For those requesting I move to putting the pop ups and stat-sheets in tables...I've had some issues trying, and have so far declined to do so until I find a simple way. I can't get the stat sheets to look right, as for some reason it won't let me do things like td width=100% or whatever. If I figure out how to get it to work, I'll punch it in later. Frankly if I *could* get it to work, I would have included more information.
Chapter 5
I decided to 'stay for breakfast'. Not that I was particularly hungry, but I needed something to occupy my mind, and damn it, I wanted pockets. Mostly I ate in silence, with Charles staring at me the entire time. My mind kept going back to the Orichalcum alloy...I mean five percent gold...less than five percent gold, in a steel alloy? Why? I knew that stainless steel could be gotten with a mixture of like ten percent chromium, but...gold? That's not to say you couldn't get a gold-iron mix. I vaguely remembered jewelers coloring gold blue with iron, but even that was at least seventy-five percent gold. It was probably similar to adding lead, which in extremely small quantities made it easier to machine form the material...though I vaguely remembered reading about super-hard gold surfaces being created using pyramid shaped carbon microstructures, that were supposedly harder than steel. He did say the orichalcum was used to change the 'pattern' of the material...maybe he meant crystal structure. Though I wasn't sure how 'mana' applied. I needed to see this process in action, maybe take a few samples for testing...maybe use the fabrication system to make a TEM or X-ray diffraction microscope...
“So, are you going to clean up before putting on the new clothes?” Charles asked, disturbing my daydreaming. Snapping to attention, I looked around the room and saw a couple of clerks wandering toward me with a set of clothes. It had been almost two hours since the women took my measurements, though there had been some dissent, I demanded pants...with pockets. As I looked at the approaching saleswomen, I looked down at my dirty, patchwork clothes and realized...I hadn't bathed. Hell, I don't think I even had a clue what I looked like. I noticed my hands were dirty, marred with dirt. Given the altercation last night, my face probably wasn't any better really.
“Oh...Um, I probably should.” I said, placing down a biscuit that I had been more or less nibbling on absently. “I...don't suppose they have a bathroom.” I said with a frown.
“Doubtfully, though I'm sure they have a water-closet, and probably a wash basin...” Charles said, looking up at one of the women meaningfully. The woman looked at me nervously, more like I was a rabid animal, but said nothing.
“Of course, Miss, this way.” the saleswoman said as I stood up, moving to follower her into a back room. The room had an odd looking toilet in it, and a desk with mirrors, and a small wash basin. I looked at the toilet curiously. I hadn't really seen any sewer systems, and as I brought up the fabrication system, it let me let me peel away layers, making things transparent. The line emptied out into an alleyway out back, into the gutter...I thought I was going to be sick. That smell last night....Oh god.
I swallowed deeply and smiled at the saleswoman who closed the door behind me. It appeared someone had recently filled the wash basin, though the water wasn't warm. As I looked into the mirror, I pause. The face of the girl staring back at me was covered dirt and..something, which I hoped wasn't what I thought it was. Golden-blue eyes stared back through the mess, shimmering somewhat, the light reflecting off the gold much the way sunlight was reflected in the orichalcum earlier. An oval face tapered in a sharp jaw line, framed by almost glowing blonde hair, though even the hair was...marred with back-alley refuse.
Sighing, I began by poking my head out of the room, and asking the woman outside for...more water. When she returned, it was with two buckets full, which she set beside the door. I was honestly surprised she could lift them, but then again I suppose looks can be deceiving around here.
I locked the door as I stripped the clothing from my body, finding it altogether disconcerting. Faith was starting to show real signs of 'maturing', weight at her hips and backside disturbing the otherwise slender athletic form. As I removed the bodice, I immediately felt like I could breath more easily. The straps in the back had been pulled tight, almost eliminating the developing bust, which was creeping into a C-cup even now. Thinking back on Jasmine's form, I frowned. “No...that's not going to do at all.” I muttered to myself, imaging carrying too much excess weight around there. Maybe if I was lucky It'd stop growing...or I could do pushups or something. Since I had a mirror I was able to place my height, using the fabrication system to produce a 'ruler', at around 5'6”, so not as bad as I thought it was going to be.
I began scrubbing myself vigorously to remove whatever the fuck had gotten caked onto my skin. The soap wasn't amazingly effective, and frankly felt a bit caustic. When I Identified it, it appeared to have a good amount of Lye in it. I didn't feel comfortable in this body, but I knew that I wouldn't feel comfortable in this skin until it was clean. God...the things people flushed into the gutters...”Oh god...” I said as I scrubbed harder. I ran through almost the entire bar of soap before I was happy that nothing was left in my hair or on my skin. I was still sopping wet, after rinsing myself clean of the last scrub when the saleswoman wandered into the 'water closet' to check on me. I looked up to see her staring at me with a slack jaw and wide eyed stare. I suppose trying to 'clean up' in their bathroom was perhaps a bit too far. I cleared my throat nervously, about to respond when my gaze caught the mirror.
The woman in the mirror was radiant, her milky white skin flawless and unblemished. A lean neck joined slender shoulder, and her stature was almost...regal in its bearing. Her damp hair glowed in the light, much like her eyes, and I stared at the almost otherworldly or fey-like form I remembered something I hadn't quite paid attention to on my sheet...
I glanced at the window and just frowned...'Alright, that's just stupid. How the fuck is beauty objective? Are we talking golden ratios or something? Who the hell decides that?' I asked myself as I stared at the window with irritation, distracting myself from the vision of beauty positively glowing in the mirror across from me. As I realized I was probably muttering to myself like a madwoman, I turned my attention to the saleswoman and realized I was still standing there stark naked. “Sorry!” I said, reaching down to grab my clothes, causing the saleswoman to shriek.
“NO!” the saleswoman said, causing me to freeze, hunched over the basins. “Don't put those filthy things back on!” she said coming toward me, and trying to usher me out of the water-closet, away from the filthy remains of my bodice and skirt, and the two buckets of fouled sud-water. I tried to object as she pulled me away, but she was firm, and I didn't want to risk hurting her. As we entered a small octagonal room with mirrored walls, she left me standing naked on a raised platform. “Just stay here, I'll get you some undergarments.” she said, disappearing back out the door. I was left staring at my own nude body in a room full of mirrors, though in reality I just kept looking into the reflection of my eyes, lost in the shifting golden luminance.
Before I noticed, two women had come into the room and were fitting me with slender wraps around my hips and waist, and a set of underwear that looked like short silk boxers. One of them 're-measured' my bust and chest, before disappearing back out of the room, returning a corset. Ten minutes later and I had managed to actually be fully dressed again. The attire looked like a blue-gold pant suit, with a tightly fitted blue long sleeve silk blouse, fitted snugly over the corset. It came with a fitted long coat, that looked to have places set aside to fit metal plates into for protection, though they were empty at the moment. A black leather belt slung off of my hips, matching a set of black knee high leather boots. “I could put a holster there.” I said with a smile at the belt, the idea of adding spurs to the boots, and a six-shooter at my hip. A grinned stupidly, causing wry looks from the saleswomen.
Arthur wandered in with Charles, both of them stopping dead when they saw me. There was an awkward minute or two of silence, and as I glanced at my reflection in the mirror it occurred to me that this might become a 'thing'...Maybe I should wear a mask...'Ooh, the lone ranger!' I thought happily.
“I need a mask!” I said with a smile, causing Charles to groan, and Arthur to clear his throat. “I'm afraid we don't carry those...I could provide a hat and veil.” the elderly tailor suggested weakly, before wandering over to check the fit of my clothing. Seemingly satisfied after I held out my arms, and moved around a bit, he 'allowed' me to leave. When I asked about payment, he told me not to 'concern myself', providing me with a with a blue cavalier hat and a thin veil.
I draped the precious metal laden bag over my shoulder, fitting a few gold coins and a couple of platinum back into my pockets. I wasn't sure what to do with the Orichalcum plates, so after altering them slightly, I just slipped them into the plate holders of the jacket to act as 'armor'. The weight wasn't that noticeable to me, though I got very strange looks from Charles who just shook his head in disbelief. “So, shall we go get you your adventuring credentials? Or did you want to stir up more trouble?” Charles asked, once more inciting within me an urge to punch him in the face.
“Well, I thought I might need a sword or something...what types of equipment do Adventurer's normally need?” I asked Charles curiously as we walked down the street, people pressing away from us as Charles walked in front, seeming to discourage approach.
“That would mostly depend on what types of quests they accepted, and their primary jobs. With mages, they tend to procure mana restoration potions, staves, wands, or other things to boost their offensive power. Warriors get armor, swords, shields, maces, and assorted combat options. If you intend to go very far, you'll likely need a mount and barding. Camping equipment for when you're between cities...I could go on.” Charles said, causing me to stare at him intently while we walked, realizing I didn't actually know anything about this man.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Name: Charles Bastier
Race: High Human
Age: 55
Sex: Male
Class: Warrior 40, Noble 10, Knight 30
Subclass: Illuminant Knight 15
Profession: Body-Guard 20
Strength: 160
Dexterity: 110
Endurance: 120
Intelligence: 50
Power: 80
Luck: 60
Health: 1500 HP Health Regen: 24 HP/day
Mana: 500 MP Mana Regen: 8 MP/Day
Skills:
Athletics: 132/400
Climbing: 66/400
Lore: 80/400
Medicine: 70/400
Persuasion: 125/400
Sailing: 150/400
Singing: 82/400
Survival: 110/400
Swimming: 60/400
Woodworking 104/400
Combat Skills:
Longsword: 242/400
Polearms: 60/400
Armor: 221/400
Grappling: 190/400
Blessings: Battle Blessed, Holy Warrior
Traits: Born Leader, Heroic Strength, Superior Health Regeneration, Supernal Health
I blinked as I looked at the sets of windows popping up in front of me. I had seen Heroic Strength on my own, and was curious what it did...but this man looked like he was a juggernaut in war. I had already found him somewhat intimidating, but now I found myself imagining him wading through battle, leaving a path of dead or broken bodies in his wake. I shivered as I realized that there was a lot about this world I had no idea about. I wasn't even sure where I saw information about spells from, since I know that I had 'learned' them. It seemed like the type of thing you'd see pop up on a screen full of stats, though maybe I just didn't know how to 'request' the information?
“Uh...Hello?” Charles asked as we came to a stop, the large man looking down at me quizzically. “Oh...Um, sorry. I was just lost in thought.” I said feeling a bit sheepish, causing him to sigh.
“Well, you haven't said a thing for three blocks.” Charles said, nodding toward a large building across the street. “We're here.” he said, folding his arms over his massive chest. Across a large crowded circular intersection, was a five story building that took up the entirety of a city block. The place looked like it could serve as a fortress if push came to shove, the walls being made of granite and iron. Though there were no 'guard towers', the place had alcoves where armed and armored men sat leisurely chatting. The building seemed to act as a hub for the area, as large amounts of pedestrian traffic found its way through wide archways, with sturdy looking oak and iron doors.
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I wandered in, but the interior, aside from being decorated like an armory, felt more like a mall than anything else. Shops lined stone hallways, peddling everything from camping gear, to armor. I even found a handful of different clothiers, who looked to be selling more...functional attire. As I stared at one of the clothiers, Charles looked down at me, then at the shop, then back to me. Realizing what was going through my head, he just started laughing loudly, and headed toward a large reception area inside of a domed chamber central to the building.
Marble statues of assorted heroes lined open alcoves, each showing off the visage of some greater 'adventurer' of old. A stained glass ceiling illuminated the floor below with images of Adventurers battling dragons, ogres, and other assorted monsters. Tapestries lined the walls, all with similar images of heroic daring-do, though a few had depictions of more menial tasks, such as foraging for plants, or pulling cats from trees. I found the entire décor both mildly inspiring, and also terribly pompous. Pushing the thought from my mind, I worked my way up toward a short line behind a counter while Charles wandered off to chat with some large men in full plate armor.
It took several minutes before my 'turn' came up, and as I stared down at a dark haired twenty-something women with tired violet eyes, she smiled up at me. “Good morning, and Welcome to the Kisk Adventuring Guild. Would you like to join?” she asked warmly, pushing some papers away behind the desk.
“Oh...Um, yes please.” I said looking around my through the thin veil, seeing people filling out the odd paperwork. The woman nodded, and handed me a small clipboard, with a quill and ink pot. “The registration cost is two silver and thirty copper.” she said warmly, as I started reaching into my pockets searching for change.
“Just a second.” I said trying to find which of the many pockets on my I had put the silver coins in. As I fumbled through my pockets, there was a glittering of metal hitting the floor. My grabbing a handful of gold coins, a number of them hit the floor along with two platinum Bak “Shit! Sorry, hold on!” I said frustrated as I transferred the fist full of gold to my coat pocket and started picking up the gold and platinum off the floor. Standing up I smacked my head on the underside of the desk, causing me to grab my head and fall on my ass...Heels...I should have gotten flat soled boots, but I took what they gave me. It was screwing with my balance.
Noticing that more of the coins I'd stuffed my pockets with were piling up I, started forcing stuffing them back in, realizing I should have asked for zippers to go with my pockets. Still, I could make zippers later. Standing up with a few gold coins in my hand, I placed one down on the countertop breathing a sigh of relief. “Sorry, can you break a gold?” I asked, pausing as the woman behind the counter started at me wide eyed, with all signs of exhaustion gone from her face. As I looked around I noticed that most of the room was watching me for some reason, including Charles who just had that stupid grin on his face again.
“Yes...um, I'll get that now...just fill out this...You should stay right here, I'll go get the um...I'll be right back.” the woman said as she got up with the gold coin in hand, rushing into a back room. “Oh whatever.” I said with a sigh, as I began to try and fill out the document...at least I tried to. I was having some issues with getting the ink to deposit.
