses her attention. Looking back over her shoulder, she swivels around on her stool, "Silver. This material you brought is very unusual stuff."

I smile and wave in greeting, "Hello, Henna, and yes, It's from an unusual place."

Paranoid, I quickly glance off to the side at the inspiration counter, but thankfully it hasn't budged.

"Need the forge again? You don't have to keep asking me. So long as the forge is lit, you can use it," Henna offers.

"I need three new Schematics first, if you don't mind. And some materials," I explain.

She nods, "Which ones are you interested in?"

"Iron Ingot Refinement, Beginner's Bronze Dagger and Iron Rivets," I list off. I'll be needing to work with iron primarily through Basic, but at 5-Star Novice, I can attempt certain 1-Star Basic designs at a penalty to success rates.

Giving me an appraising look up and down she makes a guess, "Looking to Promote to Basic?"

"Yes," I admit, "Creating our new equipment pushed me to the precipice."

Henna has a bit of a complicated look on her face, "Your progress in such a short amount of time is truly Star Blessed."

"No reason you can't outpace me if you put your heart and mind to the task," I console her, "No matter how much you stare at the Terrorstone, it's not going to turn into anything different unless you pick up your tools and get down to work. Caution is commendable, but hesitation will hobble you until you find the courage to take action."

Reaching back and grabbing hold of the heavy ingot, she regards the magical alloy critically, then stands, "I suppose you're right."

There goes another tick.

"Hey boss," Windy jogs over, "Some of them are just wondering about the gear you made, but one mentioned that a guy who ran away was a low-level member of an Infamous group affiliated with the assholes who jumped us at the gate."

"Thanks. Nothing too out of the ordinary, then," I nod to her, then turn back to Henna, "Have you decided what you're gonna make with that?"

"A sword," She responds simply, "I don't have enough material for anything ambitious."

I smile apologetically, "I'll be getting more soon, hopefully. I'll be sure to pass some along."

Nodding, the smith ends the conversation with the exchange of my requested items and starts working. Compared to the past, there's definitely more of 'her' in the project than before, and it's not hard to tell that she's enjoying it.

Although I'd like to watch her go through the whole process, I should get to work myself. I have somewhere to be soon.

Tearing through the new Schematics and a bunch of materials, my efforts are rewarded with a refresh of my reputation.

 

 

 

"Congratulations, Silver," Windy is about to applaud, only to stop when I raise a finger to my lips and nudge my head in Henna's direction, the blacksmith still focused intently on her work.

Windy gives a quick thumbs-up, and follows after me as I leave for my scheduled meeting with an assassin.

---

 

The Mole and Field Tavern, Meteo City

The Mole and Field. Been a long time since I last stepped foot in this old place.

Situated on the main throughway from the city gate's courtyard to the market district, MFT is a slightly upscale establishment that serves as one of the main meeting hubs for players in Meteo City, even in the game's infancy. I have a lot of memories of time spent loitering in here as a returning player trying to get the lay of the land.

Met a few acquaintances here, though our interaction didn't last very long. Idly, I give a thought to trying to reconnect with them if I ever get the chance, but reject it. I'm not the same person as back then, and retreading old ground for nostalgia's sake won't be doing me any favours.

The tavern is buzzing with Newborn, but I don't see Olrica or any of the faces from Rambling Rose I recognise.

"Busy place," Windy observes, "Cosy."

"One of the better drinking establishments in the city," I agree, "Come on, let's try the second floor."

"This place has two floors? Fancy."

Our presence is quickly noted by the gathered players as we walk to the stairs, conversations getting hushed and dozens of stares being levelled at us. Specifically, at our equipment.

"What are they wearing? I still only have these Copper-Tier gloves."

"Isn't that Bronzeguy? Why isn't he wearing Bronze anymore?"

"I know who the guy is, but who's the chick in the black armour?"

"Do you think if I hold out birdseed she'll come over here and talk to us?" "Shut up man."

The upstairs dining area is a fair bit quieter, but not much different. Olrica, however, is sitting off in the distant corner, joined by a face that I find to be extremely familiar: Hadrian King, better known as Mad King Hadrian in my day. He is not a pleasant man by any means, but he is also the Guild Leader of Rambling Rose and a wealthy young heir to a mildly successful corporation, so I will be taking a page from Jade's book and holding back my actual thoughts and opinions on him.

"That's them in the corner over there. Feel free to answer any questions as long as they're nothing too sensitive like the location and contents of Miner's Nightmare," I instruct her, "Just exercise prudence, in other words."

"Mhm. I'd like to chat with the assassin woman before we part ways though, if that's alright," Windy requests, probably still having my earlier digression on her mind. Not that I can really blame her.

"It's not as though I'm holding a leash," I admonish, "Knock yourself out."

"Should I take that as an order, boss?" She snarks.

"If you're going to sass me, then yes," I retort.

"Sass-free zone, got it," Windy thumps her breastplate, the grin she's sporting not visible but audible.

I resist the urge to cover my face with my palm, and lead the way over to Rambling Rose's table. Hadrian and Olrica perk up as we approach, a small amount of awe and envy contained in their gazes.

Hadrian is first to speak as he stands, offering a handshake and a businessman's smile, "The famous Silver Nosster, we meet at last."

I take it firmly, and tell the first of no doubt many more lies to come, "Mr King. A pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine," He keeps smiling, "Please, take a seat."

Obliging, he turns to Windy, "And may I know your name, Miss..?"

"Windy Fields." She introduces herself simply, "Nice to meet you."

"Olrica. I love your armour set," Olrica smiles, a little fake compared to the naked greed in her eyes.

Introductions out of the way, I clear my throat, "I was only expecting Miss Nennot, may I know what the Guild Leader of Rambling Rose is here for?"

"Negotiations," the man smiles, all shiny white teeth.