AOS: First Meeting

Nef had just left the guild hall after checking the preparations for their guild event, and she was clutching a shopping list in her hand. Although she felt excited that her good friend was joining the game, she also felt oddly nervous because of their competition. She eyed every player who passed her with suspicion, scanning them to see if they could, just maybe, be Kieran. Eventually she made it to the marketplace zone of Pen D'Lum, and started looking for the stuff on her shopping list. "Okay... sugar, colored construction paper, food dye, cellophane wrapping..." She suspiciously eyed the final item in the list. "... 4 buckets of paint and a jar of glitter?" She eyerolled. Pepper was definitely the guilty party of this final item. Ignoring it for the time being, Nef set out to seek the food part of the shopping list. God, the market is really packed at this hour...

Sirius felt quite claustrophobic in the busy market place as the number of players increased. However, despite his frustration, he was on a mission. Though he supposed the mission on finding Anita was more of a sidequest at the current moment. Whether he knew who was Anita or not, one must always check out what is in stock in order to calculate what weapons and items he needed from quests or simple EXP and to level up quickly. After all, he didn't want to stay at such a low level for long. Hence he put his stats on private. Anita's level is probably higher considering how much she playe. Then again, it was Anita. Her level shouldn't be too far ahead...  He hadn't seen Anita play MMOs for awhile but she remembered when she did play. Though he was curious if she had actually improved...
Though perhaps logging on at peak hour was a bad idea.
"Tch, even in the game world people are noisy- Excuse me, ladies, but do you know the concept of roads? I suggest you don't stand in the middle of it if you don't want to get run over," he said simply pushing into them out of the way. Of course, they gave him a shocked and angry look but he simply smirked. "I don't think you are going last long playing this game if you still don't know the concept. After all, who the just /stands/ in the middle of a busy street? No one."
"God, you could say it more politely," one mumbled as Sirius simply rolled his eyes.
"But you'll never learn, after all, even 5th graders can understand that if you stand in the middle of the street you are likely to get hit by a car. Oh yes, and courtesy. However, I am not wasting my breath with people who think lmao is how french people laugh," he snorted before continuing on his way to check out the stores. He raised his eyebrows looking at the items on sale. "Why would you need glitter  in an MMO? What does it even benefit?" 
As the shrewd Avion moved himself to the food section to look for more /useful/ items for healing and increasing his stats he suddenly bumped into another, shorter player. Food slipped out the others hands and instively he caught it using his reflexes (and his wings helped catch them middle air too). "Hey! Shorty you need to watch where you are going!"

Just as Nef had been checking out a jar of glitter, thinking of whether or not she should buy it for Pepper after all - it could be useful it they wanted to put up a banner - she heard a commotion not too far off. Perking her head slightly between the crowds, she saw a player pushing people around. They seemed perfectly well with the fact they were shoving people around and insulting them; how rude. Even if I'm just acting, I wouldn't wanna be that kind of stuck-up asshole. The sight of this player annoyed her a bit, but unless it got personal, she figured she might as well just finish her shopping.
But, unfortunately, it seemed she wasn't gonna finish her shopping peacefully. The player bumped into her, making her drop some of the stuff she was holding. She took a better look at him. Seemed like an Avion, and a pretty tall one at that. Not only he was being an asshole to her, he had also called her shorty. "Uhh, what the fuck??" If you listened quietly, you could've heard Nef snap. "Look here, princess perfect, if you come bumping onto me and make me drop my stuff, maybe you should be more fucking careful when you're walking around, no?" She gave him a smile that twitched at the corners, and a glare that could kill. "Now how about you get outta my way before I get really angry and kick your ass?"

Sirius blinked for a moment as he realised, yes he was in the wrong there. He honestly could relate to the girls point of view there. Perhaps he was still annoyed at those girls from blocking the road so inconsiderately? It annoyed him especially when it came to the players whom attempted to cross their path but were ignored. At least he caught the girls goods.
"Yeah, sorry about that I was ju-" he murmured awkwardly then suddenly cut off. Wait did she call him princess? Was she insinuating something?  "Well excuse me, Ms Baggins, but why don't you be more aware of the people around you?" he glowered, putting his hands on his hips. He then snorted when the other threatened him with violence. "Oh, threatening someone with violence now? You know in the real world that would be considered a criminal offense, y'know? I suppose you are one of those types," he sneered (although he soon realised how hypocritical that was considering how passive and polite he was in real life).
"Not that I am not surprised honestly," he continued as juggled an apple with one hand from food items he had caught. "A girl who cannot control her temper can hardly be civil or educated enough to solve conflict other than violence. Hell, you don't even have the courtesy of thanking me for saving some of your items. Does the word thank you mean anything to you?"
"Disappointing that the MMOs are still full of losers who think basic etiquette doesn't apply to them online, even when it's virtual reality. It's sad that this isn't surprising to me." He looked at the food in his hands. "I shouldn't even give them back really, but lions don't concern themselves with the opinions of sheep. I have better things to do. I need to find her to make sure she is safe..." Sirius threw back the apple and handed her the rest of goods. "Considering the folk around here, I hope she doesn't get into trouble." He had a concerned and distressed look on his face before he quickly did a short transaction with one of the NPCs.
"I hope she doesn't meet anyone as violent as you."

Nef sighed. Did she burst out too much? Maybe, but this guy was really getting under her skin. "Isn't it kind of hypocritical to call me out on my manners when you were pushing people around? If you don't wanna deal with that, then don't log in during the peak hours. And..." She took back her stuff. "... it's only common sense to catch someone's stuff if you made them drop it in the first place. Jeez. I can't have my guild's Halloween party without this stuff after all." She put the stuff in her inventory. "Besides, a game is a game. Violence isn't a criminal offense here, so that's really some bullshit logic. I wouldn't hit someone in real life." She was mildly annoyed that someone would suggest so, especially when her real life personality was such a good person. She looked at the other player in confusion as he bought something. "Are you searching for someone? It's not gonna be easy considering how this game works." She sighed. Her own search wasn't going that well, either.

"I simply treat them how they treat others," Sirius glanced over as the group of girls ignored another player to move to the side. "Being rude is sometimes the only way to get to people. I've learned that from a long experience of MMOs.Although I haven't played one since high school." The group of girls continue to talk about nonsensical things as he watched the younger player manoeuvre out the other way.
Sirius smirked at the girl when she called him out on his logic. "I was only joking. But don't you agree that if someone threatens someone to go kill yourself online or harass you they should be punished? If you want to get into law terms, violence isn't just defined by physical force. Intimidation also counts." He gave a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately the internet is more of a grey zone when it comes to that. ....Why am I even babbling this to you...?"
Either way, it doesn't even matter. "It's even harder that she... forgot to give me her username," his eyes darted around for a bit. It was a competition after all. "I honestly hope that dumbo is alright," he chuckled, using the word dumbo more endearing than out of spite. He glanced over to see the sighing expression of the other. "You seem to understand my peril.... surprisingly...." he said more softly, though putting sardonic emphasis on surprisingly as he rolled his eyes.

Nef sighed. When he mentioned he had a long experience of MMOs, she immediately thought of Ashrow. "... why do I keep meeting rude guys who have experience in the MMO scene...?" She muttered to herself. "You're probably not gonna have a good time if your way of getting to people is by being rude . In the end, games are about having fun, aren't they?"
"I didn't say that people who say that don't deserve punishment. And I'm pretty sure cyberbullying is a criminal offense. But offering to kick someone's ass once in a game is hardly bullying."
"S-she forgot? Can't you log out and ask her or something?" Nef made a confused look. It sounded like he was talking about a friend, so why not just ask her? "Regardless, I understand because I'm looking for a friend too. But in the middle of so many people, it's way too hard to try and find someone..." She couldn't just go up to anyone and try to see if they were Kirean or not; it would probably take the rest of the year. "So I decided to buy some supplies for my guild's event and check out some people. That's why I came here at peak hour."

"Exactly, and I don't like people ruining my enjoyment of the game because they think they are on a higher playing field due to high stats, level or just plain obnoxiousness," Sirius folded his arms and sighed in frustration. "Honestly, I have already learned in order to enjoy myself playing to take that little voice in my head to be tactful and understanding and just shoot it. Just shoot it in the god damn face." Sirius turned away for a moment, obviously frustrated. "Freedom of speech, unfortunately, gives idiots the freedom to be idiots and hide behind their computers."
Sirius chuckled to himself as the girl took his further rambles  "I know I know... can you sense sarcasm woman? I am simply speaking my mind, not directed at you at all. I'm not accusing you of bullying. If anything, I just putting out my own knowledge on the matter. I'd like to think myself as a teacher occasionally."
"Cyberbulling is... unfortunately a grey zone when it comes to law due to different countries policies," his expression turned grim a little. "I know." Soon enough he returned back to that mocking grin and smiled. "If you lived in South Korea on the other hand, such threats like that can  actually get you fined. I mean have you heard of those scammers who rage people up in order from them to have the police fine them? However, I digress. " Sirius, although loving the sound of his own voice, diverted himself back on track.
"U-unfortunately that isn't possible," Sirius quickly before coming up with an explanation. "I tried contacting her before, however, she seems to be too occupied in the game to answer. And even then... it's honestly complicated. Our communication hasn't been that great lately. Er, timezones." (Why you always lying....) Sirius put his hand to his forehead and shook his head. "I wouldn't be here at peak hour otherwise. It's much more easier to go out monster killing to level up. Hence, I am getting items to level up and to go for a quest maybe," he put his hands to his hips.
Now slightly less grouchy and more friendly but still pretty stiff and arrogant. "What about your friend? Haven't you been able to organise a time?" The current conversation made him slightly smile (almost like a certain someone) at the thought he could finally play with someone nice. He almost regretted starting up the competition, but he and Anita loved pizza night. Plus, his wallet is getting quite dry from paying from it. Maybe he could join that guild she was always talking about? Speak of the devil.
"Hm, that explains the items then. I was wondering what their use was... Impressive," he smirked though a little impressed someone like her was able to get together a guild. ";Sounds like fun."

"You got a point there. But if someone's being an ass to someone else, or being a bully..." Nef hit one of her closed fists on her other hand. "I'll kick their ass, no second thoughts. That's why I worked hard until now to level up a lot." Nef was among the highest players in the game, and she was quite proud of this. "A... a teacher? Uh... of what?? Please don't go around telling people to push others about or yell insults at them." She shook her head.
"Huh? M-my friend? Ah, you know, real life stuff! We usually play the game at the same time, but we're so busy with work and stuff, I haven't talked to him in a while." She was in a competition, after all, couldn't risk a certain someone overhearing her in this packed marketplace.
"That's right! My guild's only got three people, but we're gonna make a big Halloween party to recruit new people. If you're playing by that time, you should come too! It's gonna have costumes and decorations and candy and monster fighting!" The excitement for the party glimmered in Nef's eyes.

Sirius raised his eyebrow chucking softly while secretly admiring the other's determination. "How brave. However, keep in mind though that levels don't make the good player, skills does. There have been plenty of good players whom have between others on a lower level just because of their strategy and their brains." He stared at the virtual sky a little nostalgically of his old days. "I hope to rise in the ranks and become more skilful in this game to protect my friend from assholes." After a moment of silence returned to his smug and cocky grin of his. "Teaching people how to use their intelligence are of the things I consider myself capable of teaching."
"I also teach people how to use their common sense," he began in a slightly sarcastic but partially true manner. "It's surprising how many people can't use the menu in MMOs. ...I also teach idiots to be less of an idiots. Like using literally in the wrong context or driving drunk. Which is hard because I feel like I am the select few that is truly immune to ignorant bullshit. After all, someone needs to explain how wrong they are."
Sirius tilted his head to the side in suspicion when she explained her own friends situation. However, he casted his thought aside. Really Kieran? She couldn't be her. She is way too kind to be her. This player did have some traits that were Anita's. Perhaps that is why he actually bothered to continue talking to her?
Warm small laughs and a soft genuine smile came surprisingly from Sirius, the crowned prince of douchebags ,of all people as the other excitement for the party. "That... sounds like a lot of fun," he admitted as the glimmer in his eyes reminding him a lot about his dear friend made him a little softer. "I'll see if I can make it, though I have a busy schedule," he said in a tsundere like manner almost (when he thought about it later he smacked himself in the face in embarrassment for such idiocy).
Sirius was usually a lone wolf type of player when it came to games. The guilds he came across were not exactly as light-hearted and fun as this one sounded like when he was still in competitions. "Just curious, what kind of players are in your guild? Well, both class, for strategy reasons, and personality," he asked before returning with an smug expression. "Just so I know they aren't as ferocious and or dangerous as you."

Nef sighed deeply. "Skill, huh...? I'm not that good." Even though she had spent so much time playing games with Kieran, her skill level wasn't that high. In fact, in a match against him, she would probably lose even if she were 6 levels above. "So, I'm gonna be really really reeally strong. If I'm way stronger than anyone else, even skilled people will have a hard time against me." She had little skill, so she'd have to make due with what she did have; her patience to train and level up. "Besides, is your friend really that helpless? You're making it sound like if someone pushes her she'll fall to her feet and start crying." She scratched her head. It was hard to believe someone like that would be around, but there were fragile people around.
Nef couldn't really help it and let out a laugh when he said he helped idiots be less idiot. "Didn't Einstein say something about the infinity of human stupidity? Idiots are gonna be idiots no matter what. I understand the driving drunk part, but honestly my general policy at other stuff is let people live their lives."
"Uwaah, he actually said yes!" Nef eyed him with surprise. "Who is this? What did you do with the guy who bumped into me?"
"Hmm...my guild members? Well, there's Pepper, a healer Avion. She's always cheerful and energetic, and always amazed by this world. She's also super cute. And there's Ainslie, a rogue Golem. I don't know them very well, but they seem like the sort of person who is always nice to others and ready to help and have some genuine fun. B-basically... I'm the only one who's ever rampant or abrasive at all." She sighed. How did she end up with this kind of guild? But it was exactly what she aiming for: a fun guild of friends. So it was okay. "Hey wait, who's dangerous or ferocious?!"

"Well, she isn't that weak. The problem is that both her weakness and strength is being too kind," Sirius explained, recalling the many times Anita had looked after him. "My friend is a stubborn one; always looking for the good in other people. She rarely ever gets angry at all, and when she does she cries like a little baby, but still won't give on people easily," Sirius chuckled before sighing. "But..."
Sirius thought of her with a concerned expression. "Nice people like that can be easily hurt. I may not be a totally good person, but she is. I don't want to see her get hurt, especially for all she is done for me." Sirius kept silent for a moment. "I guess that's why I picked the knight class, huh? Even though I think the whole justice thing is a little corny personally but she is someone I care enough to protect I suppose."
Sirius laughed at her response also. "I think that friend of mine might've told me something along those lines. I feel like the most enjoyable part is more calling out for it." He might as well put up a banner for: 'Sirius is always right foundation' with the slogan 'there to always make sure stupidity is called out.' His smug face returned. There goes nice Sirius. "I could say that calling out people is to stop them from doing it often or for the people but, to be fair I enjoy being almost 100% accurate."
Funnily enough, if he were actually bragging he would say %100. Sirius egotism with calculations was quite incredible; but somewhat accurate to real life and game situations considering he is almost always attracts those with lesser intelligence. However, that 1% does occur. ...Like when Anita beat that boss while she still couldn't open the god damn menu. Never underestimate the power of sheer stupid luck. Sirius mentally facepalmed himself at the thought before getting his thoughts back to the conversation.
When Nef made a surprised 'Uwaah' sound he began to laugh. "Maybe its because you remind me of her. A kid-sized volcano version that is."
He put his hand to his chin in thought and nodded when she finished listing everyone. "Not bad. A variety of skill sets is helpful in completing quests and the like and they don't seem like bad people," he put his hand on his hip. "You are lucky you got a good supporting player from the beginning. Rogues are pretty good when it comes to sneakiness."
When Nef responded to his comment on her 'dangerous' and 'ferocious' behaviour, he laughed. "Well rampant, abrasive, dangerous and ferocious are all synonyms. So you basically already admitted your weaknesses. Looks like U didn't really need to call on it after all."

That sounds like me , Nef thought, but there was no way she could say that out loud and admit she cried like a baby when she got really angry in real life. "Sounds like your friend is pretty important to you. Hm, hm." She nodded. "I totally understand why you'd want to protect her like that. I hope you find her soon."
"T-the most enjoyable part is calling out for it??" She scratched her chin lightly. "So basically... you like calling people stupid?" Honestly that was all she was getting from that. "Oh, or is it that you just like being right all the time...?" She found that a little obnoxious.
"Kid...sized... volcano version..." Nef put a hand on her own head, as if she was measuring herself. "Hey! D-don't make fun of my endearing smallness!" But deep down she felt a chill down her spine. Didn't he say something that just made me think my real life self is kind of like his friend? If I remind him of his friend like this... I need to do my acting job better from now on. Ahh, but at this point, trying to reform this character is probably no good... She sighed to herself.
"Ah, they're good kids. I end up helping out Pepper a lot, but I don't mind. Also, thanks to Ainslie we found out that the balcony railing in our guild hall is suprisingly feeble." Nef let out a snort, remembering how the golem had almost fallen off the balcony. "I want to make the sort of guild where people can just relax and help each other out."
She was a bit taken aback. He was right. "Uuu... but dangerous and ferocious kinda makes me sound like a foreign jungle beast who's been accidentally let loose in a city... rampant and abrasive are much nicer words."

"I hope you find your friend too," Sirius smiled before chuckling. "I suppose its admirable now that I think about it. That you want to protect all players with your strength. I guess I'm have a little bit more favouritism when it comes to people. T-though I guess it's mainly because I know for sure that she is a good person- I mean that you are less of a selfish asshole than I- Okay god dammit." He facepalmed himself in embarrassment. "Forget about that."
"I would be stupid to call any random people stupid. No, I simply enjoy calling someone's /stupidness/ stupid." Sirius then immediately recovered as soon and went back to his smug grin. "Well, again, I like to think of myself as a teacher. Correcting people's mistakes is apart of that job. How else can they learn?" He didn't mention that she was right on the money for that last part, after all, he did have some pride.
He put his hands in his coat pockets and grinned. "No, no. I think your shortness is rather cute. It suits you very well. Short and fiesty is a good combination," he snorted jokingly. He noticed the look of worry over the others face. Perhaps she didn't like to be compared with other people? He knew he hated being compared. After all, he considered himself an individual. "Other than those traits though, you are nothing like her. She is gentle while you.. are more... let's say brutal." He exemplified the differences and chuckled.
"Pepper sounds more like my friend when it comes to help," he sighed remembering having to help Anita out in many situations. He tried not to laugh, picturing the golem almost destroying the balcony with his weight. "Your members sound like dorks," Sirius snorted and paused for a moment in thought. "But, they are good dorks. So I think it sounds like fun. I'm glad this is that type of guild, I am honestly sick of competitive and hierarchy sort of guilds." Sirius had enough of competitions in games.
"Rampant though sounds like you are some sort of herd of bulls or insects, which makes you sound way more annoying. Abrasive is not bad though," Sirius commented being a smartass as usual.

Nef laughed at his botched attempt at a sentence. "Forgotten." And at that moment, she remembered something, and hit her own forehead a little too hard. "We've been talking for a while now, but I totally forgot to introduce myself. I'm Neferlöen." She suddenly remembered one more thing. "Hey, we should team up and try to find them! If it's two people looking, then it'll probably be faster that way, right? Also..." Nef looked around herself. "There are way too many people walking around in this game. It'll be really hard to find our friends."
"Wait, are you the type that watches those 'epic fail' videos where people fall off bikes and skateboards and says like, "oh my god, it's so obvious they fell, you can't lean forward on a downhill and hope your bike stays put!" and stuff like that?" Honestly that was the first thing that came to her mind when he said he corrected people's mistakes. "Besides, people can learn on their own. It's called trial and error."
"Brutal... brutal, huh?" Normally she would get angry at being called such a thing, but at this moment, it was exactly what she wanted to hear. "Brutal! Yes! That's what I was aiming for!" She froze when she realized what she had said. "I mean! Yeah... that describes me pretty well. A feisty brutal small. It's perfect." She nodded knowingly.
"They are good nerds. I'm glad they joined. I want my guild to be a fun place. Competitions are so tiring, you know? You always gotta be on alert in case someone tries to upstage you or something. Just thinking about it makes my back hurt." She remembered when she'd stay up late for big competitive events in games, and woke up to find out she had fallen asleep on the keyboard, and all she'd gotten out of it was a sore back, key-imprinted face, and bottom tier rewards in her inventory. Eventually she gave up. "My friend, he used to be a big hit on the competitive MMO scene. He's still really good! But he gave up on it, and I can totally see why. Competitions can be thrilling, but they're also exhausting."
"Pfft, did you have to be a smartass about that?"

"What's forgotten?" Sirius chuckled before listening in for her name. "Neferlöen... that's a little bit wordy. Mind me calling you Nef?" Sirius asked though a smirk realising another punny nickname. "Perhaps Nefer is more suited? Nefer not brutal? Nefer say Nefer?" He teased but immediately stopped when the other got annoyed. But he was going to do it with a pun: "Nefermind. I am Sirius by the way."
Sirius nodded agreeing at the strategy, moving back to a more serious expression (he didn't realise his own name pun). "Yes, that would be a great idea. I am honestly getting nowhere on my own," he admitted despite his usual egotistic attitude.
"Well, no. Those situations are manufactured to be ridiculous, not that they aren't dumb. After all, they might have some sort of benefit such as viral and money from television," Sirius sighed. "Trial and error is of course effective to intelligent people. However..." He sighed frustratingly, glancing at those group of girls again blocking the road. "Some people never learn," he murmured.
"That... was an unexpected reaction," Sirius eyes widened confused but chuckled. "But yes it does suit you shorty."

"I forgot your half-assed attempt at a proper sentence, since you told me to forget it. Or did you forget?" This forgetful chat was starting to lose any proper meaning. "And sure, call me Nef or Nefer. Anything beats being called Neffy..." She remembered Pepper's nickname for her, and then remembered she could've gone for something even worse like Nefnef, and she was a bit thankful. "T-those puns... are you Sirius?" She snorted. Puns. Puns were good. She remembered when her and Pepper had an accidental pun-off.
"Ok then, it's decided." Nef moved around the interface and sent him a party request. A small glowing screen appeared in front of him. Even though she was opposite to the screen, she could see what it said: 'Player [ Neferlöen ] would like you to join their party."
Of course, she'd be the party leader. This guy seemed pretty new to the game, even though Nef didn't know his level, and she already knew her way through most of Pen D'Lum and its three floating islands.
"Just leave them be. Peak hour is almost over and they'll probably go back to their apartments or something when it's over." She shrugged, noticing he was glancing at the girls blocking the road. "It's kind of annoying, but unless they push you on purpose or something, it's like, meh, you know."
"Aha... yes... uhm, just forget about it." She scratched her head, trying to forget her slip-up.

"But you didn't forget because you just said that I told you to forget i- Okay forget it!" Sirius gave a frustrated sigh, now actually forgetting what he was talking about. They were too many forgets so he forgot the original meanin- Okay this was getting ridiculous. Sirius again lifted his eyebrow when she made that pun. "I nefer would expect you to so....punny," Sirius softly chuckled as he accepted without complaint.
Sirius nodded and sighed despite still being disgruntled about the whole situation. "This is when I wish people had more common sense," he rubbed his forehead slightly frustrated.
"Considered it forgotten," he chuckled before glancing at the time. "Oh damn, I am going to be late for a meet up... Of course she isn't on now!" Sirius hit his forehead. "I have to go before she tells me off and makes me pay the bill."

A meet up? Suddenly Nefer remembered. "Oh, right, I have an appointment too! Somehow, I'll find you next time. Don't think I'll let you skip out on teaming up with me!" She quickly logged out and shot up from her bed where she had been lying down to play; if she was late, Kieran would definitely be mad at her.