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Post by Clara Roetzheim on Oct 4, 2013 12:24:47 GMT -6
Clara really wished her teammates hadn't decided to split up. It wasn't that she was scared. She was more or less confident that she could look after herself. This wasn't reality where she was weak and helpless. She was the skilled ranger, GingaGreen. She doubted anyone in this whole virtual world had better stealth or precision with a bow than her. Close quarter combat could be problematic; but, she was usually pretty good at backing up and keeping fighting at a distance.
Still, she was worried about the others. She had no way of knowing how they were doing. What if they had gotten themselves killed?! Clara had no idea what would happen if your hit points reached zero when you were trapped in the game. Would you be returned to reality or would you die there to?!
She tried to push these depressing thoughts aside as she wandered around the forest. Worrying wouldn't help. She just needed to...What did she need to do? She didn't want to go back to reality to begin with. She was fine staying here. If there was no one around to help there wasn't much she needed to do. She decided to search for some NPCs to fight. Some well placed arrows might ease her worried thoughts.
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Post by Harper Kinsing on Oct 4, 2013 14:55:35 GMT -6
"Hey, let me go!" Harper screamed, trying to fight against the bandits who were accosting her. It wasn't working, and it might not have been helping that her hands were already bound.
"Shaddup, Confessor!" One said, slapping her across the face. The other two shoved her into a wagon, and climbed into the driver's seat, the third climbing into the back with her.
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Post by Clara Roetzheim on Oct 4, 2013 15:34:59 GMT -6
Clara was wondering around, searching for targets when she heard screaming. And not just any screaming. She recognized that voice. It was Harper! Her teammate! Oh no! Was she in trouble?!
Clara quickened her pace, heading in the direction of the disturbance. Although she was moving faster she still took pains to make sure she was quiet. If she wanted to be of real use she'd need to position herself well and surprise whoever was bothering her friend!
She arrived just in time to see Harper be shoved into a wagon. Not good! Where were they taking her?!
Clara quickly repositioned herself on the hill behind some trees so she was in a good shooting spot. She'd take care of the two in the front first. If she could kill those NPCs they wouldn't be able to take Harper anywhere. And then the other person would likely move away from Harper and she could get a clear shot at him. Her aim was really good. She'd probably be fine as it was but she didn't want to take any chances with her friend's safety.
Clara loosed two arrows in quick succession, aiming for the NPCs' hearts.
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Post by Harper Kinsing on Oct 4, 2013 15:38:38 GMT -6
The two bandits in the driver's seat dropped over, dead. The third, back in the wagon with Harper, leapt off and grabbed Harper, roughly pulling her out and holding her in front of him, a dagger to her throat. "One more arrow and the Confessor dies!"
Harper started maneuvering her hands into position, in case she needed to use the Touch.
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Post by Clara Roetzheim on Oct 4, 2013 15:43:42 GMT -6
Oh no! Maybe she should have gone for the one in back first. Did he see her?! Or did he just know she was out there somewhere?! She remained hidden, trying to think what to do.
She couldn't risk shooting again. She was a ranged character. The bandit would definitely be able to slit Harper's throat before Clara could do anything. But she couldn't leave Harper alone with this guy!
Clara would have to give up her position for Harper's sake. She still remained hidden behind the trees but she called out to the man. "I have an arrow fixed on your position. You harm that girl and you're dead. I'm willing to negotiate for her. What do you want?"
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Post by Harper Kinsing on Oct 4, 2013 15:47:08 GMT -6
"I want you to get out here and fight me like a man!" The bandit yelled. "I'll kill you for killin' my friends!"
Harper suddenly recognized the voice, and relaxed. This guy didn't stand a chance. Clara was one hell of a shot. But the situation didn't look great, so she moved her hands back into position.
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Post by Clara Roetzheim on Oct 4, 2013 15:55:20 GMT -6
Fight him like a man? Yeah right. First of all, she was a girl and a thirteen year old one at that. And secondly, she knew her strengths. She was much better off staying back and shooting. But this was a problem. They were at somewhat of a standstill. Clara could easily kill this man but if she tried he'd kill Harper first. So what could she do?
But Harper wasn't incapable. She was a darn good teammate. Maybe Clara just needed to provide her with a distraction.
Clara stepped out from behind the trees, revealing that she had spoken truthfully and that her bow was fixed on the guy's position. "There's one problem with that. Not a man," she said confidently. She hoped her small stature and sudden appearance would surprise the guy enough so that Harper could get herself into a better position. If Harper could wiggle away a bit Clara could take care of the NPC no problem. She waited for her moment.
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Post by Harper Kinsing on Oct 4, 2013 15:58:12 GMT -6
The bandit's jaw went slack a moment. "A liddle girl took out two o' da best fighters I know?" He asked, disbelieving.
Harper mouthed "Hold on; I got this."
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Post by Clara Roetzheim on Oct 4, 2013 16:01:39 GMT -6
All Clara could do was trust in her teammate. She needed to keep the bandit distracted longer.
"Do you see anyone else with an arrow aimed at your head?" she asked him.
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Post by Harper Kinsing on Oct 4, 2013 16:04:20 GMT -6
The bandit retained a disbelieving expression, then there was a sudden boom, more felt than heard. Harper used the term the writer of the books the game was based on used to describe it; "thunder with no sound". The bandit's face went slack, and he stepped back, arms falling to his sides.
"Free my hands." Harper said.
"Yes Mistress." The bandit replied instantly, cutting her hands free and returning to the slack position.
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Post by Clara Roetzheim on Oct 4, 2013 16:07:18 GMT -6
Clara ran to Harper, smiling but before she approached her friend she went to the NPC corpses. She plucked the arrows from their limp bodies and put them back in her quiver.
"Harper! Harper! Harper!" she cried eagerly. "I'm so glad you're okay!" She looked at Harper with a hopeful expression, wondering if it would be okay to hug her or if that would be considered inappropriate. She had been really worried about her!
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Post by Harper Kinsing on Oct 4, 2013 16:11:15 GMT -6
"It's nice to see you too, Clara." Harper said, smiling. "But we need to deal with this." She turned back to the bandit. "Bury your friends."
"Yes Mistress." The bandit replied, going to do exactly that. Harper shivered.
"It always gives me the willies that they refer to me as "Mistress"." Harper muttered.
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Post by Clara Roetzheim on Oct 4, 2013 16:13:22 GMT -6
Clara beamed innocently back at Harper when she greeted her.
She nodded her head. "It is kind of...disturbing. No offense but I'm really glad I don't have that skill." Killing NPCs was one thing. Twisting their will was something else entirely. Clara had been controlled her whole life. She'd hate to inflict that complete state of helplessness on someone else even an NPC.
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Post by Harper Kinsing on Oct 4, 2013 16:21:16 GMT -6
"Well, at least they're put into a state where they don't know any better." Harper said. "If they knew they were being controlled, I wouldn't have been able to deal with the moral backlash." She rubbed at her wrists a bit.
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Post by Clara Roetzheim on Oct 4, 2013 16:26:13 GMT -6
Clara looked at Harper's wrists with concern. "Do they hurt?" she asked Harper. "Are you okay?!"
She didn't touch the NPC brainwashing issue. Forgetting something didn't make it okay. Clara had repressed memories but she knew the fact she couldn't remember was a really bad sign. And she had lingering negative emotions from the experience. She wondered if that's what it felt like when Harper used her Confessor skill. She just hoped Harper would never use it on her. Scary!
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