123 Vol. 2 pt. 60 Patch 10.0: Something Stupid (1/2)

Ull and Blackstache signal for their ships to come back over and take them away.

”It would be wise if we did not spend too much time here,” Ull explains.

”That's understandable,” Fenrir says.

”Given your prior expectation, should I expect you to steal my ship and send it into the sun?”

”Don't worry. Serra here wants to steal Blackstache's ship, but I don't think any of us are interested in yours.”

”I heard that,” Blackstache says.

Serra hides behind Fenrir even more now.

”You do not find my ship worthy of stealing?” Ull asks.

”I don't plan on stealing any ships. The Shoebill here is my one and only,” Fenrir answers.

”You are more faithful to your ship than your girlfriends.”

”H-hey, the multiple girlfriends thing was their idea.”

Ull raises a hand to cover his mouth as he softly laughs. ”My Liz is the same, so I understand.” He looks at one of the girls, Cassiel, whom has been suspiciously eyeing him throughout almost the entire conversation. ”Is there a problem?” he asks her.

”I – I don't get you. You were acting like a real asshole back on your ship and with Nell, but now you're friendly. What's with the change? How can we trust how you're behaving now?” Cassiel asks.

”Much like how your lover here once played the role of many worlds' most hated villain, and how Blackstache acts the part of an accented pirate, I am just giving my viewers and followers what they expect of me. Given that none of them are around at the moment, I can act more like myself – I can be Ekon rather than act like Ull.”

”Ekon… what ethnicity is that name? Never heard it before,” Fenrir asks.

”I am from Nigeria, wolf. And no, I was not in Lagos for the flooding. Everybody always asks that when they find out I'm from Nigeria.”

”Actually, I'm more curious about how you got into Norse mythology.”

”Same way you did, most likely. The internet is a great tool for learning regardless of what region one lives in.”

Fenrir looks behind Ull and sees his longship getting closer. Time to wrap things up. Fenrir holds his hand out for a shake.

Ull grabs his arm instead and holds onto it. ”You and your crew were fierce competitors in the tournament, wolf. We may have our… disagreements, but you and yours are worthy of respect,” he says.

Fenrir grabs onto Ull's arm the same way that Ull is holding is. ”You're pretty cool when you're not pretending to be an asshole,” Fenrir says.

”Unfortunately, being an asshole is what gets me viewers.”

”Fen,” Cassiel interjects, ”what about the NPCs they killed?”

Fenrir lets go of Ull's arm and looks back at her. He doesn't like just brushing past that, and he still wants to help NPCs however he can, but what is he supposed to say to Ull? He can't just ask him to be nice to NPCs now, and he doubts that his millions of followers would listen. There is a fundamental difference in beliefs at play here. To some, NPCs in games – the AIs in Fantasy Tales Online are as disposable as ants on a sidewalk. To Fenrir, they are living beings deserving of respect and rights. He knows that he is not objectively right, too.

”As part of the alliance with Blackstache, my followers are to avoid killing or maiming sapient NPCs whenever possible. Monsters and criminals are not subject to this, but those who are just trying to live their lives will be spared if possible. I hope you understand that it all I have the power to enforce,” Ull explains. ”I should also mention that your actions influenced that entering the deal, wolf.”

Fenrir looks back at Ull and sees an immediate change in expression before he can say anything.

”Now then, wolf, if I find that you are lying to me then keep in mind what I said. I will not hesitate to hunt you down no matter where you may be, and I will ensure that no mercy is afforded to you,” Ull says, his tone more demanding and cold than it was just moments ago. ”You are fortunate that you won the tournament.” With that, Ull turns around and crosses the gangplank over onto his longship.

”Guess it's time for me to be going as well,” Blackstache says.

”It was nice seeing you again. I'll send you an email with my new Fiscord information so that we can stay in touch, and I better get some pictures of your baby when she's out,” Fenrir tells him.

”I'll make sure of it. But, you better watch out,” Blackstache says while pointing at Fenrir's girlfriends. Each one of them has sparkles in their eyes and slightly reddened cheeks. ”They've looked like that ever since you mentioned babies.”

Cassiel and Serra aren't the only ones. Fenrir feels a sense of excited impatience coming from Nell as well.

He's going to need to get one damn good job to support their expectations.

Wait, is Nell a part of their relationship now?

Fenrir nervously laughs and rubs the back of his head. ”We'll see what happens.”

”Going with you,” Bonekraka tells Blackstache.

”What's going on? You're not staying with Ryo and Spence?” Blackstache asks the orc.

”Nyet. They are boring now. Tournament was most fighting we had since started playing.”

”I can see why you of all people would be upset then.”

Oleander and Fenrir look at each other. They feel guilty for not being able to make things more fun for Bonekraka, but they also know in their hearts that this is the best thing for them all. It was only a matter of time, and Bonekraka did tell them that he was going to leave after the tournament. If he doesn't leave now, he'll just leave the next time they dock The Shoebill.

”You can come back whenever you want, Viktor,” Fenrir says, holding out his hand.

”Da,” Bonekraka says and shakes his hand.