"Hm. I could evolve, too?" Keiko opened up her status screen. "Wow..." Keiko looked over the requirements to evolve her Dancer Class.
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Dancer --> Exotic Entertainer
Requirements to Evolve Class
Total Dance Time Out of Combat: 0/600 Minutes
Number of Dances Used: 2/50
Hit Points Restored Through Healing Dance; 0/1,500
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Alistair leaned over and peaked at her screen. "Yeah. That's about what I expected. My Knight evolution was a pain in the a--" Alistair caught himself. 'I better watch my language from now on.' He thought and shook his head. "It was a really big pain." He corrected himself.
'That's not what you were going to say.' She thought to herself and giggled innocently. "Yeah. It's a lot. I guess that's my only choice for a dancer evolution. I'll do it, though. I must start when we get back. Come on, Papa! Let's find some enemies!" Keiko grabbed Alistair's massive hand in both of her sweet, delicate hands and started tugging gently.
"Haha. Okay, okay, we're going sweet Keiko." He chuckled softly as the two of them walked slowly, hand in hand.
"Hey, Papa?" She looked up at Alistair.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Alistair kept his eyes peeled as he responded.
"How did you get that chest that you summoned?" Keiko thought back to the chest that rose from the ground.
"Oh, that?" Alistair chuckled under his breathe. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Of course I would believe you, Papa!" She squeezed his hand. "How? I wanna know. Pretty please?" She gave her best puppy dog eyes.
'My heart. Now I know how Tamanari felt.' He sighed in defeat. "Very well. You don't play fair, Keiko." He rubbed the top of her head gently. "It was a legendary drop from a Field Boss."
"A...field boss? Wow. It must have been a lot of work. How many people were involved?" She surveyed their surroundings but still found nothing. 'Where are all the monsters?'
"That's the part that's hard to believe. I beat it solo." He placed his free hand on top of his head and ran his hand backwards through his silver locks.
"N-no way. How?! Field bosses are supposed to be as strong, if not stronger, than most dungeon bosses. It usually takes a raid team to even stand a chance against one." Keiko's jaw dropped. 'He's pranking me. He has to be...'
"Usually. However..." Alistair scratched the back of his head nervously. "I can solo some of them. If I can learn their attack patterns and timing. I'm not saying it was easy to beat alone. There were plenty of times I thought I was going to die, but I managed to survive. It took three whole days alone. My body hurts just thinking about that fight."
"Unbelievable. Papa, you must be incredibly strong!!" She giggled happily and squeezed Alistair's hand. 'If he's so strong, I'm in good hands. I don't have to worry anymore.' She smiled wide.
"I'm not that str--" Alistair stopped and picked Keiko up in his arms with one swift motion.
"P-Papa?!" Before Keiko could get her bearings, Alistair pulled out Hina and swung the massive greatsword with one hand.
Ting, Ting! Two arrows were instantly cut in half and fell to the ground behind Alistair.
"Get ready, Keiko." Alistair sniffed the air and his nose wrinkled. "Undead. Fire works best against them." He put down the small girl who was in his arms.
"Right!" Keiko's hands went to her hips and she removed her pistols from the holsters on her side.
An enemy stepped out from the shadows, bones with bits of flesh still dangling on his body. It let out a piercing scream as it nocked another arrow.
"There's more coming. Underneath us!" Alistair jumped backwards as a bony hand shot up from the ground beneath him. The hand tried to snatch his ankle but failed due to Alistair's quick reflexes.
"Papa!" Keiko pointed her guns towards the skeletal hand. "Flame Shot!" The pistols glowed red and two fireballs formed in front of the barrels. "Fire!" The twin balls of flame grew larger and launched towards the skeleton's hand.
"Raaarghhhh." It let a chilling scream as it burned into ash. Three more sets of hands shot from the ground. Two skeletons clambered out from their makeshift tombs while the third set of hands grabbed Keiko's ankles.
"Ahhh!" She screamed and tried to break free.
An arrow whistled through the air and pierced Keiko's arm. She grunted and grasped the arrow, yanking it from her arm.
"Keiko!" Alistair rushed the archer skeleton and quickly closed the distance, dodging to the side to avoid the arrow aimed for him. "Twin Slash!" He shouted as he raised his greatsword above his head. "Now die!" He brought the blade down vertically and then quickly slashed in a horizontal motion. The skeleton drop to the ground dead and fell into a bunch of tiny pieces.
"Flame Shot!" Keiko shouted as she aimed her pistols at her feet. Two more fireballs formed and shot straight down into the ground. The hands around her ankles turned to ash and Keiko took the opportunity to jump backwards. "Again. Flame Shot!" She took aim at the other set of hands. Another explosion sent another scream into the air as the second skeleton turned to ash.
Alistair ran to the last of hands as the skeleton tried to free itself from the dirt. "Stay down! Earth Shatter!" Alistair leaped into the air and aimed his greatsword at the ground. He plummet to the ground, slamming Hina into the dirt. The ground trembled and the skeleton could be heard screaming as the ground shifted. The bony hands went lip and then fell apart. "Whew. I think that's it.." Alistair sat down on the ground and sighed. "What were they doing out here...?"
"I'm not sure. I don't like the undead, though. They are scary." Keiko whispered as she walked to Alistair's side. "Hold on, Papa. I'll heal us." Keiko began to dance and hum a sweet tune as she spun around in place a few times.
"Keiko..." Alistair watched as the little Neko performed her healing dance. He smiled as he watched the puncture wound on her shoulder heal. Alistair felt his fatigue being washed away and felt rejuvenated.
"That's beautiful, Keiko." Hina smiled as she listened to her humming a song.
"Done. All better, Papa?" Keiko looked down at the young man on the ground.
"Yep." Alistair flung to his feet, full of energy and vigor. "Thank you, sweetheart." Alistair rubbed the top of her head gently.
"Hehe. I'm glad you liked my dancing." She closed her eyes and giggled softly. 'I want to stay with you, Papa.' She thought to herself and smiled happily.
"Okay. Let's take another look around before we head back. Keep your eyes open." Alistair turned around and sheathed his weapon on his hip.
"Boo. I wanted to slay more bony men." Hina pouted.
"Haha. Auntie Hina you're so silly." Keiko giggled as she sped up to walk beside Alistair. She reached her hand out towards his hand.
Alistair looked down to see her hand reaching for his and chuckled softly. He stretched his arm out and grabbed her hand gently. 'This feels so surreal. I sincerely hope this isn't a dream.' He looked down at the sweet child beside him. "There's someone I want you to meet when we get back."
"Oh? Who is it, Papa?" She looked up curiously. "If your friends with them then they must be nice, too!"
"She is nice. I really like her. " Hina spoke up.
"I hope you will, too. She's really an amazing woman. Beautiful and sincere." Alistair smiled as he spoke of his lover.
After another hour of patrolling, they returned to the manor empty handed. "I wish we could have found some more monster materials." Alistair frowned as he and Keiko walked into his pen.
"There's always tomorrow, Papa." Keiko wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. 'I don't want him to look sad.'
"Aw, how adorable." Hina whispered softly.
'Did I make her worry?' Alistair crouched down and wrapped her up in his arms. "You are right, Keiko. There's always tomorrow. Speaking of which, I need to see if she can take us to town tomorrow."
"She?" Keiko looked to the side at Alistair.
"Yes. Her name's Tamanari. I hope you'll like her." Alistair looked at Keiko and frowned. "Look at you, you're filthy. Hang on." Alistair's chest rose from the ground. He pulled out a bar of soap, a towel and some other necessities. Then he pulled out a small metal bin, big enough for her to fit. "I'm going to get some water. I'll be back." The chest disappeared as Alistair left to fill up the bin at the pond outside the slave pen.
Several minutes later, he returned with the metal bin full of water. "A bath?" Keiko questioned and looked up at her Papa.
"Yes. Go ahead and strip, sweetie. I'll warm up the tub." Alistair put some soapy liquid into the tub and it filled with bubbles. "Flame Lance." Alistair summoned the fire in his hand and placed it against the metal bin. Steam started to rise as the water was heated. "Okay. I'm going to cover my eyes. Get in when your ready." Alistair covered his eyes.
"O-Okay, Papa." Keiko whispered bashfully as she removed her clothes. She watched him heat up the tub and her eyes went wide as Alistair added the bubbles. "How did you do that, Papa?" She watched as Alistair covered his eyes. She walked around and climb into the tub, giggling as she submerged herself into the hot water. "This is nice. I've never had a bath like this before." She explained and started playing with the bubbles.
"Haha. Well, next time I promise I'll give you a bigger tub and some toys to play with. For now..." Alistair scooped up some bubbles and put them under Keiko's chin like a beard. "Enjoy your bubble bath, and your new beard." Alistair laughed loudly.
"You're mean, Papa." She pouted and scooped up some bubbles, too. She quickly lunged at him and placed some bubbles under his chin, as well. "Now we match, Papa!" She giggled happily.
"Haha. You two are so cute together. Just like a real family." Hina watched the scene in front of her and couldn't help but wish she could join them.
"Papa. Can Hina join us?" She looked to Alistair's companion.
"Hm. The water would hurt the blade, but..." Alistair grabbed Hina by the hilt and placed her in the water, blade facing down and the hilt sticking up above the water. "If I polish her afterwards it should be fine."
"M-Master...!" Hina was thrilled as she felt the hot water cover her blade. "Haha!" She giggled happily as Keiko covered her in bubbles.
"What about you, Papa?" Keiko looked to Alistair.
"I'll take my bath in a little bit, sweetie. Enjoy yourself before it gets cold. I still need to wash your hair." He looked up and turned around to see Tamanari standing in the door.
"Did she just call you...Papa?" Tamanari stared at Alistair. She walked up to Alistair and hugged him. "Why didn't you mention you had a daughter? I can't believe you would keep this from me. She's so adorable." Tamanari looked to Keiko and smiled.
"Well the thing is, love. She isn't really my daughter..." He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled away for a moment. They locked eyes as Alistair explained the days events. "So, you see, I've basically adopted her." Alistair squeezed Tamanari's hand. "Well?"
"If that's what you want, my sweet Alistair, I'll support you. I'll do everything I can for you and her." She smiled softly at her Wolfborn lover.
"Tamanari..." Alistair sighed happily and cupped her face in his hands. "I love you." He leaned forward and kissed her lips softly.
Keiko watched the exchange in a nervous state. 'I hope she likes me...' Keiko listened to everything intently. When Alistair leaned in and their lips locked, Keiko covered her face with her hands and blushed. "Papa..." She pouted softly.
"Haha. I think she's a little jealous you are doting on me and not her." Tamanari nudged Alistair's shoulder gently. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"
"Oh, right. Keiko." Alistair slid over to the tub and placed his hand on her head. "This is Tamanari. Tamanari. I want you to meet my daughter." He smiled happily, his tail quickly wagging back and forth behind his back.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tamanari. Papa has spoken good things about you." She smiled as Alistair rubbed her head lovingly.
"Likewise, sweetie. You are such a precious little thing. What's he been saying about me?" Tamanari pinched Keiko's cheeks playfully and grinned at Alistair.
"He said you were beautiful and sincere. Haha. Papa also gave me a bubble beard and I gave him one, too." She giggled.
"I would like to have seen that beard. I think he's cuter without facial hair." She chuckled softly. "Oh, really? I'm beautiful?" She grinned at Alistair.
"Of course. Your long hair is also really pretty." Keiko stared in awe at Tamanari's very long hair.
"Oh, speaking of hair..." Alistair reached over and grabbed a bottle of shampoo he grabbed earlier. "I still need to wash yours." He poured some shampoo into her hair and gently began to massage it into her hair.
"Ahh." She closed her eyes and sighed as Alistair scrubbed her head and carefully cleaned her ears.
Tamanari leaned on the edge and rested her head on her arms, gazing at Alistair focus on his task. 'He will be a great father.' She gazed lovingly at the man who stole her heart.
"Okay, sweetheart. Wash your hair out and then you can have five more minutes. The water will be getting cold soon." Alistair slid back onto his bed and laid down as he watched Keiko start playing with the bubbles. She was laughing the whole time.
"You are something else, my love." Tamanari snuck her way towards him and laid her head against his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist at the same time.
"You think so?" Alistair wrapped his arm around her and started rubbing her back softly. "I just do what mother always told me. Bring good deeds to those who have been forsaken, even if nothing is given in return." Alistair closed his eyes. "I wonder if she would be proud of the man I've become."
"I'm certain she is proud, Alistair. You are an amazing man despite everything that you've endured, you've never lost your heart." She placed one hand on his chest, over his heart. "Never lose that kindness."
"As long as you are always by my side, that won't happen." He placed his hand over her's and sat up slowly. "Okay, sweetheart. You ready to get out?"
"Yes!" She giggled and popped a few bubbles as Alistair made his way back.
He picked up the towel and held it up as Keiko stepped out of the makeshift tub. "Alright, let's get you dry, love." He started drying off the little girl and then covered her body with the towel. "Hm. Clothes. That's what I'm missing. Hey, Tamanari." Alistair called for his lover as he picked up the nearby comb and began brushing Keiko's hair.
"Yes, Alistair?" She walked over and took a seat near them.
"Is there any chance we could visit a nearby town tomorrow? I would like to pick up a few things for her and maybe make some money." Alistair finished brushing her hair and tied it back with a simple pony tail. Afterwards, he removed Hina and sat her to the side for the time being.
"Yeah. I can see about getting us to town. I don't know how you plan on making money, though." Tamanari closed her eyes slowly. 'I wonder why he's so concerned about money now. Is it because of Keiko?'
"There. All done. I don't have much, but..." Alistair pulled out one of his shirts he had been hiding. "It'll be big but it should work as pajamas for the night. Hands up."
"Okay, Papa!" She giggled and raised her arms above her head. Alistair easily slipped his large shirt over her body and then removed the towel from under the shirt. "Hehe. It's warm and smells like you, Papa." She pulled his shirt up around her face and sniffed his shirt happily.
"So cute." Alistair placed his hand on top of her head and gently scratched the top of Keiko's head.
"Hehehe." Tamanari giggled.
"Something wrong, Tamanari?" Alistair looked up.
"Nothing. Just admiring how much a wonderful man you are." She reached her hand out and caressed Alistair's cheek with the back of her hand. "I love you."
"And I love you." He kissed the palm of her hand. "Okay. It's time for bed, sweetheart." Alistair leaned down and kissed Keiko's cheek.
"Okay, Papa." Keiko crawled over to Alistair's bed and snuggled into the hay.
Alistair reached over and grabbed Hina. He started polishing the blade and drying the water off. "She's so precious." Alistair whispered and sighed heavily. He placed Hina up for the night.
"What's wrong, love?" Tamanari snuggled into Alistair's lap and laid her head on his chest.
"She doesn't deserve this life, Tamanari. None of us do, but she is more important. I don't want her to have this life." Alistair looked to the little girl beside him. "I'll buy our freedom. Some how, some way, we will be free." Alistair clenched his fists tightly. 'I WILL give you a better life.'
"Alistair..." Tamanari kissed his forehead gently. "I know you will, and I'll do everything I can to support you."
"I know you will. I hope you can work things out tomorrow. I really would like to buy her a few necessities." Alistair reached over and tussled the little girls hair. "I just want her to be happy and healthy."