Scraped from here.
Void Ascension (ZnT/Guild Wars)
My first try into the realm of ZnT...
Void Ascension (ZnT/Guild Wars)
My first try into the realm of ZnT...
Void Ascension (ZnT/GW)
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Scraped from here.
Void Ascension (ZnT/Guild Wars)
My first try into the realm of ZnT crossovers.
Inspired by some of the other fiction I have read in the various stories about summoning Familiars of Louise Valliere.
------
"Well, that was sort of anti-climactic," I muttered to myself as I defeated the end game boss from the MMO that happened to capture my attention due to its free-to-play model.
There was also the consideration that a number of my friends from high school and college played this online game because, other than the initial purchase, we did not have to pay the monthly fees that were often the bane of the three ramen noodles a day budgets.
Besides, more money that I could keep in my pocket for future video game and PC game purchases was always a plus in my book.
While I was watching the end-game cinematic, I received a rather odd message that popped up into the upper, right hand corner of my computer screen.
After a few seconds of waiting, the sounds of my computer's fans started to increase in speed faster than I had ever heard them go and I was worried that my computer would overheat and damage itself, my table, and maybe even me.
So, I attempted to press the ever faithful Ctrl-Alt-Del, but the only message I received was 'VoidHaxx Pwns You!' and I thought that I had somehow gotten a virus or a trojan onto my three year old laptop.
The next thing I did was disconnect my internet connection which did absolutely nothing to stop whatever was going on with my computer.
I was about the press the power button in order to stop the laptop from overheating when the fans stopped altogether and the image finally changed from the mysterious green screen into one that displayed a smoky setting from which I could hear some coughing in the background.
'Man, if these kinds of graphics for smoke were available for the current generation of MMO's, I bet that it would become the game of the year for critics, game makers, and the players', I thought to myself as I was rather impressed with the sheer realism when compared to all the other current game graphics available on the market.
Soon enough, the smoke cleared showing a grassy setting inside a courtyard with graphics just as good as the smoke itself.
I pinched myself as I simply could not believe just how realistic the setting appeared when compared to the previous game I had been playing.
When I realized that I was not hallucinating, I decided to play along and observe what was happening as I turned my character around to see what was going on.
The next thing I noticed was the number of people that were standing before my character wearing what appeared to be some kind of uniforms from one of those fancy schools or maybe from one of those medieval fairs I had always heard about, but never attended in person.
While I was watching the scene unfold before me, I focused on the pink-haired person with her back turned to me as she addressed the crowd rather angrily. While she was busy ranting, I pretty much tuned out what they were saying as I focused on what abilities and skills I had, when the girl in question walked up to me.
"Pentagram of the five blah blah blah...."
Long-winded speeches aside, she kissed my screen and I saw some smoke rise from my character's hand.
In response, I merely continued to look at this pink-haired lolicon with a blank face as I had never encountered a scenario like this in any MMO before.
"Louise the Zero strikes again!"
At that jeer, the crowd behind the girl burst into laughter and the girl in question turned around and began to argue with them while I began to notice something odd with my character's inventory when a message appeared on screen.
You see, I had stored up some rather rare weapons that my character could not equip because of the lack of the prequisite skills, but now I had seemingly gained the ability to wield all weapons.
"This is crazy," I spoke to myself as I saw that I could now wield more than just daggers and other close combat weapons.
"I will have you know, familiar, that I am not crazy," shouted the pink-haired girl as she turned to face me while the crowd just flew away.
"I did not mean you, young lady, rather I was just noting something personal," I responded with an eyebrow raised as she responded to my remark without having any microphone near my person, while I kept the flying crowd in my side-vision.
"Well, you'll just have to wait for any further responses as I have to go now," I cut her off before she could respond and exited the program.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are welcome.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
Space Reserved for Update Pages
Table of Contents:
Prologue (same page)
Chapter 1: Enter the Assassin One, Two
Chapter 2: And So It Begins One, Two
Chapter 3: Sowing the Seeds One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen
Interlude: Player Snippet
Chapter 4: Veritas vos Liberabit One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight
Sidestories:
Chapter Three: Louise Snippet I, II, III
Chapter Three: Unknown Boy Snippet
Chapter Three: Corrupt Official Snippet
Chapter Three: Wardes Snippet
Chapter Four: Chief Constable of Tristain Snippet
Chapter Four: Agnes Snippet
Omake:
1. Goal!
2. Inquisitor
3. WOW Influence
Void Ascension (ZnT/Guild Wars)
My first try into the realm of ZnT crossovers.
Inspired by some of the other fiction I have read in the various stories about summoning Familiars of Louise Valliere.
------
"Well, that was sort of anti-climactic," I muttered to myself as I defeated the end game boss from the MMO that happened to capture my attention due to its free-to-play model.
There was also the consideration that a number of my friends from high school and college played this online game because, other than the initial purchase, we did not have to pay the monthly fees that were often the bane of the three ramen noodles a day budgets.
Besides, more money that I could keep in my pocket for future video game and PC game purchases was always a plus in my book.
While I was watching the end-game cinematic, I received a rather odd message that popped up into the upper, right hand corner of my computer screen.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? It says VoidHaxx Route Unlocked. I guess it couldn't hurt to see what this does after I see the....okay, I guess whatever this achievement thing is, couldn't wait," I spoke softly to myself as the cinematic ended abruptly and was replaced by a Green Screen filled with foreign runes that look vaguely like something out of a pseudo-Viking language.
After a few seconds of waiting, the sounds of my computer's fans started to increase in speed faster than I had ever heard them go and I was worried that my computer would overheat and damage itself, my table, and maybe even me.
So, I attempted to press the ever faithful Ctrl-Alt-Del, but the only message I received was 'VoidHaxx Pwns You!' and I thought that I had somehow gotten a virus or a trojan onto my three year old laptop.
The next thing I did was disconnect my internet connection which did absolutely nothing to stop whatever was going on with my computer.
I was about the press the power button in order to stop the laptop from overheating when the fans stopped altogether and the image finally changed from the mysterious green screen into one that displayed a smoky setting from which I could hear some coughing in the background.
'Man, if these kinds of graphics for smoke were available for the current generation of MMO's, I bet that it would become the game of the year for critics, game makers, and the players', I thought to myself as I was rather impressed with the sheer realism when compared to all the other current game graphics available on the market.
Soon enough, the smoke cleared showing a grassy setting inside a courtyard with graphics just as good as the smoke itself.
I pinched myself as I simply could not believe just how realistic the setting appeared when compared to the previous game I had been playing.
When I realized that I was not hallucinating, I decided to play along and observe what was happening as I turned my character around to see what was going on.
The next thing I noticed was the number of people that were standing before my character wearing what appeared to be some kind of uniforms from one of those fancy schools or maybe from one of those medieval fairs I had always heard about, but never attended in person.
While I was watching the scene unfold before me, I focused on the pink-haired person with her back turned to me as she addressed the crowd rather angrily. While she was busy ranting, I pretty much tuned out what they were saying as I focused on what abilities and skills I had, when the girl in question walked up to me.
"Pentagram of the five blah blah blah...."
Long-winded speeches aside, she kissed my screen and I saw some smoke rise from my character's hand.
In response, I merely continued to look at this pink-haired lolicon with a blank face as I had never encountered a scenario like this in any MMO before.
"Louise the Zero strikes again!"
At that jeer, the crowd behind the girl burst into laughter and the girl in question turned around and began to argue with them while I began to notice something odd with my character's inventory when a message appeared on screen.
At the bonus skills message, I immediately opened up my character stats to see if there were any changes. The biggest one being that I could now wield all of the weapons in my inventory.
You see, I had stored up some rather rare weapons that my character could not equip because of the lack of the prequisite skills, but now I had seemingly gained the ability to wield all weapons.
"This is crazy," I spoke to myself as I saw that I could now wield more than just daggers and other close combat weapons.
"I will have you know, familiar, that I am not crazy," shouted the pink-haired girl as she turned to face me while the crowd just flew away.
"I did not mean you, young lady, rather I was just noting something personal," I responded with an eyebrow raised as she responded to my remark without having any microphone near my person, while I kept the flying crowd in my side-vision.
"Well, you'll just have to wait for any further responses as I have to go now," I cut her off before she could respond and exited the program.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are welcome.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
Space Reserved for Update Pages
Table of Contents:
Prologue (same page)
Chapter 1: Enter the Assassin One, Two
Chapter 2: And So It Begins One, Two
Chapter 3: Sowing the Seeds One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen
Interlude: Player Snippet
Chapter 4: Veritas vos Liberabit One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight
Sidestories:
Chapter Three: Louise Snippet I, II, III
Chapter Three: Unknown Boy Snippet
Chapter Three: Corrupt Official Snippet
Chapter Three: Wardes Snippet
Chapter Four: Chief Constable of Tristain Snippet
Chapter Four: Agnes Snippet
Omake:
1. Goal!
2. Inquisitor
3. WOW Influence
Chapter One: Enter the Assassin
-------
I had finally returned home after trying my best to beat the rain.
Normally, I would not be in any rush because I had my trusty umbrella to keep the water from getting me too wet.
Unfortunately, there was not only heavy rain, there was a lot of strong winds that pretty much turned my umbrella inside out. It was a good umbrella too as it had served me pretty well for over fifteen years.
So, while I was dripping like I had just taken a dive into a pool in my clothes, I proceeded to freshen myself up and clean the floor of the excess water that had literally pooled at my feet. Not dripped, pooled.
After doing all the usual chores and cleaning up the water on the floor, I went to my laptop and turned on the power to see what I could do with the mysterious new program that had hijacked my game mid-cinematic.
"Let's see, I can still access all of the characters I made for Prophecies, Factions, Nightfall, and Eye of the North, so it should not have affected my ability to access the main game."
It was during my observation of my various characters that I noticed a new icon to the right labeled Guild Wars: Void Ascension.
"Huh, well that is interesting to note. I suppose I would rather finish the new adventure and see it through to the end. Well, here goes nothing," I said as I clicked the new icon, not realizing that my character would be dragged into a new world filled a journey that would affect me more emotionally than any of the previous games I had ever played.
I watched, entranced by the realistic graphics once more, as a new cinematic played out and showed how my character, Setsuna the Assassin had been branded as a familiar by the mage student Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere.
"Pentagon of the Five Powers, bless this humble being as I make it my familiar."
While the girl now known as Louise said these words, she had been waving her wand in a somewhat circular pattern and approached my character with the kiss that I had seen on my screen the last time I had played this game.
Only this time, I was watching from an outsider perspective.
After the ritual had ended with the smoke arising from the hand and the runes making themselves known, I noticed that a bald-headed man in robes approached my character and grabbed her hand without even saying please.
"Fascinating, I have never seen such runes before...." spoke the man in robes as he apparently copied down the runes, while he continued to mumble about something or someone called Brimir.
After the bald man had copied down the runes, the cinematic changed to a new scene that showed a flying island. Once again, I marveled at how detailed the scenery was and how could it be possible that my old laptop with its dated graphics card could even show a hundredth of the detail I was looking at now.
Before I could ponder anymore, the scene began to approach the flying island and I watched, drinking in every detail I possibly could. A new voice, similar to Patrick Stewart, began to narrate not so much what I saw, but what would possibly come to pass.
"The fate of the island has already tipped heavily in favor of the anti-Royal movement, the ones known as the Reconquista. Even now, the pro-Royal mages are fighting a desperate battle against an enemy that have appeared almost out of nowhere."
After taking a pause, the narrator continued when the scene of the flying island zoomed in to show many skirmishes and battles that were occurring all over the country. Some battles were ended quickly and efficiently. Others, however, showed the cruelty of the human race in warfare, especially to the women.
"However, there is hope for this nation as a higher power has seen fit to intervene in the cruel game that the fifth element has played on these people for so long."
"Only time will tell if the new champion will arise to the challenge or fail just as the previous familiars had fallen in their bid to stop the endless cycle."
At that, the cinematic ended and I saw that my character was once more inside the courtyard with only Louise and my character present.
I was not certain if last time had been a fluke, so, I decided to test out my little theory on whether or not the in-game NPC's could hear me, while I pretended to RP my character.
"Well young lady, is there any title that this one could properly address your person," I asked with what I hoped was a subservient tone, while I entered some text to have my character kneel.
At my words, Louise reacted by lifting an eyebrow and prepared a response, while she stood with her back straight and what appeared to be a glint of respect in her eyes.
"Familiar, rise, as you already no doubt heard I am Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere, but you will address me as Master," she spoke with an authoritative tone that I found rather cute and, after some hesitation, she continued in a smaller, more uncertain voice,"Is there a name that I can call you by?"
In response to her request, I had my character stand up.
"Thank you Master, for humbling this one with Master's name and thank you again Master for asking for this one's name. This one is named Setsuna."
After waiting for more information besides a name, Louise appeared to have lost patience and was about to ask a question when I decided to head off any inquiries as to what my character's profession was.
Before she could ask, I intervened with, "Pardon this one's intrusion Master, but would it not be prudent to seek shelter before the sun sets?"
At my question, Louise opened her mouth and the closed it. She huffed in indignation, but did not do anything else except stutter out, "V-Very well familiar, you make a good point, but do not expect me to be so lenient in the future should you interrupt me next time."
And so, we headed to the dormitory where we entered her room and she gave me her first command as she took off her clothing and threw them at me.
"Familiar, I want these clothes cleaned and ready for tomorrow."
I merely raised an eyebrow as she apparently thought nothing about nudity in front of my character.
"Very well, Master. If Master has no other orders, may this one explore the castle and the surroundings to become better acquainted with the area?"
At my request, she nodded in what she probably thought was a perilous manner, but only reminded me of a bobble head.
"You may go exploring, but only if you remember to take care of my clothing and wake me up at sunrise."
"Very well, Master. By your leave?"
At her nod, I left the room with the clothing in my hands.
At that point, I decided to save my game and exit as I needed to start making dinner.
-------
To get myself in the mood for playing what appeared to be possibly a Renassaince era game as a servant of a noble, I decided to have a rather simple meal of unsalted potatos, carrots, onions, garlic and chicken in some stew with a glass of water containing a hint of honey.
In reality, I was not really certain if my simple fair would actually pass for what was eaten by the servants of the game, Void Ascension. Then again, I rarely ever saw any NPC's eat in the Guild Wars games and their respective expansions, so I just improvised.
Meal finished, I decided to have one more go at playing my newly acquired expansion before going to bed.
I opened up my laptop once more and waited as the start up sequence began with the typical Windows loading screen and the two minutes it took for my computer to settle down before I could load up the game disc. During the load up, I began to ponder what sort of Assassin skills and attribute investment I should set for the quick bar if and/or when I went into a combat scenario.
Once loaded, I proceeded to open up the expansion icon, Void Ascension and access my last save. It was there that my character appeared just where I had left her, outside the door to my 'Master' and her rather opulent room.
Anyway, I decided to focus once more on the surroundings and what I had seen after taking a few calming breaths.
I was not sure if opulence would truly describe her room, only that it appeared to have materials that I could only imagine a noble would have in this time period of a magical Renaissance era. For one thing, there was the closet that had hand carved pictures of nature on the front of the doors. I also noticed the gold knobs engraved with some kind of coat of arms that could only be from a noble family.
As I walked down the hallways in search of any kind of residential staff, I heard some whispers coming from right that sounded like a male and a female.
"Oh Katie, your eyes shine like the diamonds in the sky. I do wonder do you have a map for I am ever lost in them," whispered a male voice.
"Oh Guiche," swooned the girl known as Katie.
As I came closer to the sound of the voices, I waited around the corner for a pause in the conversation of the teenagers playing midnight lovers.
Once 'Guiche' had stopped with his flowery praise to get in between her legs and 'Katie' had stopped playing the gullible honeypot, I proceeded to walk down the hallway that was apparently the only way out of the dormitories and into the castle proper.
Now I had wondered if I could just Shadow Step passed the pair, however, I had not yet had the opportunity to carefully test my skills in this new game, I did not know what these runes on my character's hand would do to said skills, and I was not certain if the castle had any kind of alarms if I used my skills that could be mistaken for magic.
Upon hearing footsteps, the blond teenager wearing similar clothing to my Master's turned to face my character. At first his face had held a guarded smile, but his smile became more wider, and dare I say it more lecherous, as he saw my character move closer.
One thing I had forgotten was the fact that my female Assassin was wearing a skin-hugging outfit with a v-neck that bordered on improper in what I recalled of Renaissance noble fashion.
"What is this, a mature flower that has bloomed, tell me what is your name my dear exotic lovely," Guiche said as he attempted to take my hand and kiss it had Katie not fortunately interfered.
"Guiche, do you not have only eyes for me? Is that not the commoner that Zero summoned? Why would you flirt with her when I am here," questioned Katie in a somewhat hurt tone as she tugged on Guiche's arm.
"Whoever had named this quest certainly did not lack for imagination," I whispered sarcastically when I felt that I was out of hearing range of the two lovers.
Soon enough, I heard the sound of a mop cleaning the floor and I proceeded to track the sound to a maid with her back turned to me.
Now, if I remembered my history correctly, many commoners tended to resent the nobles or at least were weary of the upper class and if I could come off as one of the commoners, I could gain access to a possible source of information to access so that I could act as the proper servant/familiar of my noble Master.
"Excuse me," I said in a neutral voice approximately ten feet away.
"Huwaa....I mean how can I help you, my lady," the maid squeaked as she turned around, dropped the mop into the bucket, and bowed low with her eyes firmly trained on the ground.
"There is no need to address myself as 'my lady' as I am merely a humble servant of Master Valliere," I responded with a small smirk to my face.
As the maid looked up, her eyes widened as she took her first real look at my character. In the meantime, I noticed that her eyes had almost an almond-like slant that was typical of East Asian people and not something I had expected in a magical Renaissance game.
"You must be the familiar that Lady Valliere was said to have summoned! Are you alright? Have you been hurt? Do you need food," and Siesta would have continued her line of questioning had I not written the text command that my character should use the universal hand sign of stop.
"While I might answer your questions, I believe that it is necessary to have introductions first. My name is Setsuna, servant of Master Valliere," as I spoke my name, I wrote the text command to bow at the waist.
"Oh, where are my manners, my name is Siesta, maid of the Tristain Academy of Magic," the maid Siesta said as she curtseyed to me.
"While I answer your questions, could you assist me in a little problem of mine, Siesta?"
"What problem do you have, Setsuna?"
"I have been given the task to clean my Master's clothing before she awakens tomorrow. Would you know of a location that I can wash and dry these," I asked while I raised said clothing in front of my face.
"No worries," chirped Siesta. "I can take those from you and clean them."
"Thank you very much Siesta," I warmly spoke while text commanding my character to bow once more.
At my bow, Siesta's cheeks flushed and I noticed that she was paying particular attention to the v-neck of my character's outfit that showed off a bit of cleavage.
Once the maid had taken my load and turned around, I decided that I passed enough time to pause and saved my progress for another day.
------
"It's too early for this," I said as I got out of the shower wondering what the new game, Void Ascension would have in store for me.
I had just been informed by my boss at the ungodly hour of three in the morning that work was cancelled for the day because of an emergency that shut down our suppliers.
With nothing else to do, I decided to continue my first quest.
I proceeded to enter the game and continued from my last save point.
"At this rate, I shall become known as the Bane of Dirty Laundry. How exciting," I deadpanned quietly to myself, not knowing that my companion had heard my mutterings.
When I heard some giggling off to my right, I looked at Siesta as she had one hand covering her mouth in an attempt stifle her laughter.
I merely raised an eyebrow and smiled in response. Once we reached the laundering area, Siesta proceeded to begin the old-fashioned way of washing and wringing out of water.
"You said that you would answer my questions earlier. Can I ask you some now, Setsuna?"
"Of course, although you have already asked one," I responded as I put on a friendly smile.
Siesta smiled in response and relaxed a bit more before asking away.
"Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"
Initially, I thought to make up some witty remark, but I decided that truth from a certain perspective would be far easier to maintain than attempting to create a lie from the ground up.
"I hail from the land of Cantha, an island nation that is far from the mainland."
"You hail from the across the Great Ocean," questioned a wide-eyed Siesta as she paused in her work to look at me.
"Far enough that travelers from the mainland are not exactly commonplace," I said as I carefully did not specify what the name of the mainland was.
"What is the land like?"
"Our land is both a wonderful paradise and a place where danger can lurk around the corner."
"Danger?"
"Yes, I trained myself in self-defense and later refined my skills under the tutelage of some of the wisest and experienced instructors on Shing Jea Island. It was there that I found my calling as a bodyguard."
"Why would someone as pretty as you ever become a bodyguard?"
"Well, I would be lying if I said that I did not enjoy the thrill that came from fighting. Besides, the pay was good and it put food on the table."
"Was there not any other job you could have done?"
"There were, however, rumors of war and an ancient enemy re-surfacing were what guided me to begin my training."
"I see."
Siesta became silent at my revelation and began to ponder her own thoughts as she continued to wash my Master's clothing. Once I decided that enough time had passed in silence, I would begin my own inquiries.
"Siesta, do you mind if I ask you some questions?"
"Of course not, anything for a fellow commoner," chirped the ever-cheerful maid as she dealt with the more delicate materials carefully.
"I realize that I may come off as a fool, but please bear with me."
"Mmhmmm."
"What is this land like?"
On hearing my question, Siesta's shoulders slightly stiffened as though she had been reminded of a particularly unsavory memory. While pausing in her work, she signaled me to come closer while she looked around, as though she were afraid that someone might have been listening in.
"This land is ruled by the Royal Family who traces its' line back to Brimir and the Nobles," she spat out the last word as though it were a curse.
"I take it that the nobles are not looked on with much warmth by the commoners?"
"That's right. They care for nothing but themselves and only their own petty wants. Commoners might as well be cheap furniture that they use and toss away them the moment that they no longer have any use of them," Siesta spoke with much venom."
She continued to rant about those damn nobles for another few minutes, while I just listened and nodded at certain parts of her tale of the abusive nobles. Once she had calmed down, I continued with one more question as I did want to start exploring the castle soon.
"I'm sorry to hear just how terrible the situation is here in Tristain. Would you happen to know of any merchants or weaponsmiths around the area?"
At the change in topic, Siesta became the cheerful maid once more as she finished wringing out the clothing and hanged them to dry near a fire to the side.
"I believe that there is a town only a few leagues away from here and there is also the capital which is the where all the merchants come to sell their wares and services. Once my shift is over, I can show you the way."
"That would be wonderful. I look forward to our meeting again."
"No problem and you can get your Master's clothing half an hour before sunrise as it will likely be dry by then."
"Thank you once more for you help in my epic quest," I dryly said with a smirk.
"Your welcome," giggled Siesta.
------
It appeared that this castle was some form of a pentagon style building with five main towers. I had wandered around for some time inside the hallways and taking extra precaution to hide in case I heard some noises coming near me. I discovered what appeared to be a library, but someone was inside judging by the light and the human-shaped shadow that shown against the far wall. That and my handy targeting system alerted me to the name of the person as the Clumsy Bald Badass.
'Weird name and I guess that I will not know the actual name of his until I hear it'.
Finally tired of wandering inside the castle, I proceeded to go outside and begin testing my skills. Before attempting any of my skills, I decided to have a look around and see if there were any observers.
"Let's see, no enemies, no allies, wait a minute, there in the sky is a midget and a dragon," I muttered as I kept my character facing away from said midget. For awhile, it appeared that the midget was following me until I decided to surprise him/her by turning around and waving directly at the midget riding the dragon in the sky.
Yes, that was the name of the person following me: Midget Dragon Rider.
Suffice to say, the pause by the midget dragon rider gave me enough time to enter the forest at a run and apparently lose my tracker as I did not see said person on my targeting system.
As for extra precaution, I decided to leave the castle proper and begin practicing in the forest. Once I felt that I was far enough, I began testing what I had for combat.
First, I tried a variant of the Shadow Step, the Side Step. Before I attempted the skill, I marked my location by dropping a piece of cloth on the ground. Now the Side Step skill is more like rapid running than actual teleportation, although the cinematics and gameplay mechanics would probably show otherwise. It was then that I first discovered that this pseudo-teleportation skill had been amped up and I had literally appeared at least twenty times as far as my character would normally travel.
"That did not just happen. Let's try that again."
And again and again and again. Each time I activated the Side Step skill I appeared much further than what I could have normally achieved in the other Guild Wars games.
"Enough imitating Sonic. Time to try my dagger skills."
When I used some of my more esoteric strikes, I found that I could literally carve up the tree trunks that easily measured a meter thick with several well-placed hits.
So, time wore on as I tested more and more of my physical skills that had been juiced up on steroids.
I decided to visit for whatever passed for the library with the hope that I did not run into the Clumsy Bald Badass.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
-------
I had finally returned home after trying my best to beat the rain.
Normally, I would not be in any rush because I had my trusty umbrella to keep the water from getting me too wet.
Unfortunately, there was not only heavy rain, there was a lot of strong winds that pretty much turned my umbrella inside out. It was a good umbrella too as it had served me pretty well for over fifteen years.
So, while I was dripping like I had just taken a dive into a pool in my clothes, I proceeded to freshen myself up and clean the floor of the excess water that had literally pooled at my feet. Not dripped, pooled.
After doing all the usual chores and cleaning up the water on the floor, I went to my laptop and turned on the power to see what I could do with the mysterious new program that had hijacked my game mid-cinematic.
"Let's see, I can still access all of the characters I made for Prophecies, Factions, Nightfall, and Eye of the North, so it should not have affected my ability to access the main game."
It was during my observation of my various characters that I noticed a new icon to the right labeled Guild Wars: Void Ascension.
"Huh, well that is interesting to note. I suppose I would rather finish the new adventure and see it through to the end. Well, here goes nothing," I said as I clicked the new icon, not realizing that my character would be dragged into a new world filled a journey that would affect me more emotionally than any of the previous games I had ever played.
I watched, entranced by the realistic graphics once more, as a new cinematic played out and showed how my character, Setsuna the Assassin had been branded as a familiar by the mage student Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere.
"Pentagon of the Five Powers, bless this humble being as I make it my familiar."
While the girl now known as Louise said these words, she had been waving her wand in a somewhat circular pattern and approached my character with the kiss that I had seen on my screen the last time I had played this game.
Only this time, I was watching from an outsider perspective.
After the ritual had ended with the smoke arising from the hand and the runes making themselves known, I noticed that a bald-headed man in robes approached my character and grabbed her hand without even saying please.
"Fascinating, I have never seen such runes before...." spoke the man in robes as he apparently copied down the runes, while he continued to mumble about something or someone called Brimir.
After the bald man had copied down the runes, the cinematic changed to a new scene that showed a flying island. Once again, I marveled at how detailed the scenery was and how could it be possible that my old laptop with its dated graphics card could even show a hundredth of the detail I was looking at now.
Before I could ponder anymore, the scene began to approach the flying island and I watched, drinking in every detail I possibly could. A new voice, similar to Patrick Stewart, began to narrate not so much what I saw, but what would possibly come to pass.
"The fate of the island has already tipped heavily in favor of the anti-Royal movement, the ones known as the Reconquista. Even now, the pro-Royal mages are fighting a desperate battle against an enemy that have appeared almost out of nowhere."
After taking a pause, the narrator continued when the scene of the flying island zoomed in to show many skirmishes and battles that were occurring all over the country. Some battles were ended quickly and efficiently. Others, however, showed the cruelty of the human race in warfare, especially to the women.
"However, there is hope for this nation as a higher power has seen fit to intervene in the cruel game that the fifth element has played on these people for so long."
"Only time will tell if the new champion will arise to the challenge or fail just as the previous familiars had fallen in their bid to stop the endless cycle."
At that, the cinematic ended and I saw that my character was once more inside the courtyard with only Louise and my character present.
I was not certain if last time had been a fluke, so, I decided to test out my little theory on whether or not the in-game NPC's could hear me, while I pretended to RP my character.
"Well young lady, is there any title that this one could properly address your person," I asked with what I hoped was a subservient tone, while I entered some text to have my character kneel.
At my words, Louise reacted by lifting an eyebrow and prepared a response, while she stood with her back straight and what appeared to be a glint of respect in her eyes.
"Familiar, rise, as you already no doubt heard I am Louise Francoise Le Blanc de La Valliere, but you will address me as Master," she spoke with an authoritative tone that I found rather cute and, after some hesitation, she continued in a smaller, more uncertain voice,"Is there a name that I can call you by?"
In response to her request, I had my character stand up.
"Thank you Master, for humbling this one with Master's name and thank you again Master for asking for this one's name. This one is named Setsuna."
After waiting for more information besides a name, Louise appeared to have lost patience and was about to ask a question when I decided to head off any inquiries as to what my character's profession was.
Before she could ask, I intervened with, "Pardon this one's intrusion Master, but would it not be prudent to seek shelter before the sun sets?"
At my question, Louise opened her mouth and the closed it. She huffed in indignation, but did not do anything else except stutter out, "V-Very well familiar, you make a good point, but do not expect me to be so lenient in the future should you interrupt me next time."
And so, we headed to the dormitory where we entered her room and she gave me her first command as she took off her clothing and threw them at me.
"Familiar, I want these clothes cleaned and ready for tomorrow."
I merely raised an eyebrow as she apparently thought nothing about nudity in front of my character.
"Very well, Master. If Master has no other orders, may this one explore the castle and the surroundings to become better acquainted with the area?"
At my request, she nodded in what she probably thought was a perilous manner, but only reminded me of a bobble head.
"You may go exploring, but only if you remember to take care of my clothing and wake me up at sunrise."
"Very well, Master. By your leave?"
At her nod, I left the room with the clothing in my hands.
At that point, I decided to save my game and exit as I needed to start making dinner.
-------
To get myself in the mood for playing what appeared to be possibly a Renassaince era game as a servant of a noble, I decided to have a rather simple meal of unsalted potatos, carrots, onions, garlic and chicken in some stew with a glass of water containing a hint of honey.
In reality, I was not really certain if my simple fair would actually pass for what was eaten by the servants of the game, Void Ascension. Then again, I rarely ever saw any NPC's eat in the Guild Wars games and their respective expansions, so I just improvised.
Meal finished, I decided to have one more go at playing my newly acquired expansion before going to bed.
I opened up my laptop once more and waited as the start up sequence began with the typical Windows loading screen and the two minutes it took for my computer to settle down before I could load up the game disc. During the load up, I began to ponder what sort of Assassin skills and attribute investment I should set for the quick bar if and/or when I went into a combat scenario.
Once loaded, I proceeded to open up the expansion icon, Void Ascension and access my last save. It was there that my character appeared just where I had left her, outside the door to my 'Master' and her rather opulent room.
"Seriously, what the hell is up with the names of these skill I am gaining?!"
Anyway, I decided to focus once more on the surroundings and what I had seen after taking a few calming breaths.
I was not sure if opulence would truly describe her room, only that it appeared to have materials that I could only imagine a noble would have in this time period of a magical Renaissance era. For one thing, there was the closet that had hand carved pictures of nature on the front of the doors. I also noticed the gold knobs engraved with some kind of coat of arms that could only be from a noble family.
As I walked down the hallways in search of any kind of residential staff, I heard some whispers coming from right that sounded like a male and a female.
"Oh Katie, your eyes shine like the diamonds in the sky. I do wonder do you have a map for I am ever lost in them," whispered a male voice.
"Oh Guiche," swooned the girl known as Katie.
As I came closer to the sound of the voices, I waited around the corner for a pause in the conversation of the teenagers playing midnight lovers.
Once 'Guiche' had stopped with his flowery praise to get in between her legs and 'Katie' had stopped playing the gullible honeypot, I proceeded to walk down the hallway that was apparently the only way out of the dormitories and into the castle proper.
Now I had wondered if I could just Shadow Step passed the pair, however, I had not yet had the opportunity to carefully test my skills in this new game, I did not know what these runes on my character's hand would do to said skills, and I was not certain if the castle had any kind of alarms if I used my skills that could be mistaken for magic.
Upon hearing footsteps, the blond teenager wearing similar clothing to my Master's turned to face my character. At first his face had held a guarded smile, but his smile became more wider, and dare I say it more lecherous, as he saw my character move closer.
One thing I had forgotten was the fact that my female Assassin was wearing a skin-hugging outfit with a v-neck that bordered on improper in what I recalled of Renaissance noble fashion.
"What is this, a mature flower that has bloomed, tell me what is your name my dear exotic lovely," Guiche said as he attempted to take my hand and kiss it had Katie not fortunately interfered.
"Guiche, do you not have only eyes for me? Is that not the commoner that Zero summoned? Why would you flirt with her when I am here," questioned Katie in a somewhat hurt tone as she tugged on Guiche's arm.
While Guiche turned around to do damage control and having been relieved by the message, I continued to walk past at a faster pace in the hopes that I could get out of their line of sight and finish my first quest. Yes, I had received my first quest in the Quests Folder and it was titled 'Dirty Laundry' and I was also quite glad that I had narrowly avoided the Guiche Route.
"Whoever had named this quest certainly did not lack for imagination," I whispered sarcastically when I felt that I was out of hearing range of the two lovers.
Soon enough, I heard the sound of a mop cleaning the floor and I proceeded to track the sound to a maid with her back turned to me.
Now, if I remembered my history correctly, many commoners tended to resent the nobles or at least were weary of the upper class and if I could come off as one of the commoners, I could gain access to a possible source of information to access so that I could act as the proper servant/familiar of my noble Master.
"Excuse me," I said in a neutral voice approximately ten feet away.
"Huwaa....I mean how can I help you, my lady," the maid squeaked as she turned around, dropped the mop into the bucket, and bowed low with her eyes firmly trained on the ground.
"There is no need to address myself as 'my lady' as I am merely a humble servant of Master Valliere," I responded with a small smirk to my face.
As the maid looked up, her eyes widened as she took her first real look at my character. In the meantime, I noticed that her eyes had almost an almond-like slant that was typical of East Asian people and not something I had expected in a magical Renaissance game.
"You must be the familiar that Lady Valliere was said to have summoned! Are you alright? Have you been hurt? Do you need food," and Siesta would have continued her line of questioning had I not written the text command that my character should use the universal hand sign of stop.
"While I might answer your questions, I believe that it is necessary to have introductions first. My name is Setsuna, servant of Master Valliere," as I spoke my name, I wrote the text command to bow at the waist.
"Oh, where are my manners, my name is Siesta, maid of the Tristain Academy of Magic," the maid Siesta said as she curtseyed to me.
"While I answer your questions, could you assist me in a little problem of mine, Siesta?"
"What problem do you have, Setsuna?"
"I have been given the task to clean my Master's clothing before she awakens tomorrow. Would you know of a location that I can wash and dry these," I asked while I raised said clothing in front of my face.
"No worries," chirped Siesta. "I can take those from you and clean them."
"Thank you very much Siesta," I warmly spoke while text commanding my character to bow once more.
At my bow, Siesta's cheeks flushed and I noticed that she was paying particular attention to the v-neck of my character's outfit that showed off a bit of cleavage.
'Interesting' I thought to myself, while I decided not to tease the maid until I had properly probed her for information regarding the world, this academy, and my Master.
Once the maid had taken my load and turned around, I decided that I passed enough time to pause and saved my progress for another day.
------
"It's too early for this," I said as I got out of the shower wondering what the new game, Void Ascension would have in store for me.
I had just been informed by my boss at the ungodly hour of three in the morning that work was cancelled for the day because of an emergency that shut down our suppliers.
With nothing else to do, I decided to continue my first quest.
I proceeded to enter the game and continued from my last save point.
"At this rate, I shall become known as the Bane of Dirty Laundry. How exciting," I deadpanned quietly to myself, not knowing that my companion had heard my mutterings.
When I heard some giggling off to my right, I looked at Siesta as she had one hand covering her mouth in an attempt stifle her laughter.
I merely raised an eyebrow and smiled in response. Once we reached the laundering area, Siesta proceeded to begin the old-fashioned way of washing and wringing out of water.
"You said that you would answer my questions earlier. Can I ask you some now, Setsuna?"
"Of course, although you have already asked one," I responded as I put on a friendly smile.
Siesta smiled in response and relaxed a bit more before asking away.
"Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"
Initially, I thought to make up some witty remark, but I decided that truth from a certain perspective would be far easier to maintain than attempting to create a lie from the ground up.
"I hail from the land of Cantha, an island nation that is far from the mainland."
"You hail from the across the Great Ocean," questioned a wide-eyed Siesta as she paused in her work to look at me.
"Far enough that travelers from the mainland are not exactly commonplace," I said as I carefully did not specify what the name of the mainland was.
"What is the land like?"
"Our land is both a wonderful paradise and a place where danger can lurk around the corner."
"Danger?"
"Yes, I trained myself in self-defense and later refined my skills under the tutelage of some of the wisest and experienced instructors on Shing Jea Island. It was there that I found my calling as a bodyguard."
"Why would someone as pretty as you ever become a bodyguard?"
"Well, I would be lying if I said that I did not enjoy the thrill that came from fighting. Besides, the pay was good and it put food on the table."
"Was there not any other job you could have done?"
"There were, however, rumors of war and an ancient enemy re-surfacing were what guided me to begin my training."
"I see."
Siesta became silent at my revelation and began to ponder her own thoughts as she continued to wash my Master's clothing. Once I decided that enough time had passed in silence, I would begin my own inquiries.
"Siesta, do you mind if I ask you some questions?"
"Of course not, anything for a fellow commoner," chirped the ever-cheerful maid as she dealt with the more delicate materials carefully.
"I realize that I may come off as a fool, but please bear with me."
"Mmhmmm."
"What is this land like?"
On hearing my question, Siesta's shoulders slightly stiffened as though she had been reminded of a particularly unsavory memory. While pausing in her work, she signaled me to come closer while she looked around, as though she were afraid that someone might have been listening in.
"This land is ruled by the Royal Family who traces its' line back to Brimir and the Nobles," she spat out the last word as though it were a curse.
"I take it that the nobles are not looked on with much warmth by the commoners?"
"That's right. They care for nothing but themselves and only their own petty wants. Commoners might as well be cheap furniture that they use and toss away them the moment that they no longer have any use of them," Siesta spoke with much venom."
She continued to rant about those damn nobles for another few minutes, while I just listened and nodded at certain parts of her tale of the abusive nobles. Once she had calmed down, I continued with one more question as I did want to start exploring the castle soon.
"I'm sorry to hear just how terrible the situation is here in Tristain. Would you happen to know of any merchants or weaponsmiths around the area?"
At the change in topic, Siesta became the cheerful maid once more as she finished wringing out the clothing and hanged them to dry near a fire to the side.
"I believe that there is a town only a few leagues away from here and there is also the capital which is the where all the merchants come to sell their wares and services. Once my shift is over, I can show you the way."
"That would be wonderful. I look forward to our meeting again."
"No problem and you can get your Master's clothing half an hour before sunrise as it will likely be dry by then."
"Thank you once more for you help in my epic quest," I dryly said with a smirk.
"Your welcome," giggled Siesta.
------
It appeared that this castle was some form of a pentagon style building with five main towers. I had wandered around for some time inside the hallways and taking extra precaution to hide in case I heard some noises coming near me. I discovered what appeared to be a library, but someone was inside judging by the light and the human-shaped shadow that shown against the far wall. That and my handy targeting system alerted me to the name of the person as the Clumsy Bald Badass.
'Weird name and I guess that I will not know the actual name of his until I hear it'.
Finally tired of wandering inside the castle, I proceeded to go outside and begin testing my skills. Before attempting any of my skills, I decided to have a look around and see if there were any observers.
"Let's see, no enemies, no allies, wait a minute, there in the sky is a midget and a dragon," I muttered as I kept my character facing away from said midget. For awhile, it appeared that the midget was following me until I decided to surprise him/her by turning around and waving directly at the midget riding the dragon in the sky.
Yes, that was the name of the person following me: Midget Dragon Rider.
Suffice to say, the pause by the midget dragon rider gave me enough time to enter the forest at a run and apparently lose my tracker as I did not see said person on my targeting system.
As for extra precaution, I decided to leave the castle proper and begin practicing in the forest. Once I felt that I was far enough, I began testing what I had for combat.
First, I tried a variant of the Shadow Step, the Side Step. Before I attempted the skill, I marked my location by dropping a piece of cloth on the ground. Now the Side Step skill is more like rapid running than actual teleportation, although the cinematics and gameplay mechanics would probably show otherwise. It was then that I first discovered that this pseudo-teleportation skill had been amped up and I had literally appeared at least twenty times as far as my character would normally travel.
"That did not just happen. Let's try that again."
And again and again and again. Each time I activated the Side Step skill I appeared much further than what I could have normally achieved in the other Guild Wars games.
"Enough imitating Sonic. Time to try my dagger skills."
When I used some of my more esoteric strikes, I found that I could literally carve up the tree trunks that easily measured a meter thick with several well-placed hits.
So, time wore on as I tested more and more of my physical skills that had been juiced up on steroids.
With enough practice under my belt, I proceeded to return to the castle via Shadow Stepping and nearly falling on top of a person called Suspicious Secretary, upon which I activated Shadow Step right away in the hopes that she did not see me.
I decided to visit for whatever passed for the library with the hope that I did not run into the Clumsy Bald Badass.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
Chapter One, Part Two: Enter the Assassin
------
As I made my way to the school library, I noted that only three hours had passed in game time while I had been testing my newly improved skills. Normally, I would see in-game time move several times faster than real-time, but it seemed that one second in the real world matched one second in the world of the magical Renaissance world as three hours had passed in the real world.
"Well, at least I don't have to rush from one quest to another like a drunk squirrel on crack," I softly said to no one in particular as I made the last few steps towards the library entrance.
Once I passed the doorway, I made sure to check my targeting system to see if that Clumsy Bald Badass had left already. In all honesty, I did not relish fighting against someone who had such a title of Clumsy Bald Badass because, from my experience, the clumsy part was usually a cover for what made the person a badass. I really hoped that my game would not end prematurely as I had not even ended my first day here.
As I approached the only source of light near the tables, I observed the only other human snoring away on top of a book. Next to his person, I saw that there were several stacks of books in writings that I was able to read in English. I had thought that the written language of this world would have been foreign, but it appeared that I was able to conveniently read without the need for a translator.
"Interesting information you have found here Bald Badass," I whispered as I carefully inspected what the bald man had been reading.
When I was about to leave him behind and explore the rest of the library, I heard him mumble something about Gandlfr and Brimir, while he shivered as though he were cold. For one reason or another, I felt a bit of pity for him shivering as it reminded me of my college days spent in the school library doing overnight research.
"That is a rather uncomfortable position to sleep in. I hope I do not regret this later on," I spoke softly as I pulled a guild cape with my clan's insignia out of my inventory and draped it over the bald man gently while I continued my one-sided soft conversation, "Sleep well and I hope you do not have any cramps when you wake up."
Long story short, I spent time viewing each book in summary form that were presented to me through the game mechanics.
"If I had to read through each one cover-to-cover, I would be stuck here for weeks," I whispered as I finished putting away the last book.
Albion was the floating island north of my current position and was known for its dragon knights and its fleet. This was the place that was mentioned in the cinematic that was currently engaged in war against insurgents.
To the southwest, Gallia had a ruler that was engaging in massive infrastructure investment that had resulted in a relatively modern nation, by local standards.
To the southeast, Romalia was the heart of the Church of Brimir and led by the head of the state and the head of the church, the Pope.
In my position was Tristain, a small nation that had survived thanks to the efforts of it small, but epic heros, such as, the Heavy Wind and the Flame Snake and had often engaged in extensive diplomatic negotiations to keep its sovereignty intact.
I also learned that a new nation had emerged to the east called Germania as a major power on the continent, despite not having any links to their Holy Founder.
Further in my readings, I discovered the Elves, the Vampires, and other non-human factions that were known to wield Firstborn magic and were considered with great hostility.
Beyond the Elven lands, there were rumors of a human nation that had some parallels with the Ottoman Empire of my world.
"All in all, it appears that someone went to great lengths to copy my world, while adding magic and other fanciful creatures," I noted to myself as I made copies of the book summaries in my inventory for a quick reference, in case I needed to call up the more esoteric knowledge.
"Most of this crap they call history sounds more like thinly-veiled propaganda that even the yellow journalists back home would mock."
As I made my way back to the library entrance, I noticed the bald man begin to stir awake.
It was then that I realized the mistake I had made. I had left my guild cape on his person that could possibly lead back to me. Either I could attempt to Shadow Step to his person for a quick grab n' go or I could try to walk to him and hope he did not act in a hostile manner.
A second later, I decided to take the safe course.
As he began to lift his head, I noticed that he had some ink stains on his hands.
Once he had gotten a yawn out of the way, I text commanded my character to bow at the waist.
"Good evening, my lord."
"Wha-, students are not allowed out during th- oh."
"This person apologizes for the interruption, my lord."
As the bald man adjusted his glasses, he focused on my person with an almost hawk-like precision before relaxing his facial features into that of a kindly bald man. On my screen, I noticed that some strange runes appeared on the upper left-hand corner that matched the runes on my hand, as though it were about to initiate because of combat.
'Badass indeed if he can activate my combat-boosting runes with just a glance,' I thought to myself.
"Please rise. I am not a lord. Just who ar- ah yes, you are the Familiar that Ms. Valliere summoned earlier today. And what are you doing in the library at this time of the night?"
I allowed my character to rise from her position and schooled my features into the neutral face and answered the bald man with a polite tone.
"This person was merely exploring the castle after permission was given in order to carry out servant tasks more efficiently for Master."
At my response, the bald man blinked several times before he gave a respectful nod and a warm smile that I could not help but respond in kind.
"A most dutiful Familiar that Ms. Valliere has gained."
"Thank you, Mr...."
At my query, the bald man slapped his forehead while he grimaced in apology. "How rude of me! Here I am accusing you of trespassing after hours and you have done nothing but act and speak respectfully to me. My name is Jean Colbert, professor of the Tristain Academy of Magic. I would greet you properly, miss, but it seems that I have drenched my hands in ink," he said wryly while I smiled in return.
'Jean Colbert, huh? All these names I am encountering sounds more and more like they were based off of real-world people from European history'.
"Mr. Colbert, my name is Setsuna, Familiar of Master Valliere."
"Jean, please call me Jean as you are not a student and appear to be an adult Ms. Setsuna."
"Then please, call me Setsuna."
Before he could continue the conversation, I interrupted him with, "I must apologize once more as I was not certain if you were suffering from the cold in your sleep. When you shivered, I placed my cape over your person in the hope that it would stave off the worst of the temperature."
At pointing out the cape, Jean Colbert turned his head to look at the said cape. He then took it off and began to examine the insignia. As he looked closer, his face began to pale as though he had been presented with a rather unsavory thought.
"Setsuna, although we have not known each other for long, would you answer me honestly," he asked with a shaky voice.
"Of course Jean," I answered having already thought up a way to answer this question.
"Are you a noble?"
"No."
At my answer, Jean looked at me again with that hawk-like precision for a few seconds and nodded his head to himself as he decided that my answer had apparently satisfied whatever criteria he had been looking for. And once again, my combat-enhancing runes began to appear on my screen and then, after some unseen signal, they disappeared. His eyes softened once more and he went back into warm professor mode.
"Thank you for answering my question, Setsuna. Here and thank you for the kind gesture."
I took the cape into my hands and I chose not to put it away into my inventory for fear of blowing my cover with what might appear to be magic. I noted that the cape moved a bit more sluggish like some extra weight had been added, but I chalked it up to magic.
"Your welcome, Jean. It has been a pleasure to speak with you Jean, however, I have my Familiar duties to attend to. By your leave?"
"Of course, of course, don't let me get in your way," he said as he tried to step towards me and escort me out the library like a gentleman.
Tried being the keyword.
Apparently, he misjudged the length of the cape that somehow moved towards him and he tripped, landing on my character, while he tried to regain his balance by grabbing hold of something. Unfortunately, he grabbed two somethings as Jean fell on top of my character.
My screen remained in the same position, but it looked as though Jean Colbert had landed with his head firmly entrenched between Setsuna's breasts and both hands on the mounds in question. Meanwhile, I noticed on my targeting system a mouse called the Panty Peeper squeak and throw its hand in triumph until it noticed that I was looking directly at it and it froze with the deer-in-the-headlights look.
For awhile, nothing happened and no one said anything. I could only look at the screen while I slapped my face, which my character copied.
After some silent signal, Jean Colbert scrambled to get off of Setsuna as he muttered apology after apology with a very red face. Once he had regained his footing, he proceeded to help my character to her feet.
"I am truly sorry about thi...."
I held a hand up and Jean stopped to hear me out, "Jean, it was an accident."
"But I...you see....that is to say....," sputtered a red-faced Colbert.
"Again, it was only an accident, but if you want to make it up to me, would you be willing to have more conversations in the future?"
"I....thank you and I would be honored to have your company in the future," spoke a much more relieved Colbert.
Meanwhile, I noticed Panty Peeper run away from the us, through the entrance, and towards some far away location.
Once I had left Jean's hearing range, I muttered, "Panty Peeper, this means war."
------
"No way that my character can lose track of a mere rat with my hunter-killer build," I muttered as I continued my chase of the Panty Peeper as it was somehow able to use the various nooks and crannies of the castle to the greatest effect. That effect was in evading me with a measure of success that seemed unreal.
Unfortunately, what should have been only a thirty second chase turned into a twenty-five minute long hunt. During this time, I had remembered that the other students in the courtyard had various animals, some mundane while other appeared more, exotic.
"This Panty Peeper must be a Familiar of some kind. If so, then it must be a perverted little freak, have a master that is a perverted big freak, or they are the perverted freak duo," I spoke quietly as I stopped to re-orient Setsuna to the side of the hallway.
I decided that a change in tactics was in order and use of my skills was probably considered reasonable in this instance if my Master were to ever hear word of this. Once again, I tapped into my targeting system and located the Panty Peeper approximately fifteen meters to my left and three meters behind Setsuna near a door entrance, but not quite behind it.
So, I pretended that I had had enough chasing the rat while making sure that I kept Setsuna facing away from said rat. While I began walking, I decided to accidentally 'drop' some Delicious Cake from my inventory. Don't ask me how it stays fresh after spending five years in there as I blame it on gameplay mechanics.
Now some may wonder why I thought that the rat that was supposedly a Familiar might fall for the obvious Cake trap. That was because I suspected that the Panty Peeper was tired, hungry, and desperate after the nearly half an hour of running and near misses for rat and assassin. Luckily for me, I was only playing from a computer and would only suffer from cramped legs, while the rat was probably winded and starving.
"I think it finally got away, guess I'll just have to get back to my Master," I said somewhat loudly as I prepared three Shadow Step variants to chain together and one Pile of Glittering Dust and a Bag of Holding from my inventory.
The reason for having chosen three Shadow Steps was a rather simple one. As fast it was and calling it pseudo-teleportation, I could still be blocked by physical objects and I was not certain just how many Shadow Steps would be needed to catch the rat on steroids.
Once I was far enough in the direction towards Master's room, my targeting system showed that Panty Peeper had started slowly moving in the direction of the Delicious Cake. In the meantime, I began pulling out the Pile of Glittering Dust and the Bag of Holding once I had turned the corner.
I began to count.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Three successive Steps later, I had caught the rat looking up at me wide-eyed as it was just about to take a bite. Suddenly, there was a distant cry of what sounded like an old man in despair.
"IT'S A TRAP! NOOOOOO!"
Ignoring the shout, I dropped the Dust onto Panty Peeper and stuffed the rat into the Bag of Holding without fearing that the rat would die due to the strange game mechanics of keeping objects in the inventory perfectly fine.
"Good riddance," I said as I placed the Delicious Cake back into the inventory and left to pick up some laundry.
------
As I stood outside the door to my Master's room, I was torn between continuing my act as the dutiful servant or possibly changing my role and drop hints and verbal nudges to my Master that could make the game more interesting.
Decision made, I opened the door as quietly as possible and closed it with a quiet 'clicking' sound. Freshly dried laundry in hand, I moved toward where my Master was sound asleep in her bed. For a split second, there was the temptation to use my daggers and end this farce of a Familiar role. However, the thought only lasted for that split second and was banished in favor of the 'wait-and-see' policy in case things became more interesting as time went on.
So, I took the time to go through my Master's belongings while I took careful note to place the items back in the exact same manner once I was done with my inspection. The most prominent of these were the wand, academic papers, magical books, and the letters from someone called 'Cattleya'.
After reading past the first few lines of the 'Cattleya' letters, I found myself feeling slightly ashamed at having intruded what appeared to be the heartfelt and gut-wrenching pleas of a lonely and depressed young girl trying to put up a brave front. I closed the letters and put them away in order to look at the other items.
It was then that I finally noticed the bale of hay stacked in the corner.
"I guess she expecting some kind of animal. Then again, if Darwin existed in this world, I could be considered a kind of animal," I snorted to myself.
*Mumble, mumble, mumble*
At the sound of the other only human within the room, I turned to see that my Master had shifted around in bed as though she were in the middle of some kind of dream.
*Mumble, mumble, evil has returned, mumble*
"Almost sounds like she's seeing the Factions intro as a dream," I whispered.
Before I was able to do anything else, the first rays of sunlight began to filter from the window. With the command from last night given, I decided to wake up Master with thoughts on my mind of how to make some excitement for myself.
I approached the bed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke softly, "Master Valliere, as commanded, your servant bids you awake."
*Mumble, too early, mumble*
"Master, please do not make me resort to other methods."
At my words, Louise Valliere merely turned away from my person and sunk even deeper into the bed sheets and pillows.
"Very well Master, you have until the count of three."
*Snort, mumble*
"Three."
*Snore*
"Two."
*Mumble*
"One."
Carefully, I reached over her face and pinched her nose and covered her mouth. The effect was nearly immediate. Her eyes bulged open and she flailed her arms about and screamed something about everything petrifying while rolling towards the edge of the bed.
In response to this reaction, I removed my hands and moved to catch Louise before she hit her head on the floor. Once she was secured in my arms, I began to speak to her in the hopes of removing the remaining fogs of sleep from her.
"Master."
"Evil!"
"Master."
"Boom!"
"Master!"
"All is...."
"MASTER!"
"Eeeeekkk!"
After a few seconds of blinking and looking around, Louise turned her head and looked straight at my character's face. Before she could lash out in anger or fear, I began speaking.
"Master, you commanded me to awaken you. Even though you were awake, you were still trapped in whatever dream held your thoughts last night. This person apologizes for taking liberties with your person, however, there was a distinct need to obey and protect as your servant."
More blinking ensued on her part as she digested what I had said. For a while, she would open her mouth and close it back with an audible sound.
At first, it appeared that anger was boiling to the surface in her eyes, but was beaten back down as she began to realize where she was and who was holding her.
She also began to notice that her head was comfortably nestled in my character's chest. At that observation, her face turned quite red and she opened her mouth.
"F-familiar, put me down this instant! It would be the breast, I mean best, if you left the room right now," she squeaked almost sounding like a squirrel.
"As you wish, Master, although I think that it would be for the breast if I put you on your bed first," I teased her with a playful smile on my face and waggled my eyebrows. While I said these words, I placed Louise back onto the bed and put her clean clothing next to her.
"Get out, get out, get ou- famliar, what are those hand marks on your bre- bre-, on your person," she questioned as though she was trying to desperately change the topic.
However, I had already been near the door as she tried to point out the markings on my clothing. I decided to ignore her request as I was also surprised that I had overlooked the ink stains on my clothing and thoughts of my chase with Panty Peeper had taken priority at the time.
"Please dress yourself Master as it is not appropriate for this person ," I said with that same teasing note as I opened the door. "Besides, I fear for my virtue if all you can think of are my breasts!"
"Wha- I am not a child and I am not obsessed with bre- bre- female parts! Get back her Familiar. Familiar!"
I closed the door behind my character and took a quick scan of my surroudings. Once I found that it was clear, I accessed my inventory and changed Setsuna's clothing with a similar one without the ink stains.
Clothing change done, I saved my progress and exited the program.
------
Comments, criticisms, suggestions on how to improve or make better please.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-controlled Assassin
Factions Introduction Cinematic - the dream Louise Valliere had without the titles at the beginning and end.
------
As I made my way to the school library, I noted that only three hours had passed in game time while I had been testing my newly improved skills. Normally, I would see in-game time move several times faster than real-time, but it seemed that one second in the real world matched one second in the world of the magical Renaissance world as three hours had passed in the real world.
"Well, at least I don't have to rush from one quest to another like a drunk squirrel on crack," I softly said to no one in particular as I made the last few steps towards the library entrance.
Once I passed the doorway, I made sure to check my targeting system to see if that Clumsy Bald Badass had left already. In all honesty, I did not relish fighting against someone who had such a title of Clumsy Bald Badass because, from my experience, the clumsy part was usually a cover for what made the person a badass. I really hoped that my game would not end prematurely as I had not even ended my first day here.
As I approached the only source of light near the tables, I observed the only other human snoring away on top of a book. Next to his person, I saw that there were several stacks of books in writings that I was able to read in English. I had thought that the written language of this world would have been foreign, but it appeared that I was able to conveniently read without the need for a translator.
"Interesting information you have found here Bald Badass," I whispered as I carefully inspected what the bald man had been reading.
When I was about to leave him behind and explore the rest of the library, I heard him mumble something about Gandlfr and Brimir, while he shivered as though he were cold. For one reason or another, I felt a bit of pity for him shivering as it reminded me of my college days spent in the school library doing overnight research.
"That is a rather uncomfortable position to sleep in. I hope I do not regret this later on," I spoke softly as I pulled a guild cape with my clan's insignia out of my inventory and draped it over the bald man gently while I continued my one-sided soft conversation, "Sleep well and I hope you do not have any cramps when you wake up."
Long story short, I spent time viewing each book in summary form that were presented to me through the game mechanics.
"If I had to read through each one cover-to-cover, I would be stuck here for weeks," I whispered as I finished putting away the last book.
Now I knew that I was on the landmass known as Halkegenia and there were four nations that claimed legitimacy from Brimir: Albion, Gallia, Romalia, and Tristain.
Albion was the floating island north of my current position and was known for its dragon knights and its fleet. This was the place that was mentioned in the cinematic that was currently engaged in war against insurgents.
To the southwest, Gallia had a ruler that was engaging in massive infrastructure investment that had resulted in a relatively modern nation, by local standards.
To the southeast, Romalia was the heart of the Church of Brimir and led by the head of the state and the head of the church, the Pope.
In my position was Tristain, a small nation that had survived thanks to the efforts of it small, but epic heros, such as, the Heavy Wind and the Flame Snake and had often engaged in extensive diplomatic negotiations to keep its sovereignty intact.
I also learned that a new nation had emerged to the east called Germania as a major power on the continent, despite not having any links to their Holy Founder.
Further in my readings, I discovered the Elves, the Vampires, and other non-human factions that were known to wield Firstborn magic and were considered with great hostility.
Beyond the Elven lands, there were rumors of a human nation that had some parallels with the Ottoman Empire of my world.
"All in all, it appears that someone went to great lengths to copy my world, while adding magic and other fanciful creatures," I noted to myself as I made copies of the book summaries in my inventory for a quick reference, in case I needed to call up the more esoteric knowledge.
"Most of this crap they call history sounds more like thinly-veiled propaganda that even the yellow journalists back home would mock."
As I made my way back to the library entrance, I noticed the bald man begin to stir awake.
It was then that I realized the mistake I had made. I had left my guild cape on his person that could possibly lead back to me. Either I could attempt to Shadow Step to his person for a quick grab n' go or I could try to walk to him and hope he did not act in a hostile manner.
A second later, I decided to take the safe course.
As he began to lift his head, I noticed that he had some ink stains on his hands.
Once he had gotten a yawn out of the way, I text commanded my character to bow at the waist.
"Good evening, my lord."
"Wha-, students are not allowed out during th- oh."
"This person apologizes for the interruption, my lord."
As the bald man adjusted his glasses, he focused on my person with an almost hawk-like precision before relaxing his facial features into that of a kindly bald man. On my screen, I noticed that some strange runes appeared on the upper left-hand corner that matched the runes on my hand, as though it were about to initiate because of combat.
'Badass indeed if he can activate my combat-boosting runes with just a glance,' I thought to myself.
"Please rise. I am not a lord. Just who ar- ah yes, you are the Familiar that Ms. Valliere summoned earlier today. And what are you doing in the library at this time of the night?"
I allowed my character to rise from her position and schooled my features into the neutral face and answered the bald man with a polite tone.
"This person was merely exploring the castle after permission was given in order to carry out servant tasks more efficiently for Master."
At my response, the bald man blinked several times before he gave a respectful nod and a warm smile that I could not help but respond in kind.
"A most dutiful Familiar that Ms. Valliere has gained."
"Thank you, Mr...."
At my query, the bald man slapped his forehead while he grimaced in apology. "How rude of me! Here I am accusing you of trespassing after hours and you have done nothing but act and speak respectfully to me. My name is Jean Colbert, professor of the Tristain Academy of Magic. I would greet you properly, miss, but it seems that I have drenched my hands in ink," he said wryly while I smiled in return.
'Jean Colbert, huh? All these names I am encountering sounds more and more like they were based off of real-world people from European history'.
"Mr. Colbert, my name is Setsuna, Familiar of Master Valliere."
"Jean, please call me Jean as you are not a student and appear to be an adult Ms. Setsuna."
"Then please, call me Setsuna."
Before he could continue the conversation, I interrupted him with, "I must apologize once more as I was not certain if you were suffering from the cold in your sleep. When you shivered, I placed my cape over your person in the hope that it would stave off the worst of the temperature."
At pointing out the cape, Jean Colbert turned his head to look at the said cape. He then took it off and began to examine the insignia. As he looked closer, his face began to pale as though he had been presented with a rather unsavory thought.
"Setsuna, although we have not known each other for long, would you answer me honestly," he asked with a shaky voice.
"Of course Jean," I answered having already thought up a way to answer this question.
"Are you a noble?"
"No."
At my answer, Jean looked at me again with that hawk-like precision for a few seconds and nodded his head to himself as he decided that my answer had apparently satisfied whatever criteria he had been looking for. And once again, my combat-enhancing runes began to appear on my screen and then, after some unseen signal, they disappeared. His eyes softened once more and he went back into warm professor mode.
"Thank you for answering my question, Setsuna. Here and thank you for the kind gesture."
I took the cape into my hands and I chose not to put it away into my inventory for fear of blowing my cover with what might appear to be magic. I noted that the cape moved a bit more sluggish like some extra weight had been added, but I chalked it up to magic.
"Your welcome, Jean. It has been a pleasure to speak with you Jean, however, I have my Familiar duties to attend to. By your leave?"
"Of course, of course, don't let me get in your way," he said as he tried to step towards me and escort me out the library like a gentleman.
Tried being the keyword.
Apparently, he misjudged the length of the cape that somehow moved towards him and he tripped, landing on my character, while he tried to regain his balance by grabbing hold of something. Unfortunately, he grabbed two somethings as Jean fell on top of my character.
My screen remained in the same position, but it looked as though Jean Colbert had landed with his head firmly entrenched between Setsuna's breasts and both hands on the mounds in question. Meanwhile, I noticed on my targeting system a mouse called the Panty Peeper squeak and throw its hand in triumph until it noticed that I was looking directly at it and it froze with the deer-in-the-headlights look.
For awhile, nothing happened and no one said anything. I could only look at the screen while I slapped my face, which my character copied.
After some silent signal, Jean Colbert scrambled to get off of Setsuna as he muttered apology after apology with a very red face. Once he had regained his footing, he proceeded to help my character to her feet.
"I am truly sorry about thi...."
I held a hand up and Jean stopped to hear me out, "Jean, it was an accident."
"But I...you see....that is to say....," sputtered a red-faced Colbert.
"Again, it was only an accident, but if you want to make it up to me, would you be willing to have more conversations in the future?"
"I....thank you and I would be honored to have your company in the future," spoke a much more relieved Colbert.
On reading that message, I filed away the knowledge to the back of my mind as I had more imporant things to deal with.
Meanwhile, I noticed Panty Peeper run away from the us, through the entrance, and towards some far away location.
Once I had left Jean's hearing range, I muttered, "Panty Peeper, this means war."
------
"No way that my character can lose track of a mere rat with my hunter-killer build," I muttered as I continued my chase of the Panty Peeper as it was somehow able to use the various nooks and crannies of the castle to the greatest effect. That effect was in evading me with a measure of success that seemed unreal.
Unfortunately, what should have been only a thirty second chase turned into a twenty-five minute long hunt. During this time, I had remembered that the other students in the courtyard had various animals, some mundane while other appeared more, exotic.
"This Panty Peeper must be a Familiar of some kind. If so, then it must be a perverted little freak, have a master that is a perverted big freak, or they are the perverted freak duo," I spoke quietly as I stopped to re-orient Setsuna to the side of the hallway.
I decided that a change in tactics was in order and use of my skills was probably considered reasonable in this instance if my Master were to ever hear word of this. Once again, I tapped into my targeting system and located the Panty Peeper approximately fifteen meters to my left and three meters behind Setsuna near a door entrance, but not quite behind it.
So, I pretended that I had had enough chasing the rat while making sure that I kept Setsuna facing away from said rat. While I began walking, I decided to accidentally 'drop' some Delicious Cake from my inventory. Don't ask me how it stays fresh after spending five years in there as I blame it on gameplay mechanics.
Now some may wonder why I thought that the rat that was supposedly a Familiar might fall for the obvious Cake trap. That was because I suspected that the Panty Peeper was tired, hungry, and desperate after the nearly half an hour of running and near misses for rat and assassin. Luckily for me, I was only playing from a computer and would only suffer from cramped legs, while the rat was probably winded and starving.
"I think it finally got away, guess I'll just have to get back to my Master," I said somewhat loudly as I prepared three Shadow Step variants to chain together and one Pile of Glittering Dust and a Bag of Holding from my inventory.
The reason for having chosen three Shadow Steps was a rather simple one. As fast it was and calling it pseudo-teleportation, I could still be blocked by physical objects and I was not certain just how many Shadow Steps would be needed to catch the rat on steroids.
Once I was far enough in the direction towards Master's room, my targeting system showed that Panty Peeper had started slowly moving in the direction of the Delicious Cake. In the meantime, I began pulling out the Pile of Glittering Dust and the Bag of Holding once I had turned the corner.
I began to count.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Three successive Steps later, I had caught the rat looking up at me wide-eyed as it was just about to take a bite. Suddenly, there was a distant cry of what sounded like an old man in despair.
"IT'S A TRAP! NOOOOOO!"
Ignoring the shout, I dropped the Dust onto Panty Peeper and stuffed the rat into the Bag of Holding without fearing that the rat would die due to the strange game mechanics of keeping objects in the inventory perfectly fine.
"Good riddance," I said as I placed the Delicious Cake back into the inventory and left to pick up some laundry.
While I was on my way to pick up the laundry, I heard some of the passing maids whisper to each other about 'poor Headmaster' and 'gone off his rockers'. However, I still needed to finish my first quest before doing anything else.
------
As I stood outside the door to my Master's room, I was torn between continuing my act as the dutiful servant or possibly changing my role and drop hints and verbal nudges to my Master that could make the game more interesting.
Decision made, I opened the door as quietly as possible and closed it with a quiet 'clicking' sound. Freshly dried laundry in hand, I moved toward where my Master was sound asleep in her bed. For a split second, there was the temptation to use my daggers and end this farce of a Familiar role. However, the thought only lasted for that split second and was banished in favor of the 'wait-and-see' policy in case things became more interesting as time went on.
'Interesting. I will have to look through that list later on for the upgrades.'
So, I took the time to go through my Master's belongings while I took careful note to place the items back in the exact same manner once I was done with my inspection. The most prominent of these were the wand, academic papers, magical books, and the letters from someone called 'Cattleya'.
After reading past the first few lines of the 'Cattleya' letters, I found myself feeling slightly ashamed at having intruded what appeared to be the heartfelt and gut-wrenching pleas of a lonely and depressed young girl trying to put up a brave front. I closed the letters and put them away in order to look at the other items.
It was then that I finally noticed the bale of hay stacked in the corner.
"I guess she expecting some kind of animal. Then again, if Darwin existed in this world, I could be considered a kind of animal," I snorted to myself.
*Mumble, mumble, mumble*
At the sound of the other only human within the room, I turned to see that my Master had shifted around in bed as though she were in the middle of some kind of dream.
*Mumble, mumble, evil has returned, mumble*
"Almost sounds like she's seeing the Factions intro as a dream," I whispered.
Before I was able to do anything else, the first rays of sunlight began to filter from the window. With the command from last night given, I decided to wake up Master with thoughts on my mind of how to make some excitement for myself.
I approached the bed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke softly, "Master Valliere, as commanded, your servant bids you awake."
*Mumble, too early, mumble*
"Master, please do not make me resort to other methods."
At my words, Louise Valliere merely turned away from my person and sunk even deeper into the bed sheets and pillows.
"Very well Master, you have until the count of three."
*Snort, mumble*
"Three."
*Snore*
"Two."
*Mumble*
"One."
Carefully, I reached over her face and pinched her nose and covered her mouth. The effect was nearly immediate. Her eyes bulged open and she flailed her arms about and screamed something about everything petrifying while rolling towards the edge of the bed.
In response to this reaction, I removed my hands and moved to catch Louise before she hit her head on the floor. Once she was secured in my arms, I began to speak to her in the hopes of removing the remaining fogs of sleep from her.
"Master."
"Evil!"
"Master."
"Boom!"
"Master!"
"All is...."
"MASTER!"
"Eeeeekkk!"
After a few seconds of blinking and looking around, Louise turned her head and looked straight at my character's face. Before she could lash out in anger or fear, I began speaking.
"Master, you commanded me to awaken you. Even though you were awake, you were still trapped in whatever dream held your thoughts last night. This person apologizes for taking liberties with your person, however, there was a distinct need to obey and protect as your servant."
More blinking ensued on her part as she digested what I had said. For a while, she would open her mouth and close it back with an audible sound.
At first, it appeared that anger was boiling to the surface in her eyes, but was beaten back down as she began to realize where she was and who was holding her.
She also began to notice that her head was comfortably nestled in my character's chest. At that observation, her face turned quite red and she opened her mouth.
"F-familiar, put me down this instant! It would be the breast, I mean best, if you left the room right now," she squeaked almost sounding like a squirrel.
"As you wish, Master, although I think that it would be for the breast if I put you on your bed first," I teased her with a playful smile on my face and waggled my eyebrows. While I said these words, I placed Louise back onto the bed and put her clean clothing next to her.
"Get out, get out, get ou- famliar, what are those hand marks on your bre- bre-, on your person," she questioned as though she was trying to desperately change the topic.
However, I had already been near the door as she tried to point out the markings on my clothing. I decided to ignore her request as I was also surprised that I had overlooked the ink stains on my clothing and thoughts of my chase with Panty Peeper had taken priority at the time.
"Please dress yourself Master as it is not appropriate for this person ," I said with that same teasing note as I opened the door. "Besides, I fear for my virtue if all you can think of are my breasts!"
"Wha- I am not a child and I am not obsessed with bre- bre- female parts! Get back her Familiar. Familiar!"
I closed the door behind my character and took a quick scan of my surroudings. Once I found that it was clear, I accessed my inventory and changed Setsuna's clothing with a similar one without the ink stains.
Clothing change done, I saved my progress and exited the program.
------
Comments, criticisms, suggestions on how to improve or make better please.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-controlled Assassin
Factions Introduction Cinematic - the dream Louise Valliere had without the titles at the beginning and end.
Chapter Two: And So It Begins
------
For three weeks, I had been unable to access my laptop for any significant portion of time due to the matter of identity theft. Fortunately, the law enforcement had caught the perpetrators as they were attempting to rig one of the gas stations in the area. Unfortunately, all of the credit card companies required me to fill out identity verification forms in triplicate. When I meant forms, I meant at least fifteen pages for each of the ten verification reports.
All in all, I was in a rather sour mood and I had no desire to role-play the subservient, playful Setsuna for those few days that I was busy. If I had played at the time, there would have been a bloodbath.
Now that I was more level-headed, I decided that I should continue my journey in my new game. But first, I was going to head back into the Prophecies version of Guild Wars in order to switch out some of my inventory for the more valuable items I had in my Xunlai Chest. Once that was out of the way, I clicked Void Ascension and re-entered from where I last saved.
Taking a look around, I noticed that everything was still the same and began to check off what I needed for the day with a soft voice.
"New outfits in case there might be another 'incident'?"
"Check."
"Ranged weaponry for dealing with pests?"
"Check."
"More sweets and alcohol to lure unsuspecting fools?"
"Check."
"Specialized armor that looks different from outfits and for plausible deniability for Master?"
"Check."
"Brought 80,000 gold coins for bribery, gambling, whoring, and shopping?"
"Check."
"Looks like Master is still changing or doing whatever she does for her morning ritual aaannd it appears I will be meeting a new NPC or two," I said as I finished my verbal checklist.
Before me, my targeting system helpfully provided the titles to two new characters that were called Lustful Dairy Cow and the Flaming Lizard as they appeared.
I could not help but mutter, "Seriously, what the hell is up with these names?"
"Well, well, well, whateve~r do we have here, hmmmm?"
"Good morning, my lady," I spoke respectfully as I bowed at the waist.
"Oh, you must be that Familiar that the Zero summoned yesterday? Although the familiar is supposed to reflect the master, I think that dear Loui~se could learn a few lessons in respect from you. Stand up and know that you bask in the presence of your Master's better," the Lustful Dairy Cow said as she took a pose that attempted to accentuate her assets, but only appeared to be trying too hard. In response to her statement, I had Setsuna stand up.
"....," was my response as I kept a polite, but distant smile on my face.
"Oh dear, no words for little old me? I suppose that Zero would not have had the manners to properly introdu-"
Before the Lustful Dairy Cow could go any further, the door behind me opened and my Master appeared.
"Kirche, what have you been saying to my servant?!"
"Oh noth~ing!"
"Knowing you, you were probably trying to get her into bed like all of your other boytoys!"
"While I have to complement the figure-hugging outfit, I did not realize that you were trying to live vicariously through your Familiar?"
At the insinuation, Louise grinded her teeth while her face turned redder and redder, to the point that I feared she would have an aneurysm or two.
"Master, if it pleases your person to hear this humble request, would it not be prudent to break your fast as there are classes to attend, are there not," I spoke with a humbled tone, while I text commanded Setsuna to kneel in Louise's direction.
In response to my request, Louise regally nodded her head and began walking in the direction of the dining hall, "Well said Familiar. At least someone around here has their priorities straight."
Without another word, Louise continued her relaxed walk and when we were outside hearing range of the Cow and her Charmander she looked up to me, dragged my character around the corner, and addressed me harshly.
"What was that all about teasing me in the bedroom and the evasion of my question about the state of your clothing," she asked with a furious look on her face that only came off as cute.
However, if I was going to pass this tongue lashing, I was going to need some excuse that sounded legitimate.
BULLSHIT POWERS ACTIVATE!
"Master, did you have a nightmare last night?"
"Wha-, what does that have to do with answering my questions?!"
"Everything, Master."
For a while, Master and Familiar held a staring match.
Seconds ticked by and the deadlock continued while Louise began to fidget in place. Valiant was her attempt as she tried to keep her eyes on Setsuna's. Problem was, while she was looking at my character's eyes, I was merely looking at the inventory and checking just how much money it would take to bribe a few members of the academy staff to act as my eyes and ears.
*Grrrrrr* "Alright, arlight! I had a nightmare, so there," she huffed, turned to the side, and folded her arms with a pout.
"Master, when I waked you, you were not fully aware of your surroundings, even when I resorted to shouting."
"And your point being?"
"I saw eyes clouded by fear and your reaction to your position against my body provided me with the perfect opportunity to focus your fear into anger against my person for the sake of banishing the effects of the nightmare."
"...."
"Master, one of the most important actions to take when transporting patients suffering from moderate to severe injuries is to keep them cognizant of their surroundings. If it takes anger to keep them conscious, then so be it. If it takes calm, soothing words, then that works as well."
"...."
"If my explorations last night were correct, then there would not have been enough time to resort to both the calming method and still leave enough space in your schedule to change clothing, break your fast, and get to your first class for the day."
"....I....suppose that you have a point, Familiar,"Louise said quietly who looked at me with a gratitude in her eyes that she would not say aloud. Once the moment had passed, Louise straightened her shoulders only to droop slightly once more as she asked in a more protective tone.
"Rest assured, Master, no harm was done to my person as I did have a run-in with one of the Academy instructors, a man called Jean Colbert. Do you know him?"
"Yes, but how did those markings happen and how did you clean them up so fast?"
"Master, Mr. Colbert had ink stains from whatever he was working on last night in the library and accidentally fell on me after a rather pesky, lecherous rat had started the incident."
"A lecherous rat, you say," Louise spoke as she zeroed in on that little portion of my explanation with a rather dangerous voice.
"Yes. I suspect that it was not a normal rat as it evaded my capture for the better part of an hour. However, I was able to lure it with some sweets and trap it," I continued quickly in the hope that Louise would forget that I had somehow cleaned my clothing, as though I had done it magically.
"You trapped the Panty Peeper? Oh, Founder bless you!"
At her exclamation, Louise dropped all pretenses of nobility, hugged Setsuna tightly, and looked into her eyes with adoration.
'Huh. Who would have thought that its game title matched its actual title?'
"As grateful as I am for the blessing, I think that we should leave for the dining hall before that dairy cow arrives here to see us in a suggestive embrace."
Louise ignored the embrace part and heard my title for her red-haired mocker and giggled as she let go of me.
"Dairy cow. I like the sound of that."
I wryly responded, "I am glad you like it, Master."
"Now, let us be off for Alviss Dining Hall."
And so, we headed for the dining area where I would receive my first taste of noble hypocrisy in love.
------
As I approached the entrance to the Alviss Dining Hall, I mentally went over what I knew of the layout from my explorations the previous night. I had seen several tables lined up in parallel fashion with their seats perfectly aligned.
Today, I saw that the entire hall was more or less filled with nobles of nearly the entire academy, while the serving staff were moving around serving entrees, removing plates with half-eaten food, offering wine, and any other duty that was normally attributed to commoner servants. I had also learned from my forays into the library that only those with magic could be nobles, Germania being a distinct exception.
"Seen, but not heard," I said under my breath as I followed Louise into the dining hall.
"As you may not know, Familiar, this is the Alviss Dining Hall, where only the best and the brightest may enter for the purpose of enjoying only the highest quality meals as befitting of nobles," Louise spoke proudly as she headed towards a particular seat.
"Thank you Master," I said distractedly because even though I already had this knowledge from the library, some information was better heard from the people themselves and not from reading alone.
"I had originally planned to allow you to dine with myself over there," she said as her hand pointed toward what appeared to be a food container for dogs. "However, in light of new information, I think that it would be more than fair compensation that you should dine next to me."
At her words, I looked my Master in the face with a knowing smile and she returned it with a gleam of laughter in her eyes on her otherwise neutral face.
Fortunately, some of the added text commands from the start of my game had included basic etiquette. I just hoped that they really worked.
Before I took my seat, I pulled out Louise's intended chair and waited until she sat down to push it in as was proper for a servant. She nodded at the gesture appreciatively and sat down. Then, I took my seat next to her as I waited for a meal, even though Setsuna never really needed to eat, it was the polite thing to do.
The camaraderie that was felt between Master and Familiar was broken when a pudgy noble, who had been watching us move towards the tables, pointed out with a loud, snooty voice what he thought was a great injustice.
"Zero, why do you bring a commoner among us?"
At those words, the din of noise that had been present moments ago, lessened significantly, but not completely.
'Ah yes, it would be rude to pay attention to the follies of another, but not impolite to reduce the sound in order to better hear what was going on. Even in this day and age gossip is still ever present'. While I was thinking, Louise merely turned her head to address the origin of the objection with a steady voice that surprised many listeners with its firmness.
"If you must know, this commoner has done a great service to the academy and its denizens and it would be most unbefitting if such an act were not rewarded. After all, is it not the duty of nobles to look out for the welfare of the commoners?"
As she spoke, the pudgy boy merely rolled his eyes and took an affronted look, as though he were chastising a badly behaved child, but only came off as blatantly condescending.
"Ha, as if I would believe that a mere commoner could ever do something for a noble that any noble could not do for themselves! You are just desperate for any commoner that will side with the noble with zero talent!"
At the insult, I immediately whispered to Louise before she could respond,"Please Master, know that he has insulted you because he is jealous that his Familiar is not as capable. Also, look at the way he looks lecherously at me. Remember what your Familiar did last night."
When she turned to look at me, I slightly shook my head in the negative and tried my best to convey through Setsuna's eyes that any return insult would not be worth it. After a few seconds, Louise took a few calming breaths and once more resumed a polite, but neutral look.
"Nothing to say Zero?! I suppose that you are noth-"
"Silence Malicorne," Louise said as though she were imitating a voice of steel that surprised many of the listeners, myself included.
"If you must know, this commoner, performed nothing less than an act that went above and beyond the call of duty. This commoner acted in the best interest of all those who have been greatly distressed by small, furry creatures performing indecent actions."
At this proclamation, a number of the older, female students' eyes widened and others gasped as they began to think about the implications.
"Yes, some of you already begin to understand that this commoner did nothing less than capture the infamous Panty Peeper!"
All pretenses of having fake converstaions stopped and the noise in the hall died at the declaration. Then, one by one, the females within the hall began to slowly clap. A few seconds later and the entire hall was filled with female students and staff cheering and whistling, while a few of them even clapped Setsuna on the back saying things like 'Job well done' or 'If you ever go to town, drinks are on me' and other such congratulations and praises.
Eventually, the ovation ended and all of the previous conversations returned to their previous state when Louise and I had first entered. The noble Malicorne merely huffed in indignation and sulked as he moved his food around his plate like a spoiled child that had his favority toy taken away.
Speaking of food, well let's just say that the female serving staff were very attentive and willing to provide any reasonable request promptly.
On one hand, I felt rather odd for being thanked for chasing down a little rat that had inconvenienced me. On the other, I never truly knew what the women of this place had to endure with such a mischievous and lecherous rat.
"Master, thank you for granting me this opportunity to experience dining with nobles in the Alviss Dining Hall and thank you for correcting my manners," I spoke to Louise, while Setsuna used the etiquette functions to dab a napkin on her face after having finished eating the fifth dessert. All throughout out the meal, Louise had kept an eye on Setsuna and quietly corrected any etiquette mishaps and showing the proper method.
"Your welcome, Familiar," Louise responded with a satisfied smile as she finished off her own dessert and moved to stand up with my help.
"Allow me."
"Thank you, Familiar."
As we were about to leave the dining hall, we both turned our heads to a scene with a maid and a blond noble berating said maid. Nearby, I heard a familiar voice from last night.
"So, how was it with Katie, huh, Guiche?"
"Now, now, you know as well as I that Montmorency alone holds the keys to my heart."
"Horse dung. We all know you've been courting that first year. Tell us, how do you do it? We won't tell your angry girlfriend over there with that maid."
The rest of the conversation was tuned out by me as I looked to said angry girlfriend and maid.
"Siesta," I exclaimed as I remembered her name from last night.
"You know this maid, Familiar," Louise questioned with an eyebrow raised at me.
"Yes, Master. This is the maid that aided me in cleaning your laundry and helped guiide me through the castle."
"I see," Louise said as she bit her lip as her brow furrowed in thought.
"Master, forgive your servant as I cannot allow an innocent be wrongly punished," I said to Louise as I moved to Siesta when I saw that the blond noble was in the process of raising her hand.
"-and you stupid, foolish commoner! Take this for trying such decepti-"
"My apologies, my lady, but I would caution against rash action."
"Who dares to hol-, oh it's you," the blond said as her anger ready to be unleashed, deflated when she realized who she was looking at.
While the blond was speechless, I took the opportunity to understand what was going on.
"Siesta, what is going on here?"
"W-well, you see, I just picked up this perfume bottle that h-had been d-dropped on the floor near Mr. Gramont. When he saw that I had it in my hands, he immediately said that I could keep it as a r-reward for not saying anything when I saw him with another girl. I j-just told Ms. Montmorency the reason for having this perfume bottle that she smelled off of me."
Once she had finished her tale, Siesta began to sniffle quietly, as I moved near her and whispered some soft encouragements. I also used the new text commands to have Setsuna place a comforting arm on Siesta's shoulder.
"My lady," I said as I turned to face Montmorency who had been quietly observing us.
"Please, call me Montmorency. Anyone who can put a stop to that pest is a friend of mine," the blond noble said with conviction.
"Montmorency, I can vouch for this maid's character as upstanding and I do not believe that she would deliberately lie without being put in a position where there is no good answer. I am not saying that you should accept her words at face value, but at least consider the possibility that there is truth to her words."
For a while, Montmorency chewed on her lip as she thought about my words.
Finally coming to a decision, she nodded her head and addressed Siesta and I.
"As you have shown yourself a protector of noble ladies' virtues, I believe that your judgment can be trusted in this matter," Montmorency stated as she faced Setsuna and turned to address Siesta, "Maid, you are most fortunate that there was a respectable person to back up your claim. I do not hold you responsible of thievery. Leave us before I change my mind."
Before Montmorency could say anything, I interrupted her, "Montmorency, I apologize for bringing up more bad news, but last night, I saw Guiche with a girl. Now I am not certain if he was only speaking with her or if he had other plans in mind with his flirting."
My revelation caused Montmorency's face to freeze in shock, while I continued.
"When I moved to pass them under orders from my Master, Guiche attempted to flirt with me and called me a 'mature flower that had bloomed' and attempted to lay a kiss on my hand."
"That....that....how could he....but I thought that I was...."
"Master, I think it is time that we leave," I nudged Louise who had been silent the entire time.
"I agree."
And so we left the dining hall and headed to Louise's first class. Along the way, I watched as a brown-haired girl ran past us in tears.
'I really hope that Guiche gets what's coming to him'.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are all welcome so that I will, hopefully improve.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
------
For three weeks, I had been unable to access my laptop for any significant portion of time due to the matter of identity theft. Fortunately, the law enforcement had caught the perpetrators as they were attempting to rig one of the gas stations in the area. Unfortunately, all of the credit card companies required me to fill out identity verification forms in triplicate. When I meant forms, I meant at least fifteen pages for each of the ten verification reports.
All in all, I was in a rather sour mood and I had no desire to role-play the subservient, playful Setsuna for those few days that I was busy. If I had played at the time, there would have been a bloodbath.
Now that I was more level-headed, I decided that I should continue my journey in my new game. But first, I was going to head back into the Prophecies version of Guild Wars in order to switch out some of my inventory for the more valuable items I had in my Xunlai Chest. Once that was out of the way, I clicked Void Ascension and re-entered from where I last saved.
Taking a look around, I noticed that everything was still the same and began to check off what I needed for the day with a soft voice.
"New outfits in case there might be another 'incident'?"
"Check."
"Ranged weaponry for dealing with pests?"
"Check."
"More sweets and alcohol to lure unsuspecting fools?"
"Check."
"Specialized armor that looks different from outfits and for plausible deniability for Master?"
"Check."
"Brought 80,000 gold coins for bribery, gambling, whoring, and shopping?"
"Check."
"Looks like Master is still changing or doing whatever she does for her morning ritual aaannd it appears I will be meeting a new NPC or two," I said as I finished my verbal checklist.
Before me, my targeting system helpfully provided the titles to two new characters that were called Lustful Dairy Cow and the Flaming Lizard as they appeared.
I could not help but mutter, "Seriously, what the hell is up with these names?"
"Well, well, well, whateve~r do we have here, hmmmm?"
"Good morning, my lady," I spoke respectfully as I bowed at the waist.
"Oh, you must be that Familiar that the Zero summoned yesterday? Although the familiar is supposed to reflect the master, I think that dear Loui~se could learn a few lessons in respect from you. Stand up and know that you bask in the presence of your Master's better," the Lustful Dairy Cow said as she took a pose that attempted to accentuate her assets, but only appeared to be trying too hard. In response to her statement, I had Setsuna stand up.
"....," was my response as I kept a polite, but distant smile on my face.
"Oh dear, no words for little old me? I suppose that Zero would not have had the manners to properly introdu-"
Before the Lustful Dairy Cow could go any further, the door behind me opened and my Master appeared.
"Kirche, what have you been saying to my servant?!"
"Oh noth~ing!"
"Knowing you, you were probably trying to get her into bed like all of your other boytoys!"
"While I have to complement the figure-hugging outfit, I did not realize that you were trying to live vicariously through your Familiar?"
At the insinuation, Louise grinded her teeth while her face turned redder and redder, to the point that I feared she would have an aneurysm or two.
"Master, if it pleases your person to hear this humble request, would it not be prudent to break your fast as there are classes to attend, are there not," I spoke with a humbled tone, while I text commanded Setsuna to kneel in Louise's direction.
In response to my request, Louise regally nodded her head and began walking in the direction of the dining hall, "Well said Familiar. At least someone around here has their priorities straight."
Without another word, Louise continued her relaxed walk and when we were outside hearing range of the Cow and her Charmander she looked up to me, dragged my character around the corner, and addressed me harshly.
"What was that all about teasing me in the bedroom and the evasion of my question about the state of your clothing," she asked with a furious look on her face that only came off as cute.
However, if I was going to pass this tongue lashing, I was going to need some excuse that sounded legitimate.
BULLSHIT POWERS ACTIVATE!
"Master, did you have a nightmare last night?"
"Wha-, what does that have to do with answering my questions?!"
"Everything, Master."
For a while, Master and Familiar held a staring match.
Seconds ticked by and the deadlock continued while Louise began to fidget in place. Valiant was her attempt as she tried to keep her eyes on Setsuna's. Problem was, while she was looking at my character's eyes, I was merely looking at the inventory and checking just how much money it would take to bribe a few members of the academy staff to act as my eyes and ears.
*Grrrrrr* "Alright, arlight! I had a nightmare, so there," she huffed, turned to the side, and folded her arms with a pout.
"Master, when I waked you, you were not fully aware of your surroundings, even when I resorted to shouting."
"And your point being?"
"I saw eyes clouded by fear and your reaction to your position against my body provided me with the perfect opportunity to focus your fear into anger against my person for the sake of banishing the effects of the nightmare."
"...."
"Master, one of the most important actions to take when transporting patients suffering from moderate to severe injuries is to keep them cognizant of their surroundings. If it takes anger to keep them conscious, then so be it. If it takes calm, soothing words, then that works as well."
"...."
"If my explorations last night were correct, then there would not have been enough time to resort to both the calming method and still leave enough space in your schedule to change clothing, break your fast, and get to your first class for the day."
"....I....suppose that you have a point, Familiar,"Louise said quietly who looked at me with a gratitude in her eyes that she would not say aloud. Once the moment had passed, Louise straightened her shoulders only to droop slightly once more as she asked in a more protective tone.
"Still, what were those markings on your clothing? Did....did anyone hurt you?"
"Rest assured, Master, no harm was done to my person as I did have a run-in with one of the Academy instructors, a man called Jean Colbert. Do you know him?"
"Yes, but how did those markings happen and how did you clean them up so fast?"
"Master, Mr. Colbert had ink stains from whatever he was working on last night in the library and accidentally fell on me after a rather pesky, lecherous rat had started the incident."
"A lecherous rat, you say," Louise spoke as she zeroed in on that little portion of my explanation with a rather dangerous voice.
"Yes. I suspect that it was not a normal rat as it evaded my capture for the better part of an hour. However, I was able to lure it with some sweets and trap it," I continued quickly in the hope that Louise would forget that I had somehow cleaned my clothing, as though I had done it magically.
"You trapped the Panty Peeper? Oh, Founder bless you!"
At her exclamation, Louise dropped all pretenses of nobility, hugged Setsuna tightly, and looked into her eyes with adoration.
'Huh. Who would have thought that its game title matched its actual title?'
"As grateful as I am for the blessing, I think that we should leave for the dining hall before that dairy cow arrives here to see us in a suggestive embrace."
Louise ignored the embrace part and heard my title for her red-haired mocker and giggled as she let go of me.
"Dairy cow. I like the sound of that."
I wryly responded, "I am glad you like it, Master."
"Now, let us be off for Alviss Dining Hall."
And so, we headed for the dining area where I would receive my first taste of noble hypocrisy in love.
------
As I approached the entrance to the Alviss Dining Hall, I mentally went over what I knew of the layout from my explorations the previous night. I had seen several tables lined up in parallel fashion with their seats perfectly aligned.
Today, I saw that the entire hall was more or less filled with nobles of nearly the entire academy, while the serving staff were moving around serving entrees, removing plates with half-eaten food, offering wine, and any other duty that was normally attributed to commoner servants. I had also learned from my forays into the library that only those with magic could be nobles, Germania being a distinct exception.
"Seen, but not heard," I said under my breath as I followed Louise into the dining hall.
"As you may not know, Familiar, this is the Alviss Dining Hall, where only the best and the brightest may enter for the purpose of enjoying only the highest quality meals as befitting of nobles," Louise spoke proudly as she headed towards a particular seat.
"Thank you Master," I said distractedly because even though I already had this knowledge from the library, some information was better heard from the people themselves and not from reading alone.
"I had originally planned to allow you to dine with myself over there," she said as her hand pointed toward what appeared to be a food container for dogs. "However, in light of new information, I think that it would be more than fair compensation that you should dine next to me."
At her words, I looked my Master in the face with a knowing smile and she returned it with a gleam of laughter in her eyes on her otherwise neutral face.
Fortunately, some of the added text commands from the start of my game had included basic etiquette. I just hoped that they really worked.
Before I took my seat, I pulled out Louise's intended chair and waited until she sat down to push it in as was proper for a servant. She nodded at the gesture appreciatively and sat down. Then, I took my seat next to her as I waited for a meal, even though Setsuna never really needed to eat, it was the polite thing to do.
The camaraderie that was felt between Master and Familiar was broken when a pudgy noble, who had been watching us move towards the tables, pointed out with a loud, snooty voice what he thought was a great injustice.
"Zero, why do you bring a commoner among us?"
At those words, the din of noise that had been present moments ago, lessened significantly, but not completely.
'Ah yes, it would be rude to pay attention to the follies of another, but not impolite to reduce the sound in order to better hear what was going on. Even in this day and age gossip is still ever present'. While I was thinking, Louise merely turned her head to address the origin of the objection with a steady voice that surprised many listeners with its firmness.
"If you must know, this commoner has done a great service to the academy and its denizens and it would be most unbefitting if such an act were not rewarded. After all, is it not the duty of nobles to look out for the welfare of the commoners?"
As she spoke, the pudgy boy merely rolled his eyes and took an affronted look, as though he were chastising a badly behaved child, but only came off as blatantly condescending.
"Ha, as if I would believe that a mere commoner could ever do something for a noble that any noble could not do for themselves! You are just desperate for any commoner that will side with the noble with zero talent!"
At the insult, I immediately whispered to Louise before she could respond,"Please Master, know that he has insulted you because he is jealous that his Familiar is not as capable. Also, look at the way he looks lecherously at me. Remember what your Familiar did last night."
When she turned to look at me, I slightly shook my head in the negative and tried my best to convey through Setsuna's eyes that any return insult would not be worth it. After a few seconds, Louise took a few calming breaths and once more resumed a polite, but neutral look.
"Nothing to say Zero?! I suppose that you are noth-"
"Silence Malicorne," Louise said as though she were imitating a voice of steel that surprised many of the listeners, myself included.
"If you must know, this commoner, performed nothing less than an act that went above and beyond the call of duty. This commoner acted in the best interest of all those who have been greatly distressed by small, furry creatures performing indecent actions."
At this proclamation, a number of the older, female students' eyes widened and others gasped as they began to think about the implications.
"Yes, some of you already begin to understand that this commoner did nothing less than capture the infamous Panty Peeper!"
All pretenses of having fake converstaions stopped and the noise in the hall died at the declaration. Then, one by one, the females within the hall began to slowly clap. A few seconds later and the entire hall was filled with female students and staff cheering and whistling, while a few of them even clapped Setsuna on the back saying things like 'Job well done' or 'If you ever go to town, drinks are on me' and other such congratulations and praises.
Hidden underneath all the sounds of celebration was one old man weeping as he took several swigs straight from a wine bottle, while muttering all the while about 'No more wonderful panties'. Beside him, Colbert was awkwardly patting him on the back and looking at his fellow teachers for help as said teachers had left him with the only seat next to the old man.
Eventually, the ovation ended and all of the previous conversations returned to their previous state when Louise and I had first entered. The noble Malicorne merely huffed in indignation and sulked as he moved his food around his plate like a spoiled child that had his favority toy taken away.
Speaking of food, well let's just say that the female serving staff were very attentive and willing to provide any reasonable request promptly.
On one hand, I felt rather odd for being thanked for chasing down a little rat that had inconvenienced me. On the other, I never truly knew what the women of this place had to endure with such a mischievous and lecherous rat.
"Master, thank you for granting me this opportunity to experience dining with nobles in the Alviss Dining Hall and thank you for correcting my manners," I spoke to Louise, while Setsuna used the etiquette functions to dab a napkin on her face after having finished eating the fifth dessert. All throughout out the meal, Louise had kept an eye on Setsuna and quietly corrected any etiquette mishaps and showing the proper method.
"Your welcome, Familiar," Louise responded with a satisfied smile as she finished off her own dessert and moved to stand up with my help.
"Allow me."
"Thank you, Familiar."
As we were about to leave the dining hall, we both turned our heads to a scene with a maid and a blond noble berating said maid. Nearby, I heard a familiar voice from last night.
"So, how was it with Katie, huh, Guiche?"
"Now, now, you know as well as I that Montmorency alone holds the keys to my heart."
"Horse dung. We all know you've been courting that first year. Tell us, how do you do it? We won't tell your angry girlfriend over there with that maid."
The rest of the conversation was tuned out by me as I looked to said angry girlfriend and maid.
"Siesta," I exclaimed as I remembered her name from last night.
"You know this maid, Familiar," Louise questioned with an eyebrow raised at me.
"Yes, Master. This is the maid that aided me in cleaning your laundry and helped guiide me through the castle."
"I see," Louise said as she bit her lip as her brow furrowed in thought.
"Master, forgive your servant as I cannot allow an innocent be wrongly punished," I said to Louise as I moved to Siesta when I saw that the blond noble was in the process of raising her hand.
"-and you stupid, foolish commoner! Take this for trying such decepti-"
"My apologies, my lady, but I would caution against rash action."
"Who dares to hol-, oh it's you," the blond said as her anger ready to be unleashed, deflated when she realized who she was looking at.
While the blond was speechless, I took the opportunity to understand what was going on.
"Siesta, what is going on here?"
"W-well, you see, I just picked up this perfume bottle that h-had been d-dropped on the floor near Mr. Gramont. When he saw that I had it in my hands, he immediately said that I could keep it as a r-reward for not saying anything when I saw him with another girl. I j-just told Ms. Montmorency the reason for having this perfume bottle that she smelled off of me."
Once she had finished her tale, Siesta began to sniffle quietly, as I moved near her and whispered some soft encouragements. I also used the new text commands to have Setsuna place a comforting arm on Siesta's shoulder.
"My lady," I said as I turned to face Montmorency who had been quietly observing us.
"Please, call me Montmorency. Anyone who can put a stop to that pest is a friend of mine," the blond noble said with conviction.
"Montmorency, I can vouch for this maid's character as upstanding and I do not believe that she would deliberately lie without being put in a position where there is no good answer. I am not saying that you should accept her words at face value, but at least consider the possibility that there is truth to her words."
For a while, Montmorency chewed on her lip as she thought about my words.
Finally coming to a decision, she nodded her head and addressed Siesta and I.
"As you have shown yourself a protector of noble ladies' virtues, I believe that your judgment can be trusted in this matter," Montmorency stated as she faced Setsuna and turned to address Siesta, "Maid, you are most fortunate that there was a respectable person to back up your claim. I do not hold you responsible of thievery. Leave us before I change my mind."
At that, Siesta broke out of my grasp and hurried out of the dining hall.
Before Montmorency could say anything, I interrupted her, "Montmorency, I apologize for bringing up more bad news, but last night, I saw Guiche with a girl. Now I am not certain if he was only speaking with her or if he had other plans in mind with his flirting."
My revelation caused Montmorency's face to freeze in shock, while I continued.
"When I moved to pass them under orders from my Master, Guiche attempted to flirt with me and called me a 'mature flower that had bloomed' and attempted to lay a kiss on my hand."
"That....that....how could he....but I thought that I was...."
With no maid to vent her anger and frustration, Montmorency stormed toward Guiche to give him a piece of her mind.
"Master, I think it is time that we leave," I nudged Louise who had been silent the entire time.
"I agree."
And so we left the dining hall and headed to Louise's first class. Along the way, I watched as a brown-haired girl ran past us in tears.
'I really hope that Guiche gets what's coming to him'.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are all welcome so that I will, hopefully improve.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
Chapter Two, Part Two: And So It Begins
------
For awhile, I was rather content to walk with Louise in silence. For her, it may have been comfortable and satisfying to have enjoyed what happened earlier.
'After all, the actions of the Familiar reflect the Master and if I am responsible for dealing with that damn rat, then, by association, I guess she gets the credit'.
And so we were walking towards Louise' first class, when I had a few questions for the girl as I had begun forming some plans in my head that would not go well if she were to need my 'protection' as it was one of the duties of the Familiar.
"Master, does Mr. Gramont share a class with you?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Well, I am afraid that Mr. Gramont will try to hurt you after he finds out that I was responsible for letting Montmorency loose on him. Will you be safe?"
*chuckles*"I suppose that might be true, but fear not as I am made of sterner stuff."
"If you are certain master, I -," I would have continued my conversation when suddenly a message appeared on screen:
"I am sorry Master, but it appears staying up all night has taken its toll on my body and I am now feeling its effects," I blatantly lied while text commanding Setsuna to give a sheepish gesture. However, I knew that Setsuna never needed to sleep and I could always conveniently save my progress before continuing anyway.
At my response, Louise gave me one of those looks after having rolled her eyes and muttering something about 'stupid Familiar'.
"While I commend you on your dedication, I believe that I can survive going to class for the day. Right now, I want you to rest. You do remember where the room is correct?"
"Yes, Master. Now please, do not be late on my account," while leaving out what I was saying yes to as she watched my character leave in the direction of her room.
------
After having asked the passing maids, I discovered that Siesta was in the kitchen.
At the entrance, if I could only smell the various foods cooking, I might have been in heaven. As it were, I merely took in the view appreciatively as the various cooking staff members worked around their stations smoothly like a well-oiled machine.
"Now, where is that maid," I said, not realizing that a rather muscular man overheard me and had somehow managed to sneak close enough without alerting my targeting system.
"What would a noble want here?" questioned the muscular chef who was gazing at Setsuna with a stern gaze.
"Wha-, who are you?" I asked as I had been genuinely surprised that someone could sneak up on me, considering my class build.
"I asked you a question if you did not hear me the first time. Who. Are. You?"
"Setsuna!" cried a familar voice. "Marteau, please do not scare the one who protected me." At those words, the one named Marteau deflated slightly and went back to whatever he was doing, while he grumbled about this or that.
"Please do not mind Marteau. He only means well, especially when the nobles start acting up around the staff," Siesta said as she took my character's left hand and led her to one of the corner stations where there were two available stools.
"Setsuna," whispered Siesta as soon as we were seated. "Are you really a noble?"
"No, Siesta. I have never been a noble. I may have defended nobles in the past as part of my job that we spoke of last night. Besides, what brought up this question?" I asked as I did not remember when anyone coul- oh, now that I thought about it, I had been rather reckless in my use of the Shadow Steps to chase down that rat.
While I was busy with my thoughts, Siesta furrowed her eyebrows as though she were trying to connect two plus two but only got forty-two.
"Setsuna," whispered Siesta. "Marlene claimed that she saw someone wearing your clothing using some kind of strange magic to move from one location to another. But that could not be true because she also claimed that there were ink stains on your chest, when there is clearly nothing there. Besides, I can't think of any nobles willing to clean the clothing of a commoner with magic, right?"
"You are correct Siesta. You were there. You know what I am wearing right now, correct?"
"Yes, so it doesn't make sense."
At that, I merely smiled, "Siesta don't worry your pretty little head. Anyway, I just came by to check up on you."
"On me?"
"Yes, I mean we are friends, right?"
"Friends?" asked Siesta who then warmly smiled. "Yes, I like the sound of that. So, yes we're friends. And to answer your question. I am alright. Just a little nervous is all. But nothing that a good meal and an even better nights rest can't heal."
"Good to hear, Siesta. Well, I ho-
"Setsuna? Are you alright?" Siesta stood up to provide assistance when my character suddenly froze up.
"Nothing. I just need some rest since I haven't had any sleep since cleaning the laundry," I lied as I immediately minimized the message and put up the blocker before I received anymore that interrupted my gaming experience.
*gasp*"Oh, you poor dear. You should go to bed then. Enough worrying about me. Just go and take care of yourself. I swear, you nearly me scared me there like that one time my brother froze up and start shaking like he had been possessed," Siesta said while she stood with her hands on her hips.
"Yes mother," I teased back at Siesta who only responded by sticking her tongue out at my character.
And so, I headed for the dormitories.
-------
Once I arrived outside the correct room, I opened the door, entered, and closed it behind me. Immediately, I proceeded to use my targeting system to see if there were any people, familiars, or remote viewing devices within.
At first, I remembered that I had received two messages not too long ago from some of my friends, acquaintances, and allies.
"Let's see if I can get those idiots to back off for now," I chuckled as I removed the message blocker and saw that I had now a total of 41 messages from various sources.
I pressed 'send message' after having written a blanket response, but only received the error message of 'Voidhaxx Pwns You'. I pressed 'send message' again and received the same result.
And again.
And again.
So, I decided to log off Void Ascension and log into Prophecies. Once there, I was able to communicate freely with my fellow players. Long story short, I assured them that I was alright and that I was pre-occupied with another game.
I debated telling them about Void Ascension, however, I was still not sure if I had been the target of some kind of virus, trojan, or other malicious program and I did not want to inadvertently expose any of them. I had already run my entire system through several reboots, virus scans, and even a few reinstalls of my OS and everything else. Despite these measures, Void Ascension remained whenever I installed Guild Wars.
Call me foolish or idiotic, but one thing I hated was not understanding what I was dealing with. I tended to refuse any outside help until I could figure out what I had done wrong and what I could have done better.
So, I logged back into the new game I had and proceeded to figure out the details of all of these bonus skills I had been granted since Setsuna had been kissed by Louise.
"Well, let's see. Time to find out about all those skills I gained over the past few playthroughs."
It was then that I pulled up the skills screen together with the quests list beside it.
"Time to look at those skills. Let's see which one I want to view in greater detail. Hmmmm....might as well go for the first skill Setsuna gained when Louise kissed her."
....
"Well."
"Shit. Talk about overpowered. I just got hit with the mother of all steroids into my build and it's only at level one," I said as I only stared in shock at what had been granted to my character.
"And only minor increased range for the Shadow Steps. I was jumping at least a dozen times further than I normally do!"
Okay, calming breaths, calming breaths.
After all, it was not every day I just learned that my Assassin effectively became a sneaky tank.
"I will just have to see what Level 2 is like later on."
"Man, talk about boosts. And 30 drinks?! That is going to be a big pain in the butt considering just how hard I've been roleplaying as a semi-serious Familiar who is gaining the reputation as upstanding. Not to mention just how much it costs to buy one of those drinks when it's not a seasonal holiday in Guild Wars."
I smiled wryly at the thought of what the NPC's would think at seeing a very tipsy Setsuna.
"You shee itsh forsh regen....regene....whasheverish to get more badashy *hic* againsh!"
*facepalm* "Oh Founder, I thought that I had the perfect Familiar, but instead she was only hiding her alcoholic addiction. Just what other vices does she have?!
"We~ll Zero, does this mean you are a drunkard as well, hmmmm?"
"Shut up, Zerbst."
In the background of the growing, verbal fight, Setsuna falls over with swirls in her eyes.
At that mental image of a possible future encounter, I could not help but give out a few snickers. Once I had calmed down, I went ahead and close the skill file on the Left Hand of God.
"Well, let's see about the next skill."
....
Once again, I was speechless for just how radically different these skills were from what I was accustomed to in the other Guild Wars games.
Before I could go on, I heard a sound that showed a cell phone text about an emergency meeting at work.
"Well, I'll get back to this later," I muttered as saved my progress, removed the disc, and left for work.
------
Long story short, I proceeded to look over every stat, achievement, and skill that I had ever gained through completing certain events or avoiding others completely.
However, boredom soon set in and I began to talk aloud after checking my targeting system to make sure that no one was eavesdropping on Setsuna.
"Guess I have the rest of the day to myself since Louise will be stuck in classes for some time and Siesta still thinks that I need rest."
"That also rules out Jean since he will probably be teaching."
After ruling out any people I could speak with, a rather interesting grin appeared on my face.
"That means I can properly explore this world like any proper adventurer."
Immediately, I went about checking my targeting system and making sure that no one was in the vicinity and no one was scrying on my position. Once done, I had my character change clothing into a costume. Specifically the Shining Blade Uniform which showed a hint of cleavage and conveniently provided a hood to cover myself.
At the change, I had Setsuna approach the window of the room. Making sure that there was no one in the courtyard, I prepared a series of Shadow Steps to move rapidly from the Academy to the capital of this country that Siesta had once described during our first conversation.
Fortunately, there were no incidents along the way.
Clothing such as mine would probably appear to be a member of some kind of town watch or a noble man-at-arms with its purple coloring.
Inside the city, I had Setsuna explore the various shops and listen to the various vendors and shopkeepers.
"On sale today, fresh fish straight from the waters! Come and get them!"
"Three for one deals! Buy three dresses at the price of one before they're sold out!"
"You there, young lady! You look like a good judge of clothing! Come inside and see the finest that Joan's has to offer!"
"Weapons sales only today! Daggers, swords, bucklers, rapiers!"
"Fresh pastries from our ovens!"
And on and on with the sales pitches as Setsuna walked through the markets.
Occassionaly, I had Setsuna approach a few vendors to find out what they were selling.
Some were intimidated by Setsuna's clothing because of how fine the threadwork was for fear that their normal sales pitch would offend someone from a high rank or noble status. Others, not so much.
"Foreign noble! I am Germanian and know good warrior when I see one," boomed the heavily accented, burly man as he looked straight into my character's eyes.
"Oh. And what could you possibly offer for me, hmmm?"
"You have look of one who has seen war and could use good potion ingredients and potions."
"And these ingredients and potions would help me? I suppose I will have to see for myself."
"Yes, yes, come inside and know that Ludwig does not cheat good fellow warrior," spoke Ludwig the Germanian merchant before he continued in a hushed voice,"Unless you are bastard Tristain noble."
"I see. I suppose I will look at your wares good sir."
"No sir. Just Ludwig. And your name Fraulein?"
*laughter* "You presume much, Ludwig."
At my accusation, Ludwig only grinned broadly as the word Fraulein usually implied that the woman in question was single.
"By the way, please call me Hangaku Gozen."
"Hmmmm...." said Ludwig as he rubbed his chin with his eyes closed in thought. After some unseen signal, Ludwig opened his eyes and grinned broadly, "I like it. Good warrior name for good warrior."
Once again I laughed as I responded, "You have no idea, Ludwig."
Some of the potions ingredients could have been straight out of a fantasy novel as they were newt's eyes, rabbits' feet, and many others.
Others were more practical, like the potions themselves. Minor healing, heat tolerance potions, hangover draughts, poison remedies, and etc.
"Well Ludwig, I do not exactly have a use for many of these items just yet. However, I would like a few of those general healing potions."
"Good, good. And how many, Fraulein?"
"Make it twenty, Ludwig."
"Twenty it is. And your total comes to five gold. Normally, I charge ten, but you not bastard Tristain. So you get good deal."
"Thank you Ludwig."
"Your welcome."
That message gave me an idea. After all, it had said foreigners, not foreigner. Stupidity or rashness, I wanted some action to get my character to level up quickly and I had a feeling that this would help some of the plans I had been thinking about earlier.
Namely, the kind of plans that involved establishing an economic foothold for my own purposes.
"Ludwig, would you happen to know other foreigners who are around the area?"
"Why yes, Fraulein. I know others just like us. You seek to find companionship?" Ludwig said suggestively while he waggled his eyebrows.
*snort*"Hardly, Ludwig. Just want to see if there are any people who have similar attitudes about Tristain nobles and such. Especially those who are not exactly happy with the current situation."
"Hmmmmm....will cost much money to contact these people you have in mind."
"How much, Ludwig?"
"Afraid Fraulein does not have enough."
"I thought you were going to say that." At his words, several hundred gold coins appeared after I removed the gold from the inventory and had them appear before Ludwig. At the amount of gold on the counter, the wood began to creek slightly at the sheer weight, while Ludwig's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets at the sheer number of coins.
"I trust that this will be enough to contact these 'unhappy' people?"
....
"Ludwig?"
....
"Ludwig?"
"....yes. That will be more than enough," Ludwig said.
"Good Ludwig. When can I expect results?"
"Come back tomorrow. Wear same clothing so can tell you are you, Fraulein. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
What was already implied was the need for silence. Then again, Ludwig did think that I was a foreigner like him and thought that I might have had my share of troubles with the locals.
On the agreement, I had my character leave the shop and explore the rest of the capital.
The rest of the day passed without much fanfare as I thought about what I was getting involved in.
When the sun was in midday position, I had Setsuna return to the academy using a zig-zag route and re-entered the open window of Louise' room.
Once there, I saved my progress and left the game to grab some lunch.
------
Sorry for the delay. Had to deal with real life issues. Anyway, hope that this is enough of an apology as I will be gone for some time to visit family halfway across the globe.
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, Suggestions.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
------
'Well now, those are rather interesting. Guess I'll just have to find some time alone that I can practice those skills. Can't make heads or tales on that Montmorency Route'.
For awhile, I was rather content to walk with Louise in silence. For her, it may have been comfortable and satisfying to have enjoyed what happened earlier.
'After all, the actions of the Familiar reflect the Master and if I am responsible for dealing with that damn rat, then, by association, I guess she gets the credit'.
And so we were walking towards Louise' first class, when I had a few questions for the girl as I had begun forming some plans in my head that would not go well if she were to need my 'protection' as it was one of the duties of the Familiar.
"Master, does Mr. Gramont share a class with you?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Well, I am afraid that Mr. Gramont will try to hurt you after he finds out that I was responsible for letting Montmorency loose on him. Will you be safe?"
*chuckles*"I suppose that might be true, but fear not as I am made of sterner stuff."
"If you are certain master, I -," I would have continued my conversation when suddenly a message appeared on screen:
"Familiar. Familiar. What is wrong with you Familiar," Louise asked as she looked worriedly at my character.To Sets-chan of Clan DMC:
Where've you been????
Haven't seen you in ages. Just had major LEEROY JENKINS FUBAR!}p
Should've been there!
Don't be a stranger now.
Mangochild of Clan NutBusters
"I am sorry Master, but it appears staying up all night has taken its toll on my body and I am now feeling its effects," I blatantly lied while text commanding Setsuna to give a sheepish gesture. However, I knew that Setsuna never needed to sleep and I could always conveniently save my progress before continuing anyway.
At my response, Louise gave me one of those looks after having rolled her eyes and muttering something about 'stupid Familiar'.
"While I commend you on your dedication, I believe that I can survive going to class for the day. Right now, I want you to rest. You do remember where the room is correct?"
"Yes, Master. Now please, do not be late on my account," while leaving out what I was saying yes to as she watched my character leave in the direction of her room.
------
After having asked the passing maids, I discovered that Siesta was in the kitchen.
At the entrance, if I could only smell the various foods cooking, I might have been in heaven. As it were, I merely took in the view appreciatively as the various cooking staff members worked around their stations smoothly like a well-oiled machine.
"Now, where is that maid," I said, not realizing that a rather muscular man overheard me and had somehow managed to sneak close enough without alerting my targeting system.
"What would a noble want here?" questioned the muscular chef who was gazing at Setsuna with a stern gaze.
"Wha-, who are you?" I asked as I had been genuinely surprised that someone could sneak up on me, considering my class build.
"I asked you a question if you did not hear me the first time. Who. Are. You?"
"Setsuna!" cried a familar voice. "Marteau, please do not scare the one who protected me." At those words, the one named Marteau deflated slightly and went back to whatever he was doing, while he grumbled about this or that.
"Please do not mind Marteau. He only means well, especially when the nobles start acting up around the staff," Siesta said as she took my character's left hand and led her to one of the corner stations where there were two available stools.
"Setsuna," whispered Siesta as soon as we were seated. "Are you really a noble?"
"No, Siesta. I have never been a noble. I may have defended nobles in the past as part of my job that we spoke of last night. Besides, what brought up this question?" I asked as I did not remember when anyone coul- oh, now that I thought about it, I had been rather reckless in my use of the Shadow Steps to chase down that rat.
While I was busy with my thoughts, Siesta furrowed her eyebrows as though she were trying to connect two plus two but only got forty-two.
"Setsuna," whispered Siesta. "Marlene claimed that she saw someone wearing your clothing using some kind of strange magic to move from one location to another. But that could not be true because she also claimed that there were ink stains on your chest, when there is clearly nothing there. Besides, I can't think of any nobles willing to clean the clothing of a commoner with magic, right?"
"You are correct Siesta. You were there. You know what I am wearing right now, correct?"
"Yes, so it doesn't make sense."
At that, I merely smiled, "Siesta don't worry your pretty little head. Anyway, I just came by to check up on you."
"On me?"
"Yes, I mean we are friends, right?"
"Friends?" asked Siesta who then warmly smiled. "Yes, I like the sound of that. So, yes we're friends. And to answer your question. I am alright. Just a little nervous is all. But nothing that a good meal and an even better nights rest can't heal."
"Good to hear, Siesta. Well, I ho-
"Damn it!"To Sets-chan of Clan DMC:
HHHEEEEEELLLLLLLOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Please respond.
We need your help! We need our dedicated specialist now! We are getting shafted!
Mangochild of Clan NutBusters
"Setsuna? Are you alright?" Siesta stood up to provide assistance when my character suddenly froze up.
"Nothing. I just need some rest since I haven't had any sleep since cleaning the laundry," I lied as I immediately minimized the message and put up the blocker before I received anymore that interrupted my gaming experience.
*gasp*"Oh, you poor dear. You should go to bed then. Enough worrying about me. Just go and take care of yourself. I swear, you nearly me scared me there like that one time my brother froze up and start shaking like he had been possessed," Siesta said while she stood with her hands on her hips.
"Yes mother," I teased back at Siesta who only responded by sticking her tongue out at my character.
And so, I headed for the dormitories.
-------
Once I arrived outside the correct room, I opened the door, entered, and closed it behind me. Immediately, I proceeded to use my targeting system to see if there were any people, familiars, or remote viewing devices within.
At first, I remembered that I had received two messages not too long ago from some of my friends, acquaintances, and allies.
"Let's see if I can get those idiots to back off for now," I chuckled as I removed the message blocker and saw that I had now a total of 41 messages from various sources.
I pressed 'send message' after having written a blanket response, but only received the error message of 'Voidhaxx Pwns You'. I pressed 'send message' again and received the same result.
And again.
And again.
So, I decided to log off Void Ascension and log into Prophecies. Once there, I was able to communicate freely with my fellow players. Long story short, I assured them that I was alright and that I was pre-occupied with another game.
For the most part, they were accepting of the fact that I was busy because I was known to go offline for weeks at a time due to work, family, and other problems whenever real life intruded in my game time.
I debated telling them about Void Ascension, however, I was still not sure if I had been the target of some kind of virus, trojan, or other malicious program and I did not want to inadvertently expose any of them. I had already run my entire system through several reboots, virus scans, and even a few reinstalls of my OS and everything else. Despite these measures, Void Ascension remained whenever I installed Guild Wars.
Call me foolish or idiotic, but one thing I hated was not understanding what I was dealing with. I tended to refuse any outside help until I could figure out what I had done wrong and what I could have done better.
So, I logged back into the new game I had and proceeded to figure out the details of all of these bonus skills I had been granted since Setsuna had been kissed by Louise.
"Well, let's see. Time to find out about all those skills I gained over the past few playthroughs."
It was then that I pulled up the skills screen together with the quests list beside it.
"Time to look at those skills. Let's see which one I want to view in greater detail. Hmmmm....might as well go for the first skill Setsuna gained when Louise kissed her."
....
....
"Well."
"Shit. Talk about overpowered. I just got hit with the mother of all steroids into my build and it's only at level one," I said as I only stared in shock at what had been granted to my character.
"And only minor increased range for the Shadow Steps. I was jumping at least a dozen times further than I normally do!"
Okay, calming breaths, calming breaths.
After all, it was not every day I just learned that my Assassin effectively became a sneaky tank.
"I will just have to see what Level 2 is like later on."
"Man, talk about boosts. And 30 drinks?! That is going to be a big pain in the butt considering just how hard I've been roleplaying as a semi-serious Familiar who is gaining the reputation as upstanding. Not to mention just how much it costs to buy one of those drinks when it's not a seasonal holiday in Guild Wars."
I smiled wryly at the thought of what the NPC's would think at seeing a very tipsy Setsuna.
"You shee itsh forsh regen....regene....whasheverish to get more badashy *hic* againsh!"
*facepalm* "Oh Founder, I thought that I had the perfect Familiar, but instead she was only hiding her alcoholic addiction. Just what other vices does she have?!
"We~ll Zero, does this mean you are a drunkard as well, hmmmm?"
"Shut up, Zerbst."
In the background of the growing, verbal fight, Setsuna falls over with swirls in her eyes.
At that mental image of a possible future encounter, I could not help but give out a few snickers. Once I had calmed down, I went ahead and close the skill file on the Left Hand of God.
"Well, let's see about the next skill."
....
....
Once again, I was speechless for just how radically different these skills were from what I was accustomed to in the other Guild Wars games.
Before I could go on, I heard a sound that showed a cell phone text about an emergency meeting at work.
"Well, I'll get back to this later," I muttered as saved my progress, removed the disc, and left for work.
------
"So that is what Level 2 looks like. Not as drastic a change as gaining Level 1 from the start. I suppose that I can only hope for a better increase somewhere down the line. Oh well," I spoke to myself in Louise' room as I had opened up my character stats page once I logged back into the game.
Long story short, I proceeded to look over every stat, achievement, and skill that I had ever gained through completing certain events or avoiding others completely.
However, boredom soon set in and I began to talk aloud after checking my targeting system to make sure that no one was eavesdropping on Setsuna.
"Guess I have the rest of the day to myself since Louise will be stuck in classes for some time and Siesta still thinks that I need rest."
"That also rules out Jean since he will probably be teaching."
After ruling out any people I could speak with, a rather interesting grin appeared on my face.
"That means I can properly explore this world like any proper adventurer."
Immediately, I went about checking my targeting system and making sure that no one was in the vicinity and no one was scrying on my position. Once done, I had my character change clothing into a costume. Specifically the Shining Blade Uniform which showed a hint of cleavage and conveniently provided a hood to cover myself.
At the change, I had Setsuna approach the window of the room. Making sure that there was no one in the courtyard, I prepared a series of Shadow Steps to move rapidly from the Academy to the capital of this country that Siesta had once described during our first conversation.
Fortunately, there were no incidents along the way.
Clothing such as mine would probably appear to be a member of some kind of town watch or a noble man-at-arms with its purple coloring.
Inside the city, I had Setsuna explore the various shops and listen to the various vendors and shopkeepers.
"On sale today, fresh fish straight from the waters! Come and get them!"
"Three for one deals! Buy three dresses at the price of one before they're sold out!"
"You there, young lady! You look like a good judge of clothing! Come inside and see the finest that Joan's has to offer!"
"Weapons sales only today! Daggers, swords, bucklers, rapiers!"
"Fresh pastries from our ovens!"
And on and on with the sales pitches as Setsuna walked through the markets.
Occassionaly, I had Setsuna approach a few vendors to find out what they were selling.
Some were intimidated by Setsuna's clothing because of how fine the threadwork was for fear that their normal sales pitch would offend someone from a high rank or noble status. Others, not so much.
"Foreign noble! I am Germanian and know good warrior when I see one," boomed the heavily accented, burly man as he looked straight into my character's eyes.
"Oh. And what could you possibly offer for me, hmmm?"
"You have look of one who has seen war and could use good potion ingredients and potions."
"And these ingredients and potions would help me? I suppose I will have to see for myself."
"Yes, yes, come inside and know that Ludwig does not cheat good fellow warrior," spoke Ludwig the Germanian merchant before he continued in a hushed voice,"Unless you are bastard Tristain noble."
"I see. I suppose I will look at your wares good sir."
"No sir. Just Ludwig. And your name Fraulein?"
*laughter* "You presume much, Ludwig."
At my accusation, Ludwig only grinned broadly as the word Fraulein usually implied that the woman in question was single.
"By the way, please call me Hangaku Gozen."
"Hmmmm...." said Ludwig as he rubbed his chin with his eyes closed in thought. After some unseen signal, Ludwig opened his eyes and grinned broadly, "I like it. Good warrior name for good warrior."
Once again I laughed as I responded, "You have no idea, Ludwig."
Some of the potions ingredients could have been straight out of a fantasy novel as they were newt's eyes, rabbits' feet, and many others.
Others were more practical, like the potions themselves. Minor healing, heat tolerance potions, hangover draughts, poison remedies, and etc.
"Well Ludwig, I do not exactly have a use for many of these items just yet. However, I would like a few of those general healing potions."
"Good, good. And how many, Fraulein?"
"Make it twenty, Ludwig."
"Twenty it is. And your total comes to five gold. Normally, I charge ten, but you not bastard Tristain. So you get good deal."
"Thank you Ludwig."
"Your welcome."
When Ludwig turned around to adjust his stock of potions on his shelves, I immediately put away the purchases into my inventory as I read the achievement message. Once he turned around, he raised an eyebrow at how quickly the items had disappeared, but said nothing.
That message gave me an idea. After all, it had said foreigners, not foreigner. Stupidity or rashness, I wanted some action to get my character to level up quickly and I had a feeling that this would help some of the plans I had been thinking about earlier.
Namely, the kind of plans that involved establishing an economic foothold for my own purposes.
"Ludwig, would you happen to know other foreigners who are around the area?"
"Why yes, Fraulein. I know others just like us. You seek to find companionship?" Ludwig said suggestively while he waggled his eyebrows.
*snort*"Hardly, Ludwig. Just want to see if there are any people who have similar attitudes about Tristain nobles and such. Especially those who are not exactly happy with the current situation."
"Hmmmmm....will cost much money to contact these people you have in mind."
"How much, Ludwig?"
"Afraid Fraulein does not have enough."
"I thought you were going to say that." At his words, several hundred gold coins appeared after I removed the gold from the inventory and had them appear before Ludwig. At the amount of gold on the counter, the wood began to creek slightly at the sheer weight, while Ludwig's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets at the sheer number of coins.
"I trust that this will be enough to contact these 'unhappy' people?"
....
"Ludwig?"
....
"Ludwig?"
"....yes. That will be more than enough," Ludwig said.
"Good Ludwig. When can I expect results?"
"Come back tomorrow. Wear same clothing so can tell you are you, Fraulein. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
What was already implied was the need for silence. Then again, Ludwig did think that I was a foreigner like him and thought that I might have had my share of troubles with the locals.
On the agreement, I had my character leave the shop and explore the rest of the capital.
The rest of the day passed without much fanfare as I thought about what I was getting involved in.
When the sun was in midday position, I had Setsuna return to the academy using a zig-zag route and re-entered the open window of Louise' room.
Once there, I saved my progress and left the game to grab some lunch.
------
Sorry for the delay. Had to deal with real life issues. Anyway, hope that this is enough of an apology as I will be gone for some time to visit family halfway across the globe.
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, Suggestions.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
Chapter Three: Sowing the Seeds
------
After having had some rather tasty sandwiches, I decided that one more run in the game would be nice before going to bed.
Once the game loaded, I found Setsuna inside the room of her master, Louise Valliere and nothing to do but wait.
Unfortunately, I wanted to see if there was anything else I could do before Louise returned from her classes.
Checking the targeting system and the active quests list, I found that I would not have enough time to pursue anymore 'drama' that was the Disgruntled Foreigners Quest until tomorrow when, hopefully, Ludwig would come through and assemble whatever sorts of people he could bring.
If my hunch was correct, then this might be the perfect opportunity to establish a vital link into the darker and seedier side of Tristain.
"After all, it never hurts to have an ear or two to the ground just in case I could recruit some like-minded individuals as information brokers and other less than legal activities," I chuckled to myself as I had Setsuna exit the room and wander the halls and avoid any passing students, staff, or faculty.
Once I had Setsuna reach the gardens just outside the castle, I discovered a familiar name listed on my targeting identifier as one 'Montomorency'.
"Hmmmm....why would she not be in classes, after all that wou- oh....now I remember. The incident at Alviss Hall not too long ago. I suppose I could visit her and see what is going on in the latest episode of 'As Halkeginia Turns' and see if I can do something that wont be utterly boring," I muttered to myself as I had Setsuna approach the corner and overheard some sniffing and quiet crying.
"Oh Guiche. Why? Why can you not see that I have always loved you? Am I not good enough*sniff*for you that you must pursue others behind my back? *blows nose*Will I always be doomed to fall for the unfaithful? What have I deserved to be treated like this...." and on and on Montmorency went about infedility and other such things that the adolescent heart tended to do with such large amounts of hormones, which in turn super-charged such feelings to near-suicidal tendencies at times.
"Enough of this," I whispered as I had Setsuna step out in full view of Montmorency who had been sitting on a bench with a piece of cloth in her hands, "if I do not intervene now, I might not ever find out what the Spirit of the Lake Quest and the Montmorency Route are all about."
"Oh Guiche, why wou-"
"Need a shoulder to lean on, Montmorency," I asked with a politely neutral face as she looked up with tear-stained, red-lined eyes. At first her face had shock, then anger, and finally settled in politeness.
"Familar of Ze- I mean, yo- I mean....actually, I do not know your name?"
At her question, I text-commanded Setsuna to bow, while I spoke, "My apologies for not properly introducing myself earlier, but there did not appear to be any good situation that would present itself. My name is Setsuna."
At my bow, Montmorency stood up and curtseyed in response that seemed more on auto-pilot than anything else.
"Well met, Setsuna. No apology is needed from one who has done much good for the maidens of the Academy. I am Montmorency Margarita la Fere de Montmorency and I must apologize for not having properly introduced myself earlier."
"It would appear that we are beginning to argue over who should apologize to the other," I spoke with a wry smile on my face as Setsuna stood up from her bow and I continued, "I propose that we are both forgiven of our offenses before we start an argument over semantics that we would both regret."
At my proposal, Montmorency blinked a few times before she gently laughed with her hand covering her mouth.
"A good idea, Setsuna, and one that I wholeheartedly agree upon."
"Good. Now let us deal with this small matter of your crying."
And so we talked for a long time, before I decided that I needed to log off for sleep.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are welcome.
A bit in a rush as I have sporadic internet connection at the moment and my vacation has turned into an impromptu funeral for a loved one at the moment, which has killed a bit of my inspiration for writing right now.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
------
After having had some rather tasty sandwiches, I decided that one more run in the game would be nice before going to bed.
Once the game loaded, I found Setsuna inside the room of her master, Louise Valliere and nothing to do but wait.
Unfortunately, I wanted to see if there was anything else I could do before Louise returned from her classes.
Checking the targeting system and the active quests list, I found that I would not have enough time to pursue anymore 'drama' that was the Disgruntled Foreigners Quest until tomorrow when, hopefully, Ludwig would come through and assemble whatever sorts of people he could bring.
If my hunch was correct, then this might be the perfect opportunity to establish a vital link into the darker and seedier side of Tristain.
"After all, it never hurts to have an ear or two to the ground just in case I could recruit some like-minded individuals as information brokers and other less than legal activities," I chuckled to myself as I had Setsuna exit the room and wander the halls and avoid any passing students, staff, or faculty.
Once I had Setsuna reach the gardens just outside the castle, I discovered a familiar name listed on my targeting identifier as one 'Montomorency'.
"Hmmmm....why would she not be in classes, after all that wou- oh....now I remember. The incident at Alviss Hall not too long ago. I suppose I could visit her and see what is going on in the latest episode of 'As Halkeginia Turns' and see if I can do something that wont be utterly boring," I muttered to myself as I had Setsuna approach the corner and overheard some sniffing and quiet crying.
"Oh Guiche. Why? Why can you not see that I have always loved you? Am I not good enough*sniff*for you that you must pursue others behind my back? *blows nose*Will I always be doomed to fall for the unfaithful? What have I deserved to be treated like this...." and on and on Montmorency went about infedility and other such things that the adolescent heart tended to do with such large amounts of hormones, which in turn super-charged such feelings to near-suicidal tendencies at times.
"Enough of this," I whispered as I had Setsuna step out in full view of Montmorency who had been sitting on a bench with a piece of cloth in her hands, "if I do not intervene now, I might not ever find out what the Spirit of the Lake Quest and the Montmorency Route are all about."
"Oh Guiche, why wou-"
"Need a shoulder to lean on, Montmorency," I asked with a politely neutral face as she looked up with tear-stained, red-lined eyes. At first her face had shock, then anger, and finally settled in politeness.
"Familar of Ze- I mean, yo- I mean....actually, I do not know your name?"
At her question, I text-commanded Setsuna to bow, while I spoke, "My apologies for not properly introducing myself earlier, but there did not appear to be any good situation that would present itself. My name is Setsuna."
At my bow, Montmorency stood up and curtseyed in response that seemed more on auto-pilot than anything else.
"Well met, Setsuna. No apology is needed from one who has done much good for the maidens of the Academy. I am Montmorency Margarita la Fere de Montmorency and I must apologize for not having properly introduced myself earlier."
"It would appear that we are beginning to argue over who should apologize to the other," I spoke with a wry smile on my face as Setsuna stood up from her bow and I continued, "I propose that we are both forgiven of our offenses before we start an argument over semantics that we would both regret."
At my proposal, Montmorency blinked a few times before she gently laughed with her hand covering her mouth.
"A good idea, Setsuna, and one that I wholeheartedly agree upon."
"Good. Now let us deal with this small matter of your crying."
And so we talked for a long time, before I decided that I needed to log off for sleep.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are welcome.
A bit in a rush as I have sporadic internet connection at the moment and my vacation has turned into an impromptu funeral for a loved one at the moment, which has killed a bit of my inspiration for writing right now.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
Chapter Three, Part Two: Sowing the Seeds
------
"And please do not forget that we cannot be seen together in public."
"Why would that be a problem?"
"You are clearly both a foreigner and a commoner and may not be accustomed to our ways, but please know that while it is not against any laws, it is looked down upon by many of my peers if I should associate with you in open places."
"I see."
"Please do not take this as an insult as I have come to value your opinion after you comforted me with your stern, but necessary words."
"I do not agree with how your 'peers' would treat you if you were caught with me, but I do understand and I will try my best not to get you in trouble."
*sigh* "Thank you for understanding, Setsuna. I must take my leave now before my friends begin to look for me."
"Your welcome, Montmorency. If you ever need a someone to talk to, I'm all ears."
"Once again, thank you."
These were the words that ended my previous conversation with the one known as Montmorency as I re-entered the world of Void Ascension.
"Nobles and their silly notions. I'm just glad that I don't live in a country like that."
"Whatever. Time to find out what happened to my pink-haired master."
So, I had my character back inside the room she shared with her master and waited for a few minutes before I heard the sound of the door opening.
What greeted Setsuna was not the proud, pink-haired noble wearing a clean uniform. Rather, what greeted my character was a disheveled, little girl with a downtrodden look on her face.
'If I were one of those moe lovers, I would probably squeal right about now' I thought to myself.
"Master, what happened to you?"
*mumble, mumble*
"Master, I cannot hear you."
*mumble*explosion*mumble*
"Master!"
"eeeeee!" she screamed as she jumped up in fright while looking about as though she had not been paying close attention to her surroundings.
*laughter* "Oh master, you should not be so focused on your thoughts that you are not aware of what is around you."
"F-Familiar! Do not laugh at your Master or else I will punish you!"
"Master, you should see the look on your face. It was absolutely priceless. Why, if I had a camera, I would have taken a picture," I laughed as I could help comparing her face to that of a five-year old throwing a temper tantrum but only managed to look adorable in the process.
"Camera? Picture? What is this nonsense you speak of? And cease this laughter at once or else I will have to whip some sense into you!"
I continued to give out fake laughter in the hopes that Louise would not notice any noticeable change in Setsuna's demeanor. Then again, with how angry she looked, she was probably not focusing on the difference between real or fake laughter.
'How am I going to explain this one now? I mean I should be smarter than to go around dropping those kind of words in a less advanced world'.
At least, I would like to think that that was my thought process. In actuality, my only thoughts in the moment were:
'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit'.
Then, I had a flash of brilliance or a flash of absolute desperation and stupidity as I remembered her word about whips.
"Oh whips master? Then I must tell you something about me that you must know!"
"Wha- do not change the subject before I really bring out the whi-"
I knew it would be foolish, but I began singing the rather amusing song from Tom Lehrer while I text commanded my character to clap:
"I ache for the touch of your lips dear
But much more for the touch of your whips dear
You can raise welps, like nobody else
As we dance to the masochism tango!"
And on I went until I had finished the song and text commanded Setsuna to stop clapping.
At the end, I only saw Louise frozen in shock with her eyes wide open with the occasional 'murgle' sound coming from her open mouth.
"Heh. Works like a charm. See you later, Mast~er!"
When the door closed, I heard a muffled thump as I imagined Louise had fallen into her bed. However, I had forgotten to check for anyone outside the room as I ran into none other than the Dairy Cow and the Midget Dragon Rider who were both looking at Setsuna with looks of shock and in the Dairy Cow's case, what appeared to be a bit of arousal.
"...."
"...."
"...."
"Shocking."
"Agreed midget."
"Not midget."
"Name?"
"Tabitha," came the whispered reply.
"And the Dai- I mean your red-haired friend?" At my near miss, Tabitha's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but her whispered tone did not change in volume.
"Kirche."
"Nice to meet you Tabitha and you as well Kirche. I must be off now."
"...."
And so I left to meet up with Professor Colbert now that it appeared that classes were over, Louise was still in shock, the red and blue duo were standing in front of the door, and I had a potential information source in the form of one of the faculty.
"I swear, I thought I heard Louise scream something about not being a deviant or some such. Oh well."
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are welcome to help me improve my writing.
I think I have my inspiration back. Just hope I can continue before I run dry of ideas again.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
------
"And please do not forget that we cannot be seen together in public."
"Why would that be a problem?"
"You are clearly both a foreigner and a commoner and may not be accustomed to our ways, but please know that while it is not against any laws, it is looked down upon by many of my peers if I should associate with you in open places."
"I see."
"Please do not take this as an insult as I have come to value your opinion after you comforted me with your stern, but necessary words."
"I do not agree with how your 'peers' would treat you if you were caught with me, but I do understand and I will try my best not to get you in trouble."
*sigh* "Thank you for understanding, Setsuna. I must take my leave now before my friends begin to look for me."
"Your welcome, Montmorency. If you ever need a someone to talk to, I'm all ears."
"Once again, thank you."
These were the words that ended my previous conversation with the one known as Montmorency as I re-entered the world of Void Ascension.
"Nobles and their silly notions. I'm just glad that I don't live in a country like that."
"Whatever. Time to find out what happened to my pink-haired master."
So, I had my character back inside the room she shared with her master and waited for a few minutes before I heard the sound of the door opening.
What greeted Setsuna was not the proud, pink-haired noble wearing a clean uniform. Rather, what greeted my character was a disheveled, little girl with a downtrodden look on her face.
'If I were one of those moe lovers, I would probably squeal right about now' I thought to myself.
"Master, what happened to you?"
*mumble, mumble*
"Master, I cannot hear you."
*mumble*explosion*mumble*
"Master!"
"eeeeee!" she screamed as she jumped up in fright while looking about as though she had not been paying close attention to her surroundings.
*laughter* "Oh master, you should not be so focused on your thoughts that you are not aware of what is around you."
"F-Familiar! Do not laugh at your Master or else I will punish you!"
"Master, you should see the look on your face. It was absolutely priceless. Why, if I had a camera, I would have taken a picture," I laughed as I could help comparing her face to that of a five-year old throwing a temper tantrum but only managed to look adorable in the process.
"Camera? Picture? What is this nonsense you speak of? And cease this laughter at once or else I will have to whip some sense into you!"
I continued to give out fake laughter in the hopes that Louise would not notice any noticeable change in Setsuna's demeanor. Then again, with how angry she looked, she was probably not focusing on the difference between real or fake laughter.
'How am I going to explain this one now? I mean I should be smarter than to go around dropping those kind of words in a less advanced world'.
At least, I would like to think that that was my thought process. In actuality, my only thoughts in the moment were:
'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit'.
Then, I had a flash of brilliance or a flash of absolute desperation and stupidity as I remembered her word about whips.
"Oh whips master? Then I must tell you something about me that you must know!"
"Wha- do not change the subject before I really bring out the whi-"
I knew it would be foolish, but I began singing the rather amusing song from Tom Lehrer while I text commanded my character to clap:
"I ache for the touch of your lips dear
But much more for the touch of your whips dear
You can raise welps, like nobody else
As we dance to the masochism tango!"
And on I went until I had finished the song and text commanded Setsuna to stop clapping.
At the end, I only saw Louise frozen in shock with her eyes wide open with the occasional 'murgle' sound coming from her open mouth.
"Heh. Works like a charm. See you later, Mast~er!"
When the door closed, I heard a muffled thump as I imagined Louise had fallen into her bed. However, I had forgotten to check for anyone outside the room as I ran into none other than the Dairy Cow and the Midget Dragon Rider who were both looking at Setsuna with looks of shock and in the Dairy Cow's case, what appeared to be a bit of arousal.
"...."
"...."
"...."
"Shocking."
"Agreed midget."
"Not midget."
"Name?"
"Tabitha," came the whispered reply.
"And the Dai- I mean your red-haired friend?" At my near miss, Tabitha's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but her whispered tone did not change in volume.
"Kirche."
"Nice to meet you Tabitha and you as well Kirche. I must be off now."
"...."
And so I left to meet up with Professor Colbert now that it appeared that classes were over, Louise was still in shock, the red and blue duo were standing in front of the door, and I had a potential information source in the form of one of the faculty.
"I swear, I thought I heard Louise scream something about not being a deviant or some such. Oh well."
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are welcome to help me improve my writing.
I think I have my inspiration back. Just hope I can continue before I run dry of ideas again.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
Chapter Three, Part Three: Sowing the Seeds
------
As I traveled down the various hallways leading to the faculty, I noticed that many of the female nobles that had once congratulated Setsuna earlier were now ignoring her like the rest of the cleaning staff.
'Guess Montmorency was right about nobles and their attitudes. So much for the books in the library talking about nobles looking out for the welfare of the commoners', I thought to myself as I continued to make my way toward Professor Colbert's office.
One glaring problem, however.
I had forgotten to ask him where his office was and I did not have the patience to search the castle for the next few hours.
Just as I reached a relatively isolated hallway, I immediately noticed on my targetting system, a figure shimmer out of invisibility.
"Pardom me, Familiar of Louise. Might I have a moment of your time?"
As I turned Setsuna around, I was confronted by the image of an old man that could have come straight out of a generic fantasy novel. However, I noted that his hair and beard looked a little frazzled, semi-visible dark rings around his eyes, and a less than pleased look on his face.
"I suppose that was not a question and more of an order, I take it?"
"You suppose correctly."
I text commanded Setsuna to take on a confused look and responded with, "I don't suppose that I could inform my Master before I travel with an old man who might do or request something....questionable?"
While he did not shout or attempt any kind of physical retribution for my insinuation, I noticed that his left eyebrow twitched in what I could only assume as irritation. Or was that anger?
'Maybe I can delay him and possibly figure out what he wants from me. I just hope he did not somehow track me to Ludwig in the capital. That, would be bad. Very bad'.
As I was thinking, the old man in front of me inhaled deeply, held his breath for about ten seconds, and then exhaled quietly. He turned to face Setsuna with a somewhat stern and imposing visage that would have worked had I actually been there.
Unfortunately for him, I was not only unimpressed, I had dealt with many rude and overbearing customers in the past, and I had been thorougly de-sensitized from the likes of SB and its many interesting posters.
"Now why would you ever think that I would do something....questionable, as you say?"
And so I began to speak in my driest and most unamused voice while I text commanded Setsuna to take on a pondering look.
"You are a wrinkled old man, not dead, so I can safely presume that you have certain desires like any red-blooded male."
*eyebrow twitch*
"Now that is not tru-"
"I heard a voice similar to yours that screamed something about a trap on the night that Professor Colbert landed on my person in a compromising way and a certain rodent trying to make its getaway."
*eyebrow twitches twice*
"Young lady, I do not condo-"
"I also read your lips in the Alviss Dining Hall about missing the glory that was panties and other parts of the female anatomy." In actuality, all verbal dialogue in Guild Wars always has a written component, so I just read the text over his head. But, he did not know that and I had no intention of letting him know either.
*eyebrow twitches thrice*
"You do not know the glory that is panti-"
"Lastly, that rodent that I chased had more endurance, speed, and intelligence than any normal rodent, including it raising its forepaw in a universal sign of victory."
*head twitch*
"...."
"In conclusion, I can only safely assume that the rodent, the Familiar rodent, was linked to a rather perverted Master as the Familiar reflects the Master. And now, the Master wants his Familiar back."
At my conclusion, the old man sighed and looked like a five-year old having been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
On seeing his defeated posture, I text commanded Setsuna to stop the pondering gesture.
*grumble*
"What was that?"
"....What do you want," he asked with a wince as he realized that he had essentially given me a blank check.
He winced once more when he saw the rather toothy smile appear on my face.
"Well you see. There are a few things I would like to have done."
"I will have you know that anything that harms the students, faculty, or servants will not be acceptable," he said sternly while he tried to regain some of control of the conversation.
'Well, rumors do travel faster than the speed of light and I could use what happened earlier to my advantage. Besides, I can try to test and see if he heard my little song. If he is too focused on the conversation, I may not be able to milk this for all its worth'.
"Harm my good man? I would not harm any of them unless they asked nicely and are into....whips," I said in a teasing manner.
At my proclamation, the old man's eyes glazed over and it almost appeared as though he were about to drool.
'Jackpot'
"And that would be another mark against you my good man for, dare I say it, eavesdropping on the activities between a Master and her Familiar," I dryly pointed out.
That shook him out of his little fantasy somewhat and he attempted to rejoin the verbal spar.
"Harder....I mean that is completely out of line as an accusation and I will-"
"Even if I were to involve the green-haired secretary and myself in some whipping," I teased as I wanted to keep on throwing him off-balance.
Once again, his eyes glazed over, but he recovered quicker this time.
"....I will not allow any whipping of my delicious secretary and you will do wel-"
*overdramatic sigh*
"I guess I will have to inform my Master's parents, the Duke and Duchess Valliere, of your desires on her precious Familiar," I spoke with a put upon manner as I remembered reading about how the Valliere's were a very powerful family.
On my interruption, he paled slightly and once more, took on a defeated posture.
"Fine. Name your terms," he said as he began to sulk once more.
This was going to be a very good day for me.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are all welcome.
Author's Note:
Negotiation time! Let's see in the next installment what I can get away without pissing of the old man.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
------
As I traveled down the various hallways leading to the faculty, I noticed that many of the female nobles that had once congratulated Setsuna earlier were now ignoring her like the rest of the cleaning staff.
'Guess Montmorency was right about nobles and their attitudes. So much for the books in the library talking about nobles looking out for the welfare of the commoners', I thought to myself as I continued to make my way toward Professor Colbert's office.
One glaring problem, however.
I had forgotten to ask him where his office was and I did not have the patience to search the castle for the next few hours.
Just as I reached a relatively isolated hallway, I immediately noticed on my targetting system, a figure shimmer out of invisibility.
"Pardom me, Familiar of Louise. Might I have a moment of your time?"
As I turned Setsuna around, I was confronted by the image of an old man that could have come straight out of a generic fantasy novel. However, I noted that his hair and beard looked a little frazzled, semi-visible dark rings around his eyes, and a less than pleased look on his face.
"I suppose that was not a question and more of an order, I take it?"
"You suppose correctly."
I text commanded Setsuna to take on a confused look and responded with, "I don't suppose that I could inform my Master before I travel with an old man who might do or request something....questionable?"
While he did not shout or attempt any kind of physical retribution for my insinuation, I noticed that his left eyebrow twitched in what I could only assume as irritation. Or was that anger?
'Maybe I can delay him and possibly figure out what he wants from me. I just hope he did not somehow track me to Ludwig in the capital. That, would be bad. Very bad'.
As I was thinking, the old man in front of me inhaled deeply, held his breath for about ten seconds, and then exhaled quietly. He turned to face Setsuna with a somewhat stern and imposing visage that would have worked had I actually been there.
Unfortunately for him, I was not only unimpressed, I had dealt with many rude and overbearing customers in the past, and I had been thorougly de-sensitized from the likes of SB and its many interesting posters.
"Now why would you ever think that I would do something....questionable, as you say?"
And so I began to speak in my driest and most unamused voice while I text commanded Setsuna to take on a pondering look.
"You are a wrinkled old man, not dead, so I can safely presume that you have certain desires like any red-blooded male."
*eyebrow twitch*
"Now that is not tru-"
"I heard a voice similar to yours that screamed something about a trap on the night that Professor Colbert landed on my person in a compromising way and a certain rodent trying to make its getaway."
*eyebrow twitches twice*
"Young lady, I do not condo-"
"I also read your lips in the Alviss Dining Hall about missing the glory that was panties and other parts of the female anatomy." In actuality, all verbal dialogue in Guild Wars always has a written component, so I just read the text over his head. But, he did not know that and I had no intention of letting him know either.
*eyebrow twitches thrice*
"You do not know the glory that is panti-"
"Lastly, that rodent that I chased had more endurance, speed, and intelligence than any normal rodent, including it raising its forepaw in a universal sign of victory."
*head twitch*
"...."
"In conclusion, I can only safely assume that the rodent, the Familiar rodent, was linked to a rather perverted Master as the Familiar reflects the Master. And now, the Master wants his Familiar back."
At my conclusion, the old man sighed and looked like a five-year old having been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
On seeing his defeated posture, I text commanded Setsuna to stop the pondering gesture.
*grumble*
"What was that?"
"....What do you want," he asked with a wince as he realized that he had essentially given me a blank check.
He winced once more when he saw the rather toothy smile appear on my face.
"Well you see. There are a few things I would like to have done."
"I will have you know that anything that harms the students, faculty, or servants will not be acceptable," he said sternly while he tried to regain some of control of the conversation.
'Well, rumors do travel faster than the speed of light and I could use what happened earlier to my advantage. Besides, I can try to test and see if he heard my little song. If he is too focused on the conversation, I may not be able to milk this for all its worth'.
"Harm my good man? I would not harm any of them unless they asked nicely and are into....whips," I said in a teasing manner.
At my proclamation, the old man's eyes glazed over and it almost appeared as though he were about to drool.
'Jackpot'
"And that would be another mark against you my good man for, dare I say it, eavesdropping on the activities between a Master and her Familiar," I dryly pointed out.
That shook him out of his little fantasy somewhat and he attempted to rejoin the verbal spar.
"Harder....I mean that is completely out of line as an accusation and I will-"
"Even if I were to involve the green-haired secretary and myself in some whipping," I teased as I wanted to keep on throwing him off-balance.
Once again, his eyes glazed over, but he recovered quicker this time.
"....I will not allow any whipping of my delicious secretary and you will do wel-"
*overdramatic sigh*
"I guess I will have to inform my Master's parents, the Duke and Duchess Valliere, of your desires on her precious Familiar," I spoke with a put upon manner as I remembered reading about how the Valliere's were a very powerful family.
On my interruption, he paled slightly and once more, took on a defeated posture.
"Fine. Name your terms," he said as he began to sulk once more.
This was going to be a very good day for me.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, and Suggestions are all welcome.
Author's Note:
Negotiation time! Let's see in the next installment what I can get away without pissing of the old man.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossover with PC-Controlled Assassin.
Thank you for reading and thank you for the compliment.koolerkid said:
As for Osmond, I have seen far too many fics that make him some kind of invincible wizard of ages past when he is a human being with magic.
That is not to say he is not a 'good' or 'powerful' person, just that I am ruthlessly exploiting his one noticeable weakness for my own gain.
I honestly was not certain how to play the scene in any other way without detracting from the player interaction with the 'game world' and crossing the line into 'generic ZnT familiar crossover' territory.Larekko12 said:
Anyway, thanks for the observation.
It might or might not become some kind of semi-recurring theme as the 'player' can only have so much of an emotional bond and realistic interaction with any game world, until I realize that it is not just a game, then we get into some interesting interactions.
I certainly hope it doesn't suck.Vorpal said:
The "honorable noble status" is more like a subtle aura that exudes from my character's person.Iron Roby said:
At this point, I have been upgraded from 'seen but not heard' to 'cannon fodder' in the sense that I have a miniscule value among the general noble populace, with some notable exceptions, like Montmorency.
This will play a role in dealing with the likes of professional soldiers as some will feel threatened in a subconscious manner, if they were given their position, or will feel some kind of pseudo-respect/pseudo-kinship, if they earned their position.
Spy?
I do not want to give away his story just yet.
Germania does tend to be the most 'good' nation in the sense that everyone has a chance to rise through the ranks when given the right tools, enough resources, and necessary ambition.
I am just surprised that many other ZnT crossovers have not tried to capitalize on that facet. But I suppose that it would be a lot of work to do the necessary world-building to do Germania, its culture, and other facets of that nation any justice.
One thing to note: my interpretation of Germania has a strong core of merit-based, non-mage military personnel, which means that there will be a much greater reliance on gunpowder for ranged capabilities.
This may play a role in later developments.
True.It's even funnier if you remember that the player already got an achievement for avoiding the S&M route. So that means that all that is merely a pale shadow of the real thing that could have been. ;7
The achievement does mean that we probably will never have any real progress on that front.
Although, that does not mean varying amounts of teasing will stop.
Actually, I am a bit of a fan of listening to Tom Lehrer on Youtube and I suddenly remembered that another story had made use of it while writing out that scene, but I had forgotten who had wrote it at the time.
I did have inspiration from Rodyle's fic to use it, but I was trying to think really hard where I read it from again and again.
Now I remember, thanks to your reminder.
Good to know.
While verbal teasing may come up now and a again, actual physical scenes are definitely not something I will do.
I wont be too harsh as I have noticed that he could have done much worse to my person, when one considers that he was invisible and I did not notice him until he revealed himself to me in a semi-private setting.
It's good to know that my hint at his 'goodness' was noticed in that he does care for every person under his authority including the servants, even if he is a bit of a pervert.
While he is being blackmailed, he still had enough sense to think about the servants and gained a bit of my respect in that I realize I am dealing with a person with magic (ie noble) who actually gives a damn.
He had enough respect not to appeal to the higher authority aka Louise Valliere, Master of Setsuna, and deal with her directly and not bring in any outside third parties as back up either.
How I deal with him will determine how he views Setsuna in future interactions.
Calmly?
We all know that tsunderes, especially super-tsunderes like Louise, will always be calm.
Right?
Right.
10
Chapter Three, Part Four: Sowing the Seeds
------
"Sooooo, Mr. Creepy Old Man, as you probably already know my name from peeping, sorry, I mean eavesdropping, that is to say, keeping an eye out for potential dangers," I said with a shit-eating grin, "I don't suppose you would deign to give me your name?"
*grumble*"It's Osmond, little witch, you better watch yourself," Osmond said as he continued his sulk.
"Oh? Did I just hear you say that I have to inform all the women who's the Master of this little mouse in my possession?"
*grumble*
"I did not catch th~at," I continued my taunting.
"I said fine, witch. Name your terms so that I can be rid of your presence."
"Now now. No need to be rude as you will soon find that I am not so harsh in my demands, after all. Rid of my presence, my dear Osmond? You wound me after you tried to have Jean molest my virginal, pure body," came my reply in a lighthearted tone of voice as I was very much amused by his childish fit.
*grumble*
Even though Osmond continued his grumbling at my teasing, he did not stop from taking the occasional, appreciative glance of Setsuna. Specifically, Setsuna's v-neck line and what lay underneath.
'Well, at least the programming for the stereotypical, dirty old man. works perfectly in-game. If this were real, I would be so creeped out'.
"I am certain that you appreciate the view. However, I would like to get down to business," I stated more seriously.
In response, Osmond straightened his posture and closed his eyes as though he were about to face the executioner's axe.
"Now, we are going to discuss what I can provide for the prestigious, Tristain Magical Academy and more specifically, you my dear Osmond."
"What," came the dumbfounded response as Osmond had most certainly not expected that.
'What I wouldn't give to have some kind of Paragon or Renegade Interrupt right about now'.
"Although, I was having fun at your expense, I do sympathize with your plight of not having your needs fulfilled. In my generosity, I will allow you to have your Familiar to engage in 'panty peeping'...."
"Praise the Founder!"
"With conditions," I sternly interrupted, which froze Osmond in a rather comical position of fist up in the air, just like his Familiar the night of the incident.
"You must be far more discrete...."
"But, but....the women always find out and then, and then...."Osmond interrupted, much to my annoyance and I decided to head him off before he started getting desperate. Desperate in the physical violence kind of desperate.
'If he starts attacking me, I won't ever get to level up LHoG to 20 since it's pretty much a given that old, perverted men in magical settings are really badassess in disguise'.
"As I said before, you must be discrete on and around Academy grounds. However, should the ladies prove to be a bit too perceptive, I would not mind taking the Familiar with me outside the Academy."
"Outside? You mean..."
"Yes, I would not mind allowing 'Panty Peeper'-"
"Chuchu."
"Chuchu?"
"Yes, I named him after my favorite panties."
"Thank you confirming that you are actually his Master," I teased once more as his widened in realization that I did not actually know his connection with Chuchu until he said it himself.
"Well played, Setsuna of Cantha," came the more sharp retort from the more serious Osmond.
At his implied message that he had observed my character during my meeting with Siesta, I could only text command Setsuna to bow her head as an acknowledgement that our negotiation had just upped a notch.
'Really enjoying the trigger mechanism in the AI interaction here'.
"As I said before, I do not mind bringing Chuchu with me on my excursions beyond the walls of Tristain Magical Academy. Last I checked, you have been rather interested in my activities and what better way to keep me in line than your precious Chuchu," I proposed to the now serious looking Osmond.
After five seconds of silence, Osmond nodded seriously and broke the moment by revealing a very perverted grin on his face, "All those lovely panties*sigh*."
"And my other condition is that Chuchu not peak on Master Louise, Montmorency, Tabitha, and Kirche as I consider them valuable assets."
'After all, the main party members of any good raid are the named ones'.
"Acceptable," Osmond stated, "And your other terms?"
"I will offer access to some of my valuable items as I understand that any Academy will always be concerned about funding."
A left eyebrow raised in question to my proposal.
"Surely, you do not believe that this Academy would accept any kind of bribery that would lead the Court to issue an Inquiry?"
"Surely, you as a crafty old man have reliable connections that would leave this Academy plausible deniability."
"Crafty? You are not insinuating something are you," came the rhetorical question as he avoided my statement.
"Just to make the deal sweeter, you can keep all the profits from any sales of any items I provide," I said as I ignored his probe into what I may or may not know of his person.
At the mention of keeping all the profits, Osmond looked slightly skeptical, "And what would you gain from just handing over such items in question with no coin?"
"Coin has no value to me and I strongly believe that there is a good business venture to be had here. After all, I am correct about the funding, am I not? Just how many times have you had to fight for more gold to be directed to this Academy by some upstart noble or old rival?"
*grumble* "More times than your years, witch. I still do not know what your take is on this. There is no such thing as charity when there is blackmail involved."
"Point taken. But as I said before, coin has no value to me and what I want is protection and secrecy as the source of these exotic and rare items from the land of Cantha."
"And just how will you traverse across the Great Ocean to get these items?"
At his question, I activated one of my spells from the Elementalist skillset, Frigid Armor.
"So Jean was right in his suspicions," came the whisper.
"Let's just say I have abilities that allow me to travel instantaneously from one location to another that I have already traveled beforehand," I said vaguely as I tried to re-word how I usually just clicked the menu and traveled from one town to another through the game interface.
"Incredible. Are you a noble?"
"As I said to Jean and I will say to you as well. No, I am not a noble."
I was a bit surprised when Osmond's face appeared to pale slightly when he asked another question, "Are you royalty?"
"I suppose not."
"That was not a clear denial."
"Let's just say I am incognito and leave it at that," I teased as I wanted to see how well the AI behind the script could handle my made up backstory.
"I see. So that is why you ask for protection and secrecy? As long as you are on Academy grounds or on any designated safehouse, you will have protection in exchange for the delivery of the exotic and rare items."
"I was reading in the library about how the various dyes used by the Royal Family and the Nobility are rather pricey. I believe that I could help in that area."
"And what kind of dyes would you have to offer?"
"Purple for one. And silver, and black, and any other host of colors that I believe are difficult to acquire especially for Tristain. Here, take a free sample," I said as I removed one purple, one silver, and one black vial of dye that appeared out of nowhere before Osmond who gasped in surprise and muttered something about 'wind illusion'.
"I can provide at least a hundred vials of select dyes a month and, once again, the Academy may keep all the profits."
"You are still assuming that I can sell these without getting caught."
"Please, Osmond. Do not insult either of our intelligence that you do not have your ways to get around getting caught."
*grumble* "What do you want in return for this then?"
"I want three things this time as dyes will be far easier to sell, transport, and explain than Canthan items."
"Fine. But they had better not be unreasonable, witch."
"Heh, still with the witch insults? First, I want plausible cover stories ready to be distributed should I ever be gone from the Academy grounds when I visit any of my new 'friends'."
"I know whom you speak of and they are good men, if a bit misguided at times. Although I cannot think of why you would need their services."
"Ah, my dear Osmond. Any good raiding party needs some good mooks."
"What?"
"Nothing."
*grumble*
"Anwyay, my second is that if there are any Inquiries on Master Louise, Montmorency, and myself, they will die off quietly and without much fuss."
"You do not include Tabitha or Kirche this time," questioned Osmond.
"I do not know if they are worth the investment."
"Cold, but practical," nodded the old pervert.
"Third, I want to make sure that no Tristain politcal entities will interfere in any of my business investments...."
"I cannot agree to that as I do not possess that much power."
"And again you stopped me from speaking before I could finish," I admonished Osmond as he took on a sheepish look, "No Tristain political entities will interfere without my being alerted immediately."
"Now that is far more reasonable. Yes, that is quite possible. And how do you want to be alerted?"
"I'm sure a man in your position has ways."
"Hmmmm," hummed Osmond as he stroked his awesome beard.
"Anything else, wi-, I mean Setsuna?"
"One last thing. I want three future favors, within reason of course."
"Of course," spoke Osmond as he continued to stroke his beard, "And what would the Academy receive in turn?"
"I would look favorably on Tristain Magical Academy as my first choice when pursuing a neutral location for any legitimate transactions that require a third party to play mediator. There will be a commission included, naturally."
"Naturally."
"I trust my terms are acceptable, Headmaster?"
"Setsuna, I must confess that I thought you would attempt some nefarious scheme. Instead, you only asked for that which I would give to any good friend of Tristain Magical Academy. And please, do call me Osmond, even though you have already taken the liberty to do so."
"Now, now, Osmond. What I ask for is simply good business as it would not do to alienate potential clients. Besides, I am not so cruel as to deny a man his needs."
"And for that you have my thanks."
"Please, do remember that I had better not catch you or your Familiar in the act of satisfying your urges."
*laughter*"By the Founder, if I did not see it firsthand through Chuchu, I could have sworn that you have the heart and mind of a man trapped in a rather fetching woman's body."
*chuckle*"You have no idea, Osmond."
"As for you terms, they are most generous. In fact, if you should ever find yourself in need of assistance, please, do not hesitate to come to my office as it will always be open to you."
"Thank you, Osmond. Rest assured, Chuchu is in safe hands."
"I do have some questions if you would satisfy an old man's curiosity?"
"Of course."
"Why do you serve Louise when you have clearly shown magical abilities?"
"Osmond, after reading about just how much power and influence the Valliere family has, how could I not afford to ingratiate myself into her good graces?"
"Securing a political foundation, hmmmm?"
"And your other question, Osmond," I asked as I ignored his comment.
"Ah yes. Would you be interested in becoming a noble? Not in Tristain, but in Germania."
"Tempting, but not just yet."
"I understand. However, should you ever find yourself in trouble, just ask for Erzherzog Herwald and he should expedite any letters patent."
"Thank you for your generosity. Are there any other questions as I am hoping to meet with Professor Colbert?"
*laughter*"Off with you."
"Have a good day, Osmond."
"You as well, Setsuna."
"Seriously, whoever wrote the backstory of this game expansion did a pretty good job integrating it into the game. Not to mention that the AI is very impressive in negotiating details on agreements and responding accordingly," I spoke quietly as I heard some laughter coming from some of the nobles from some of the hallways my character passed.
And so, Setsuna found herself in front of Professor Colbert's office and I found myself a bit drained from the lengthy talk with Osmond and decided to save and exit for now.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, Suggestions. As usual, I am open to them.
Author's Note: I have changed the scene in order to show the deal itself.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossove with PC-Controlled Assassin.
------
"Sooooo, Mr. Creepy Old Man, as you probably already know my name from peeping, sorry, I mean eavesdropping, that is to say, keeping an eye out for potential dangers," I said with a shit-eating grin, "I don't suppose you would deign to give me your name?"
*grumble*"It's Osmond, little witch, you better watch yourself," Osmond said as he continued his sulk.
"Oh? Did I just hear you say that I have to inform all the women who's the Master of this little mouse in my possession?"
*grumble*
"I did not catch th~at," I continued my taunting.
"I said fine, witch. Name your terms so that I can be rid of your presence."
"Now now. No need to be rude as you will soon find that I am not so harsh in my demands, after all. Rid of my presence, my dear Osmond? You wound me after you tried to have Jean molest my virginal, pure body," came my reply in a lighthearted tone of voice as I was very much amused by his childish fit.
*grumble*
Even though Osmond continued his grumbling at my teasing, he did not stop from taking the occasional, appreciative glance of Setsuna. Specifically, Setsuna's v-neck line and what lay underneath.
'Well, at least the programming for the stereotypical, dirty old man. works perfectly in-game. If this were real, I would be so creeped out'.
"I am certain that you appreciate the view. However, I would like to get down to business," I stated more seriously.
In response, Osmond straightened his posture and closed his eyes as though he were about to face the executioner's axe.
"Now, we are going to discuss what I can provide for the prestigious, Tristain Magical Academy and more specifically, you my dear Osmond."
"What," came the dumbfounded response as Osmond had most certainly not expected that.
'What I wouldn't give to have some kind of Paragon or Renegade Interrupt right about now'.
"Although, I was having fun at your expense, I do sympathize with your plight of not having your needs fulfilled. In my generosity, I will allow you to have your Familiar to engage in 'panty peeping'...."
"Praise the Founder!"
"With conditions," I sternly interrupted, which froze Osmond in a rather comical position of fist up in the air, just like his Familiar the night of the incident.
"You must be far more discrete...."
"But, but....the women always find out and then, and then...."Osmond interrupted, much to my annoyance and I decided to head him off before he started getting desperate. Desperate in the physical violence kind of desperate.
'If he starts attacking me, I won't ever get to level up LHoG to 20 since it's pretty much a given that old, perverted men in magical settings are really badassess in disguise'.
"As I said before, you must be discrete on and around Academy grounds. However, should the ladies prove to be a bit too perceptive, I would not mind taking the Familiar with me outside the Academy."
"Outside? You mean..."
"Yes, I would not mind allowing 'Panty Peeper'-"
"Chuchu."
"Chuchu?"
"Yes, I named him after my favorite panties."
"Thank you confirming that you are actually his Master," I teased once more as his widened in realization that I did not actually know his connection with Chuchu until he said it himself.
"Well played, Setsuna of Cantha," came the more sharp retort from the more serious Osmond.
At his implied message that he had observed my character during my meeting with Siesta, I could only text command Setsuna to bow her head as an acknowledgement that our negotiation had just upped a notch.
'Really enjoying the trigger mechanism in the AI interaction here'.
"As I said before, I do not mind bringing Chuchu with me on my excursions beyond the walls of Tristain Magical Academy. Last I checked, you have been rather interested in my activities and what better way to keep me in line than your precious Chuchu," I proposed to the now serious looking Osmond.
After five seconds of silence, Osmond nodded seriously and broke the moment by revealing a very perverted grin on his face, "All those lovely panties*sigh*."
"And my other condition is that Chuchu not peak on Master Louise, Montmorency, Tabitha, and Kirche as I consider them valuable assets."
'After all, the main party members of any good raid are the named ones'.
"Acceptable," Osmond stated, "And your other terms?"
"I will offer access to some of my valuable items as I understand that any Academy will always be concerned about funding."
A left eyebrow raised in question to my proposal.
"Surely, you do not believe that this Academy would accept any kind of bribery that would lead the Court to issue an Inquiry?"
"Surely, you as a crafty old man have reliable connections that would leave this Academy plausible deniability."
"Crafty? You are not insinuating something are you," came the rhetorical question as he avoided my statement.
"Just to make the deal sweeter, you can keep all the profits from any sales of any items I provide," I said as I ignored his probe into what I may or may not know of his person.
At the mention of keeping all the profits, Osmond looked slightly skeptical, "And what would you gain from just handing over such items in question with no coin?"
"Coin has no value to me and I strongly believe that there is a good business venture to be had here. After all, I am correct about the funding, am I not? Just how many times have you had to fight for more gold to be directed to this Academy by some upstart noble or old rival?"
*grumble* "More times than your years, witch. I still do not know what your take is on this. There is no such thing as charity when there is blackmail involved."
"Point taken. But as I said before, coin has no value to me and what I want is protection and secrecy as the source of these exotic and rare items from the land of Cantha."
"And just how will you traverse across the Great Ocean to get these items?"
At his question, I activated one of my spells from the Elementalist skillset, Frigid Armor.
"So Jean was right in his suspicions," came the whisper.
"Let's just say I have abilities that allow me to travel instantaneously from one location to another that I have already traveled beforehand," I said vaguely as I tried to re-word how I usually just clicked the menu and traveled from one town to another through the game interface.
"Incredible. Are you a noble?"
"As I said to Jean and I will say to you as well. No, I am not a noble."
I was a bit surprised when Osmond's face appeared to pale slightly when he asked another question, "Are you royalty?"
"I suppose not."
"That was not a clear denial."
"Let's just say I am incognito and leave it at that," I teased as I wanted to see how well the AI behind the script could handle my made up backstory.
"I see. So that is why you ask for protection and secrecy? As long as you are on Academy grounds or on any designated safehouse, you will have protection in exchange for the delivery of the exotic and rare items."
"I was reading in the library about how the various dyes used by the Royal Family and the Nobility are rather pricey. I believe that I could help in that area."
"And what kind of dyes would you have to offer?"
"Purple for one. And silver, and black, and any other host of colors that I believe are difficult to acquire especially for Tristain. Here, take a free sample," I said as I removed one purple, one silver, and one black vial of dye that appeared out of nowhere before Osmond who gasped in surprise and muttered something about 'wind illusion'.
"I can provide at least a hundred vials of select dyes a month and, once again, the Academy may keep all the profits."
"You are still assuming that I can sell these without getting caught."
"Please, Osmond. Do not insult either of our intelligence that you do not have your ways to get around getting caught."
*grumble* "What do you want in return for this then?"
"I want three things this time as dyes will be far easier to sell, transport, and explain than Canthan items."
"Fine. But they had better not be unreasonable, witch."
"Heh, still with the witch insults? First, I want plausible cover stories ready to be distributed should I ever be gone from the Academy grounds when I visit any of my new 'friends'."
"I know whom you speak of and they are good men, if a bit misguided at times. Although I cannot think of why you would need their services."
"Ah, my dear Osmond. Any good raiding party needs some good mooks."
"What?"
"Nothing."
*grumble*
"Anwyay, my second is that if there are any Inquiries on Master Louise, Montmorency, and myself, they will die off quietly and without much fuss."
"You do not include Tabitha or Kirche this time," questioned Osmond.
"I do not know if they are worth the investment."
"Cold, but practical," nodded the old pervert.
"Third, I want to make sure that no Tristain politcal entities will interfere in any of my business investments...."
"I cannot agree to that as I do not possess that much power."
"And again you stopped me from speaking before I could finish," I admonished Osmond as he took on a sheepish look, "No Tristain political entities will interfere without my being alerted immediately."
"Now that is far more reasonable. Yes, that is quite possible. And how do you want to be alerted?"
"I'm sure a man in your position has ways."
"Hmmmm," hummed Osmond as he stroked his awesome beard.
"Anything else, wi-, I mean Setsuna?"
"One last thing. I want three future favors, within reason of course."
"Of course," spoke Osmond as he continued to stroke his beard, "And what would the Academy receive in turn?"
"I would look favorably on Tristain Magical Academy as my first choice when pursuing a neutral location for any legitimate transactions that require a third party to play mediator. There will be a commission included, naturally."
"Naturally."
"I trust my terms are acceptable, Headmaster?"
"Setsuna, I must confess that I thought you would attempt some nefarious scheme. Instead, you only asked for that which I would give to any good friend of Tristain Magical Academy. And please, do call me Osmond, even though you have already taken the liberty to do so."
"Now, now, Osmond. What I ask for is simply good business as it would not do to alienate potential clients. Besides, I am not so cruel as to deny a man his needs."
"And for that you have my thanks."
"Please, do remember that I had better not catch you or your Familiar in the act of satisfying your urges."
*laughter*"By the Founder, if I did not see it firsthand through Chuchu, I could have sworn that you have the heart and mind of a man trapped in a rather fetching woman's body."
*chuckle*"You have no idea, Osmond."
"As for you terms, they are most generous. In fact, if you should ever find yourself in need of assistance, please, do not hesitate to come to my office as it will always be open to you."
"Thank you, Osmond. Rest assured, Chuchu is in safe hands."
"I do have some questions if you would satisfy an old man's curiosity?"
"Of course."
"Why do you serve Louise when you have clearly shown magical abilities?"
"Osmond, after reading about just how much power and influence the Valliere family has, how could I not afford to ingratiate myself into her good graces?"
"Securing a political foundation, hmmmm?"
"And your other question, Osmond," I asked as I ignored his comment.
"Ah yes. Would you be interested in becoming a noble? Not in Tristain, but in Germania."
"Tempting, but not just yet."
"I understand. However, should you ever find yourself in trouble, just ask for Erzherzog Herwald and he should expedite any letters patent."
"Thank you for your generosity. Are there any other questions as I am hoping to meet with Professor Colbert?"
*laughter*"Off with you."
"Have a good day, Osmond."
"You as well, Setsuna."
As Setsuna contined her walk towards Professor Colbert's office, I could not help but feel that I was getting the better end of the deal, considering that all of the items I promised were fairly easy to acquire and cost very little in Guild Wars, but were considered very expensive to purchase due to the many problems that plagued a Rennaissance era society, economy and infrastructure, especially in the small country of Tristain.
"Seriously, whoever wrote the backstory of this game expansion did a pretty good job integrating it into the game. Not to mention that the AI is very impressive in negotiating details on agreements and responding accordingly," I spoke quietly as I heard some laughter coming from some of the nobles from some of the hallways my character passed.
And so, Setsuna found herself in front of Professor Colbert's office and I found myself a bit drained from the lengthy talk with Osmond and decided to save and exit for now.
------
Comments, Constructive Criticisms, Suggestions. As usual, I am open to them.
Author's Note: I have changed the scene in order to show the deal itself.
ZnT/Guild Wars Crossove with PC-Controlled Assassin.