Tap tap squish squish tap tap.
"Woah… you really are a cat, Zeizei! I could touch you all day." Clark said caressing Zein's ears and pinching his cheeks.
"Alright enough with the touching." Zein swatted both hands, clanking against the metal. "Let's get out of here. I need to speak with you."
"But it's so soft!" Clark reached to touch.
"That's what I'm sayin'."
"No." Zein swatted harder.
"Cold!" Clark exclaimed. "You're so cold Zeizei. How could ya treat me like this when I've been waiting here for almost 2 hours!"
"This really is becoming harassment." Zein shivered.
Clark waited in anticipation as Zein's body refused to make him say the next few words. With a hard-fought victory, "But thank you."
"That's my boy."
Jejj raised their finger. Jejj curled it back down, pursing their lips. They didn't know whether to interfere or not. They didn't know whether they could interfere either. "Am I third wheeling?"
Clark noticed. "Hello! Are you a friend? I'm Kalel! As it reads above my head." He pointed to his name with 190 and BLG written next to it. "Jejj is it? Did I pronounce that right? I ain't very good with names. I didn't get this guy's name right for 3 months!" He threw his arm around Zein. "Zeizei she seems cool! Elf melee build."
"I-uh-hello?" Jejj stuttered.
"Kal shut up." Zein slapped Clark's armour with the back of his hand. "And don't use my real name in game."
"I didn't know your real name was Zeizei." He smirked.
"Uh. Should I go?" Jejj asked.
"No!" Zein replied. "No." Zein collected himself. "Do come with us. He's just being annoying."
"Annoying! Lil ol' me? I'm just tryna make you smile and you go and- and call me all that? You're such a rude lil' cat."
"..."
"Kal." Zein refocused. "This is Jejj. I met them in the forest while levelling. We cleared the cave too."
"Ooh not bad Jejj." Clark bobbed his head, eyes closed. "A two-man clear is tough even with a pro like him!" He tightened his arm around Zein. "Say, do you wanna join our guild? We wouldn't mind making exceptions."
"Er… Uh?"
"Clark. Enough. You're scaring them."
"What! Can't a man scout some talent? They seem skilled so I want 'em to join!" Clark explained, eyes on Zein. "What are you jealous?" He dragged his words. "Jealous are we? Zeizei jealous? You know our doors are always open for you." He had his finger on Zein's chest. "I'm sorry if I did scare ya though." Clark apologised with a smile.
"Alright, let's get out of here." Zein grabbed his finger. "Jejj don't take him seriously. Cla- I mean- Kal. We need to get to the accessory shop. They-"
"I want one of 'em hotel boy uniforms. They seem cool." Jejj interrupted.
Clark moved his hand, scratching his head with an awkward laugh. "How do I put this…Eeeh…ehhhh. They ain't selling it anymore."
"What? Why?"
"Something about a hitbox bug with the hat, which is funny cause there are bigger hats and helmets, but I guess the devs never figured it out. Initially, it was just for a lil' bit, but it just got longer and longer and yknow, never came back" Clark explained.
"Was that why I saw so many of those hats…" Zein remembered.
"You're such a smart lil' cat Zeizei!" Clark cooed.
"So, I can't get one no more?"
"Au contraire, mon mere." Clark raised his voice. Confusion turned to displeasure as JJ held themself back from saying anything. Clark continued "The auction house's gotta have it! The devs didn't remove it since there was some pushback and it gave zero defence. They only stopped selling it."
"Is that right? Let's get going then."
"Let's go let's go!" Clark pushed Zein along.
"Ye-Yeah." Jejj tried to match the enthusiasm.
After adding each other as friends, the trio walked down the stone steps of the station. They were greeted by a fountain with an ethereal statue atop it. Made to mimic marble, the statue held a sword to the sky with a shield by its waist. A silk gown flowed from its shoulders with sandals wrapping around its feet. Zein stared at it. Jejj joined his side. Clark continued walking.
Upon reaching the base of the stairs, "Eenie meenie mienie moe…" Clark mumbled as his hand counted the 5 roads. He landed on the middle. "Let's go!" Clark skipped towards it as Zein and Jejj sighed, following.
Their feet joined the clatter of adventurers on the cobblestone street. Mishapen yet charming. The buildings resembled Victorian architecture with their pointed facades and arched windows. They were closely packed, making the street claustrophobic. Their saving grace was the streets being wide enough to fit a multitude of people.
"Does this bring back memories? Zeizei."
"I can't say. Last time I was here I marched to my death."
Clark's eyes, unmoving, solemn. "Yeah… I won't let it happen again."
Jejj watched the two. Clark spotted it. "JJ! You wanna know his lore? I can tell you if ya want!"
"I ain't even say nothing!"
"One need not speak it for it to be heard!" he said like a nobleman.
"Is that your attempt at sounding smart?" Zein asked.
"What!? It wasn't? I thought it was!"
Zein shook his head in disagreement. He turned to face Jejj. "JJ… If you would like to know, I don't mind telling you. It's not that interesting, however."
"Well I wouldn't say that! Considering your infamy bac-" Zein clasped his hand over Clark's mouth.
"Enough. How far are we from the auction house?"
"Mmmph mmmph mmpH mPhmp!"
Zein released his hand.
"We are almost there!"
Clark skipped with whimsy as the other two followed now in fear. Jejj couldn't help but notice something. People moved out of their way. Some in confusion. Some in wonder. Some in fear. Jejj knew Clark was important, but wasn't this too much?
"You a bigshot or something?"
"Maybe I am. Maybe I am not. Maybe the auction house is over there!" Clark pointed to a small circular building with a pointed dome. Standing out amongst the crowd, its ornate windows and tall doors welcomed all. The red, maroon, and white of the house made clear who it bleonged too. The space guild. A guild incharge of all interplanetary travel, whether people, or goods.
"Ah. Hold on. We need to go to the bank first. I have no coins." Zein mentioned.
"Why?" Clark asked.
"So I can exchange my gems for coins…?"
"Why?"
"What… Are you being obtuse on purpose or something? What's going on?"
"Why do ya need to do all that when I am right here?"
"I'm not making you pay!?"
"Oh phooey too late I am paying. You too JJ."
"Me!? Naw I'm-"
"Whaaaat you don't want me too?"
"I'll uuh accept your offer."
"That's what I like to hear!"
They entered the house through the oak doors. Gold greeted them. Gold-plated floors. Gold-plated ceilings. Gold-plated walls. It all glimmered under the chandeliers. Vendors lined the circular room with counters and attendants dressed in similar bellhop uniforms. At the back of the room, glass cases rested atop pedestals. They held expensive items ranging from weapons to monster parts. The adventurers contrasted it- encased in expensive armours with weapons worth an inordinate amount of coins. Mixed within them were the humble- simple white tunics. Armour made from the hide of boars. Boots made of simple slime slabs. All stood stunned by Clark's presence who fluttered towards a free counter. Zein didn't care for the stares. Jejj cared very much.
"Don't like how they staring."
"It's understandable." Zein chuckled. "But that's what happens when you casually stroll in with the 11th largest guild's leader."
"HE THE WHAT!?"
Time stood still. Eyes intensified. Clark stopped mid-skip and turned to Jejj as they leaned in ready to fight.
"Oh? I didn't tell ya JJ? Are you surprised?" He smiled, teeth in full display. "I am Kalel, the leader of the Blue Lightning Guild." he huffed his chest, fists on his waist. "Now, let's head for the counter go go go!" Clark wrapped his arms around both of them and set out.
At the counter, an elf in uniform stood behind the glass pane. "Welcome to the auction house. How may I help you?"
"View auction items." Clark announced.
"Understood."
Their world turned black. Screens tinted orange and gold appeared before them with an overwhelming number of items. Jejj, caught off guard by the suddenness, had their hand on Zein's shoulder. Zein, unphased by the dimension shift, perused the items. Armour crafted by novices. Armour crafted by veterans. Weapons smithed by novices. Weapons smithed by veterans. Potions brewed by novices. Potions brewed by veterans. And so on and so on and so on. It filled the little columns.
"JJ. If you wanna find the uniform, its space guild uniform!" Clark advised.
"Bet. Do I say it?"
"Yeah! You could do that or type it too. If ya speak it, just say 'Find' followed by item name."
"Aight."
"There's some armour here which seems good. It's made by a novice but the stats are decent." Zein entered the conversation.
"Oooh what didja like?"
"Leather chest piece and boots. They're both coated in slime. Gives me armour and increases my strength. It doesn't affect my agility. It's 35 copper and made by someone called Skada." Zein grinned, impressed. "I like it."
"That's really good for the price! Lemme buy it now. JJ, did you find the uniform?"
"Yeah but uh… don't think it's a good idea no more."
"Gimme the price cmon don't be shy now."
"It's 1 gold… Feel uncomfortable asking."
"Annnd done. It has been bought!"
Both items popped in Clark's inventory. He opened it and handed the two their equipment.
"Shall we head out! Let's go go go! I wanna walk around with you guys some more." If Clark had a tail, it'd wag with vigour. The man with the tail, however, had his frozen. "Hold on. There's an egg here. Not taking coins either, only 5 yellow stones. I just need to send in most of my gems. I don't think they'd mind 50 red gems."
"What! Are you for real? That's such a steal! Why has it not been sold yet?"
"I'm not sure but they say they got it in a random normal box from Mow. It just went up."
"Oooh maybe I should buy it then."
Clark searched for it and was disheartened to see it sold to someone named Anodos. "Eh. Was I too late. Aw man… Oh well, let's get outta 'ere. Close auction items."
The void which enveloped them vanished into thin air. The three of them left the counter.
"Whatcha wanna do now?"
"I'm going to finish up some of the side quests so I can get some extra exp. It'll quicken the egg hatching too. JJ what are you going to do?" Zein asked.
"Think imma log off. My head's starting to hurt." Just as they said that Zein's head throbbed. "See ya.." they thought for a moment. "Zei." they concluded. "Don't forget the videos."
Jejj logged out before Zein could respond. Clark waved his hand, a cat-like smile etched across his face.
"Sooo, what videos they talkin' about?"
"Videos on how to use the bow and such. Anyway, let's go. Remember how I said I need to talk to you?"
Zein and Clark rushed out the auction house, reaching an intersection.
"Is this a secret? Do I finally get to learn more lore! These do be exciting times for me."
"No, but have you heard of the Skull Kidds?"
Clark's face lost its previous cheeriness. "The one under Ophis? Yeah."
"So you know about what they've been up to right? With the dungeons and stuff."
"Yeah. Let's keep walking. I'll fill you in on details."
They paced the street. In a building nearby, A man draped in shadow with a sharp overcoat watched on.
"They're on the move, leader. One of them logged out, and Kalel is sticking close to the other. Should I continue my pursuit?"
"Yes. I want to see how long the guild leader BLG keeps this up. If you pick up on anything, report back to me immediately." A gravelly voice came through, laughing. "I can't wait to see what happens next."
Zein equipped the armour while extracting the egg. Zein examined its scaly gold shell as the two descended the street.
"So where you wanna go first?" Clark asked.
"The clinic. I'll finish the herb gathering side quest, I picked some up as I was levelling."
5.
"Oooh not bad. You gonna go to the bank next?"
"Yeah. Either that or finish the blacksmith quest since I got a lot of slime slabs too."
4.
"You could repair ya stuff too!"
"Yeah. The money from both quests should be enough. If it isn't... I can just sell some stuff."
3.
"Why wouldja do that when I'm right here?"
"If I take any more of your money it'll just piss me off."
2.
"That's so rude! All I wanna do is give you my money and you don't take it?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I will need to go to the bank though. Then the inn."
1.
"You wanna take mine? I took up a free one."
"I'll take you up on that, thanks. In any case, back to Skull Kidds, why are the other nine letting them-"
As Zein readjusted his egg, crack. CrrAAaack. An arm popped out, hairy and five-fingered. Another popped out, brown and slick. A head popped out, a tuft of hair swooping behind their head Zein's ears stood straight- confusion in his eyes. Clark's eyes popped out. His mouth shaping an 'O'.
"A monkey?"
"A monkey!"
"Oogie?"