Alistair awoke a little while later. The sun had already begun to set. He yawned softly but kept his eyes closed for awhile. 'I must have dozed off. Why does my arm feel so heavy..?' Alistair decided to open his eyes. 'W-what..?!' Laying beside him in nothing but a white towel, was a semi nude Tamanari. 'She...fell asleep next to me.' Her head was resting on his chest and she had one arm wrapped around him. She was snoring lightly and all Alistair could do was stare at her. 'She's...so beautiful...' He reached out his hand slowly and gently caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.
"Mmm." Tamanari moaned lightly and her eyes fluttered open sleepily. "Alistair?" She blushed deeply when she realized the state she was in currently. "Ah! I-I'm sorry! I'll go change right away!" She went to jump up.
"W-wait--!" Alistair's hand shot out quickly and grabbed her wrist gently. 'What am I...doing?'
"A-Alistair..?" Tamanari looked back into his eyes and quickly covered her blushing face with her free hand. "It's so embarrassing having you stare at me when I'm in such a vulnerable state, but..." She chewed nervously on her thumb. "But I kind of like it since it's you, Alistair." She whispered sheepishly.
"Tamanari...I..." He looked away for a moment before turning back to meet her gaze. "I wouldn't mind if...you were my first..." Alistair's heart started banging against his chest. 'What are you saying, Alistair?' He swallowed hard and shook his head. "N-nevermind. Forget I said that." He let go of her wrist and turned his attention away once more.
"Alistair..." Tamanari was certain her face would stay red forever. 'He wants me to be..his first? He's not a virgin, so that means that...' Tamanari reached over and cupped his face in her hands. "Are you sure? You don't have to force yourself, love. If you really mean it, I would be honored. This will be a first for me, too, but I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have as my first. Just..be gentle, okay?"
"Of course. I'll treat you as delicately as a flower." Alistair reached over and turned off the nearby light, cloaking the two figures in darkness. Soft moans filled the void in the room.
Morning came all to quickly for the two lovers. After their night of passion, Alistair found it incredibly difficult to leave her side. The two laid in bed together, snuggled tightly against one another. "Wow..." Tamanari chewed on her bottom lip. "That was amazing, Alistair." She curled up on his chest and laid her head under his chin.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away last night." Alistair commented as his hands traced all the love bites up and down her collar bone and chest.
"Don't be. You left them where nobody could see them, plus, it's kind of like you marked me as yours." She blushed at her comment and kissed his bare chest a few times. "You should get ready to head back. They'll be coming to check on you soon. I'll find a way to sneak you in again tonight, okay?" She kissed his lips lovingly and stood up to get dressed.
"Okay, love." Alistair followed her for a moment. "Before I go..." He leaned down and grabbed her chin. "I love you." He kissed her one more time before taking a step backwards. "Invisibility." He whispered and his body slowly faded from view.
"I love you, Alistair. Please stay safe." She whispered after the kiss. 'I really do love you. We should run away together. I'll find a way to disarm that damn bomb on your wrist.' She thought to herself. 'That's what I'll tell him tonight.'
Alistair quickly raced back to his room, passing the Slave Driver along the way. 'He is coming. I have to hurry.' He picked up his pace and dashed into his pen. 'Deactivate!' The Invisibility spell turned off and Alistair was visible again. 'Just in time.' He thought as the Slave Driver stepped into his room.
"Alright, mutt. Ready for your five hours again? Doesn't matter if you aren't. Grab your gear. We are sticking you with a new slave. Do what you want, just finish your job and come back, alone if you must." The Slave Driver explained the area of Alistair's patrol today.
"Yes, sir." Alistair acknowledged his orders and eyed the Slave Driver as he departed. "A new slave? That's a new one. They usually don't pair us off. What makes this one so different?" Alistair gathered his belongings. "Are you ready, Hina?"
"Of course, Master. I'm always ready. You sure are in high spirits today. Did something good happen last night?" Hina teased.
"You could say that." Alistair blushed as memories of last night filled his mind. Tamanari's moans still filled his ears.
"Master!" Hina started to glow red.
"Hina..are you...blushing?" Alistair looked down at the red glowing greatsword.
"O-Of course! You can't just go around showing an innocent maiden like myself such lewd images without a little warning!" Hina exclaimed loudly, her embarrassment evident.
"Hey, I never told you to read my mind so that's on you, sweetie." Alistair shrugged and chuckled softly. "Now, come on, we've got a job to do."
"Whatever you say, Master. Hmph!" She pouted and went silent for awhile.
"You are such a spoiled child sometimes, Hina." Alistair joked and patted the hilt of his sword. "Don't be mad at me. I'll make it up to you if you'll forgive me."
"That depends on what you had in mind." Even though she didn't have a human form, Alistair felt like she was sticking her tongue out at him.
"Well, I have this special blend of polish..." Alistair commented and smirked. 'That should draw her in.'
Hina gasped. "You're forgiven, Master! Of course you're forgiven!" She said in a sing song tone. Hina giggled happily.
'Hook, line, and sinker.' Alistair grinned. "Why thank you so much, your majesty. I'm humbled by your generosity." He chuckled softly and placed his hand on the hilt of his blade. "He said the new slave was supposed to be around here." Alistair commented and raised his nose to the wind. 'There.' He thought to himself after a few seconds.
Alistair followed his nose until eventually they came to the open plains on the outskirts of the Kawagami Estate. Laying several feet away from him was a small, curled up child napping in the sun. "Wait.." Alistair got a closer look as he drew near the child. She had long black hair with two cute little black cat ears and a tail. "She's a neko, and she can't be more than ten years old. What the hell...?" Alistair growled softly. 'He won't get away with this.'
"Mmm. Ahhh." The young girl napping in the sun yawned softly and stretched her arms and legs out. "Oh. H-hello." The young girl's timid voice reached his ears as she rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Are-are you the one I'm waiting for...?"
"I believe so. My name is Alistair Silver. You can just call me Alistair. What's your name, sweetie?" He offered his hand towards her. She flinched slightly as he drew near. "Hey, it's okay. You're safe now. I won't let them hurt you. What's your name?"
"I-I don't have one. They told me we don't deserve names...I'm so scared." She sobbed quietly into her hands.
'What did they put you through?' Alistair clenched his fists. "They just say that to make us seem less human in their eyes. By denying us a name, they make it seem as though we aren't alive and thus it makes it easier for them to treat us this way. You didn't have a name before?" Alistair asked trying to change topics.
"Mm-mm. They never gave me one or told me I had a name before." She tried to dry her eyes but the tears kept being replaced.
'No name, huh? Well every one deserves a name, so I'll have to come up with something.' Alistair reached his hand out slowly and placed it on top of the young girls head. "Would it be alright if I gave you a name?" He asked and began to gently pet the top of her head.
She flinched when this man once again reached his hand out towards her. She shut her eyes tight. 'Please don't hurt me.' She thought to herself but when nothing happened she grew confused. 'A name? He wants to...give me a name?' When he started to gently rub the top of her head, she found herself wanting more. She rubbed her head against his hand and a soft purr escaped her lips. "!" She quickly covered her mouth and retreated, face red from embarrassment.
"Haha. Adorable." He chuckled softly. "Do you see now? I don't want to hurt you." His tail moved back and forth slowly. "Would you like me to name you?"
'He's smiling...and laughing? He's so...carefree and gentle.' She thought to herself and crawled back towards him. "Why are you being so nice?" She sniffed softly.
"Why do I need a reason to be nice? I do it because it's the right thing. Here." He took out some tissues and gently pressed them against her nose. "Blow." She did as he instructed and shut her eyes when he started to dry her nose.
"T-that hurts..." She complained. 'But he's being kind to me..it's nice..' She smiled and looked up at this tall man with wolf ears. "Yes, I would like a name, but only if you come up with it.." She looked away shyly.
"Hm." Alistair pondered out loud. 'Well, I always wanted a daughter. I never thought that would happen, but if it did I would have named her Keiko.' Alistair smiled at the little girl in front of him. "What do you think of Keiko?"
"Keiko?" The neko mused over the name. "What's it mean?"
"It means blessing. It suits you well, don't you think?" He smiled softly at Keiko and rubbed the top of her head once more. "Because I think you will be a blessing."
"Alistair...no..." She stopped and dried her eyes on the sleeve of her shirt. "Would it be alright if...I mean could I..." She chewed on her bottom lip. "Could I call you papa?" She covered her face with her hands. "Nevermind. Forget I asked that. I've just never had one before..."
'Papa...?' Alistair thought his heart was going to give out. "If that's what you want, sweetie." He wrapped her up in his arms and held her tight. "Just think of me as your papa and I'll think of you as my daughter." Alistair rested his chin on top of her head. 'I'm a...father now...'
"Well isn't that sweet." Hina's voice rang out. "If you're her papa, does that make me an Auntie or a big sister?"
"Who's talking, papa?" Keiko looked around in confusion.
"Ah, of course. Let me introduce you." Alistair removed the greatsword from his hip and held it in front of him. "This is Hina. She is my blade and my partner."
"Hello young one. I'm Hina. It's a pleasure to meet you, Keiko." Hina giggled happily.
"Whoa. She can talk?! That's amazing!" Keiko giggled innocently and grabbed the hilt of Alistair's blade. "It's a pleasure to meet you, too!" She shook the blade up and down like she was shaking someone's hand.
"You are so sweet!" Hina giggled happily.
"Alright ladies. We've got a job to do. Keiko, you mind if I check your status screen?" Alistair looked to the little neko who sat in front of him.
"Mm-mm. You can look, papa!" She smiled sweetly.
"Okay. Check Status: Keiko!" A status screen popped up displaying Keiko's statistics.
Keiko Silver - GunDancer
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Level 11 - Experience: 1,000/9,000
Health: 3,000 | Mana: 2,500
Strength: 250
Constitution: 300
Dexterity: 400
Intelligence: 150
Wisdom: 150
Charisma: 250
Skills: Hail of Bullets, Spinning Death, Coin Flip, Healing Dance,
Over Soul: ???
Magick: Flame Shot, Thunder Shot, Ice Shot, Water Shot
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'What's Over Soul? That's a new one. Do I have it, too?' Alistair checked his own screen and sure enough, he now had a spot for over soul, too. 'I wonder what that means. Never seen it before. Oh well. Back to Keiko.' He looked back to his daughter. "Hm. A Gundancer, huh? That's a very rare hybrid class. Good health and dexterity. You only have one dance right now, though it should be a useful one. Okay." Alistair clapped his hands together and her screen disappeared.
"What did you think, papa?" Keiko waited patiently to hear his thoughts.
"You have an awesome foundation. You can channel your mana into your guns and fire elemental shots which is amazing. Plus with your healing dance we should have all our bases covered. I'll have to pick up some skills to draw aggro now. I've been fighting alone for a long time so those skills have always been at the bottom of my priority list." Alistair opened up his status screen. 'I still have some unused skill points. I'll have to look at my unlockable skills later.'
"Hehe. I'm happy to hear that. Okay, what are we supposed to be doing out here?" Keiko looked at this tall man. 'He's so big. It's almost scary, but he has a kind heart.' She giggled sweetly to herself.
'Hm?' Alistair was curious as to what she found amusing. "Our job is simple. We are to patrol and slay any monsters we come across. That's pretty much the way it is everyday. I'll handle the front lines, Keiko. Watch my back and pick the enemies off from a distance, but don't stray to far from my side. That way I can still reach you." Alistair explained the plan to her.
"Okay. I have these." She pulled out a pair of old, rusted pistols.
'Those look old. Hm. I wonder if I could get Tamanari to take us into town for some new equipment.' Alistair thought to himself. "Can I see those really quick?"
"Of course, papa!" She flipped the pistols in the palm of her hands and spun them so the handles were pointed towards Alistair.
"Impressive." He chuckled softly and took the pistols in his own hands. "Hm. Okay. Let's see what I can do with these. Come forth that which devours my will." The magic brown trunk appeared from the ground at his side. It opened slowly with a creak. "Ok, should have something in here." Alistair dug around inside his chest for a few minutes. 'Good thing I've been saving all those monster materials.'
-----------------
Removed Items:
Merfish fin x2
Goblin Fangs x4
Direbear Fur x3
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"What are you doing, Papa?" Keiko scooted over to his side to watch him work.
"It's called Synthesis. It's a type of smithing skill that allows you to combine materials and weapons. You can also combine materials to make items. It's a really useful skill. I've even started taking up blacksmithing." Alistair explained what he was doing to her guns.
-----------------
Lost:
Antique Pistols
Merfish fin x2
Goblin Fangs x4
Direbear Fur x3
Gained:
Refined Pistols +1
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-----------------
Refined Pistols +1
Basic starting equipment for the Gunner Class. They've been refined to be slightly better than a normal pair.
25 DPS
Chance of Flinching +25%
-----------------
"Wow. That's so cool! You're amazing, Papa!" Keiko exclaimed happily. She took the pistols from him and looked them over. "They are so pretty!" Keiko aimed the guns and looked down the sights several times, trying to get a feel for them.
"Haha. They aren't that special, sweetheart, but thank you for making me feel good about my work." Alistair watched her trying to get used to the new weapons. 'She is so young and innocent. I have to protect her.'
"Well I still think that you're incredible!" She giggled loudly. "Okay. Are we ready to go on our patrol now?"
"Yes, Master, are we? You are being so cautious. I'll look after her. Trust me, and trust her." Hina spoke up after watching everything unfold.
"Okay. Let's do this ladies." Alistair rose to his feet and dusted himself off. "Come on, Keiko." Alistair reached his hand down to help her stand.
"Thanks, Papa! Hehe." She giggled and took his hand. She rose to her feet and dusted herself off.
'Papa. Haha. Still sounds weird to hear, but I think I could get used to it. Plus, she's so sweet.' Alistair chuckled softly. They started their walk around the area and began their patrol.
"Where are you from, Keiko?" Alistair tried to fill in the silence as they walked.
"An old bar near the capital city." Keiko responded casually. "I used to be a dancer for the bar. The lady who owned the place treated me very well. She's the one who insisted I take up a combat class. I chose the Gunner because it's what she used to be when she was an adventurer."
"Ah. That's a pretty amazing story." Alistair looked down at the sweet angel walking beside him. 'It will be so different for her here. I must figure out a way to buy our freedom.'
"What about you, Papa? What classes did you choose and why?" Keiko looked up at the man she had come to call her new father.
"I took the fighter and sorcerer classes. I eventually evolved from fighter into the knight class. I did all that for my mother, but in the end, I wasn't strong enough to save her. I picked up the sorcerer class sometime later so I could maximize my damage output. Tanking solo wasn't getting me anywhere and I figured high damaging AOE spells would make up the difference in power." Alistair explained his reasons to the young neko girl.
"I see." She frowned at his story. 'He lost his mother, too.' She looked around the area and found no sign of monsters so she kept the conversation going. "I know the fighter class, but what's the Knight class and how do you evolve them?"
"Each class can evolve into a more specific archetype. Fighter has one of the highest number of archetypes. The Knight is more focused on an offensive style. It features a lot of two handed and sword/shield skills. However the knight class also gains some of the best skills for drawing aggro. You can usually see the requirements for a class evolution in your status screen. Go ahead and look. Tell me what you see." Alistair finished his long explanation.
"Hm. I could evolve, too?" Keiko opened up status screen. "Wow..."