16 Rough Edges (1/2)
”Good morning everyone. This is Aima, she is the supporter I told everyone about yesterday.” Becky introduced the party to a female dwarf with red hair. She only reached up to Becky's eye level, however she looked very lean for her height - that was even with her leather armor on. She had a mature and sophisticated air as she carried herself.
”h.e.l.lo, my full name is Aima Gunsborg - Aima for short. I'm a rank D adventurer. As what Becky said, I'm mainly a healer-support type, however my other cla.s.s is a blacksmith so I can use our spoils to reinforce your weapons or make an entirely new one. Though both services will cost you.” She maintained her smile as she said the last part casually.
”Nice to meet you, my name is Sebastian. I come from the countryside so I'm still a bit naive about some things. Pleased to meet you.” Sebastian tried to shake her hand, but Aima laughed as she just tapped his shoulder before moving on to the other members.
”I'm Melissa Criel but you can call me Mel. I am an archer but I can also use a sword if need be.”
”My name is Jinzo Sawyer - Jin for short. I'm the vanguard of the group. I use a s.h.i.+eld and a spear. More importantly, how did you know Becky?”
”We partied together for a few quests. I usually transfer from one party to another that's how we met on one quest and we did a couple more quests after that. I have other part-time jobs by the way.”
”Uh, okay. Thank you for that information. So you actually go way back with Becky. Hmm..” Jin pretended to think seriously as he rubbed his hand on his chin. Becky didn't hide her irk as she simply shook her head in silence.
”If there are no more real questions then the introductions are now finished. Let's head inside the adventurer's guild as we look for our quest today.” Becky lead everyone inside the adventurer's guild and immediately in front of the notice board to look for quest postings.
”Can I suggest that we just search for herb gathering and animal subjugation in the same area?” Jin gathered the group before they became too engrossed in the notice board. ”We have new members and we haven't had the chance to see how well we work as a team. Let's use today as a test of sorts.”
Sebastian nodded before he looked at Becky in the eye. ”It's not a training, however we need to know how the other members work so we can adjust our strategies accordingly. We should prepare for our quests and not take it haphazardly as someone here frequently tells us.”
”I see. That actually sounds like a good idea. Thank you for the suggestion Jin. Let's go with that if the majority are amenable to it? I agree with Jin's plan.” Aima sounded experienced enough as she steered the group's discussion into a voting.
”I have no problems with that as long as I get to use my bow.”
”That's fine by me. You actually listened to me before. I'm so shocked I could cry.” Becky flatly replied as she responded to Sebastian's gaze.
”Then that settles it. Here are a couple of quests within the same area in Trenlant Forest. One is to look for specific mushrooms, the other is to cull the population of bears. We need to fill at least 3 baskets full of the Tross mushroom and we need to kill at least 5 bears. I imagine we can do these quests today. Is that alright with everyone?” Jin pa.s.sed the quest postings around for everyone to read.
Once everyone agreed, they went to the guild receptionist to register their adventurer tags with their quests.
As they were walking towards the city exit, Aima pulled Sebastian close as she whispered. ”One of my part time jobs is to cast [Cleanse] and [Detoxify] in a certain establishment. *wink* I hope you physically cleaned yourself afterwards, country hick.” She said everything with a smile, it almost felt surreal to Sebastian. He could only blink as he processed what she said. He suddenly remembered that the spellcaster in the establishment last night wore a robe to hide her ident.i.ty - though he knew now.
”Is that why you didn't want to shake my hand earlier? It makes sense now. However I did clean myself when I got home. Also it was a one-time thing, its not on a regular basis.”
”Sure, say whatever you want. I am sworn to secrecy with that job so I can't say anything to the others.”
”Then why did you tell me? Are you blackmailing me?”
”What's blackmail? Is it an expression from the sticks?”
”It means that I pay you for you to keep the information to yourself. How much do you want?”
”Ah, I never said anything of the sort. I only wanted to see your reaction, that is all. No need to get that defensive. If people knew that I spoke out against one of that dwarf's 'dear patrons' then I would lose my job and my credibility. Never underestimate a bored older woman. Haha.” She raised her hand to her nose as she pretended to laugh. Once she was finished with her teasing, she then took Sebastian's hand and shook it as if they met the first time. The others looked at them with a bewildered expression.
”Are you checking his mana?” Becky couldn't understand what Aima was doing as they were heading to the forest for their quest.
”In a way. I'm also checking his character. I like to keep myself interested, you know that.”
It was Sebastian's turn to shake his head in silence as he felt defeated even before their quests started.
***
Sebastian studied the mushroom he plucked before placing it in the basket. It looked like a regular portobello mushroom, however it had silver veins running through it. It made it easier to spot from a distance, making their gathering speed quicker. He learned that it was mainly used for health potions or a healing salve. After the mutated wolf C quest, there was a shortage in Wildecross City.
”Whew. We've gathered the required 3 baskets already. Is this enough for the quest?”
”Yes, that should be enough. Good job everyone. That's one quest down for today. We can take a break as we have lunch here.” Jin set down the basket strapped on his back as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Awkward silence ensued as they looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
”Ah, can we have Mel and Sebastian prepare our lunch? Becky please scout the area, and Aima -”
”I'll continue gathering the mushrooms. Though these will be for me. The shortage has driven the prices for these Tross mushrooms high enough. I won't wander far, don't worry about me.” Aima smiled as she started searching the area around them without even waiting for the others to respond.
”It seemed that you were at a loss when it came to preparing meals, didn't any of you do this before?” Mel asked Sebastian as they were getting the pot and rations from their rucksacks.
”We didn't realise it then, but one of our previous party members was the one that always did it. It already seemed like routine when she did it. I think this is part of the change that we need to fill in her absence.”