Anything in italics is action text, which means that something's either happening of someone or a setting is being described.

 

Person: Text is the format I use to show that a character is saying something

 

Chapter 3: Lecithin

 

Oscar walks blindly through the city of Lecithin.  Merchants shout out various deals they are offering.

 

Oscar: God, how do you even get started in this game?  This place is so massive, I don't even know what to start with.

 

Voice: A lagger looking to get started?  Then you've come to the right place.

Oscar turns and sees that he is being called out by a small, shady looking man.  The man is hiding in the shadows.  Through the shadows it can be seen that the figure wears long, flowing black robes and a straw hat.  The straw hat casts a shadow down on his face that prevents any facial features from being seen.  Oscar shrugs and walks up the man.

 

Oscar: So who are you?

 

Man: The name's Iricryo.  You can call me a tour guide.  I wait here for lost looking people and show them around the city.  And all it costs you is your rare starting item.  What do you say?

 

Oscar: Rare starting item?

 

Iricryo: Heh, you really did just start out, didn't you?  All characters start with one ability, a small amount of money, enough food and drink to last about a week, and one rare item.  You can open up your item management to take a look at what you have.  But of course for you, only a simple glance is needed to see what rare item you started with.

 

He looks up and his face is revealed from under the straw hat's shadow.  He has a large scar over his right eye and tattoos across the sides of his face.  Brownish hair falls down slightly from under the hat.

 

Iricryo: Those gloves...the gloves of Tenshirou.

 

Oscar holds up his hands and examines his gloves.

 

Oscar: These gloves?  What do they do?

 

Iricryo: Honestly, kid?  I don't know.  But I do know it's listed as a rare item and is pretty highly sought after in the market place.

 

Oscar: And if they're so rare, why should I give them to you?

 

Iricryo: Well, it's either that, or you continue to wander the city aimlessly.  Your choice.

 

Oscar thinks about it for a moment, looking at his gloves.

 

Oscar: Fine, but you get the gloves AFTER I get the tour.

 

Iricryo: Very well, follow me.

 

Oscar follows Iricryo.  They pass by large groups of people shouting out items they are buying and selling.

 

Iricryo: This is the market place.  Unlike the trade center you were just in, which are all businesses owned by NPCs, this is a free market in which players sell their items and search for items they are looking for that can't be purchased from NPCs.  There is a common sight in every city.

 

They continue on for a short while and stop in front of an area full of small buildings.

 

Iricryo: This is the residential areas.  Players who manage to make enough money tend to buy or commission the building of a house.  After all, sleeping in a house is much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, as a majority of us players have to.  The residential area here in Lecithin is smaller than the one's in all the other major cities, however.  You barely find any houses outside the cities, though, cause player's prefer to have the Militia protection for their homes.  Still, there are some players who consider themselves strong enough to protect homes outside the cities and think they will save some money doing so.  Idiots, if you ask me.

 

They continue on again, this time stopping outside two tall, looming buildings, the first one dark and almost barren of decoration, even windows.  The second one is almost the opposite, with a colorful red paint design and decorations going all the way up the buildings.

 

Iricryo: This one over here is a Militia base.  The Militia pooled funds together to get one of these built in the center of each town.  The Militia are pretty reasonable folks, so if you ever have any major problems, you should go see them.  At the top floor of each Militia base is the governor's office, if you would ever need to see them for some reason.

 

Oscar: Governor?  Do we have to elect people in this game?

 

Iricryo: Not exactly.  I think they just use the title "governor" to sound less oppressive.  Really, they're just guys the Militia puts in charge of their major cities.  I'm not sure what their duties are, but they don't seem to bother anyone so no one seems to care.

 

Oscar: And what's this building next to it?

 

He motions to the red building.

 

Iricryo: This is a moderator office.  They pretty much will only listen to you if you say you've found a bug or a glitch, so otherwise I'd say they're pretty useless.

 

They continue on, walking through crowds.  The crowds thicken as they move on, until they are so thick that they are almost completely lost in the crowd.

 

Oscar: Why's it so crowded around here?  I can barely move!

 

Iricryo: We're coming into an area that's unique to Lecithin, earning its title as the city of adventure.

 

They come into an area full of NPCs standing on podiums, all asking for help.

 

Iricryo: This is the Adventure's Pavilion.  NPCs give out quests, players go out and do the quests, the players are awarded experience.  Same as any RPG.  The quests available here are always changing, so it's a good idea to check here frequently.

 

Oscar: Quests, huh?  So this is like every other RPG after all.

 

Iricryo: Well, this concludes our tour.  Hopefully, you understand how to get started better now.  I'll just take my payment and be on my way.

 

He holds out his hand.

 

Oscar: I guess...

 

He begins to take off his gloves when Rook rushes to them.

 

Rook: Iricryo, I though you were warned about this little operation of yours!

 

Iricryo: What was that now?

 

Rook: You know damn well!  Offering services available for free from any touring NPC for the price of rare items to unknowing players!

 

Iricryo: And what will the mighty Militia do about it?  I offered a service, gave my price, and he agreed.  And all the Militia can do about it is offer me a warning again about the services I choose to offer.

 

Oscar: Wait!  Did I just get scammed?

 

He holds on to his gloves.

 

Rook: I'm afraid so.  I'm sorry I didn't here sooner.

 

Oscar: Well, I haven't even given him my gloves yet.

 

Iricryo: I've already rendered services, though.  I now have the right to have the Militia forcibly take the item from you.  Well, Militia-man?  Do your job.

 

Rook: I would rather lose my job than assist in your scam!

 

Iricryo: Guess I better report this flagrant disregard of your duties to your superiors, then.

 

Oscar: Wait, I don't want Rook getting in any trouble just because I got myself scammed.  I'll give up my gloves.

 

Rook: You take those gloves and I swear to you I will see to it the Militia makes the rest of your life in this game difficult!

 

Iricryo: An unimpressive threat.  But if it'll make you shut up, I'll give him a chance to hold onto his gloves.  I'll duel him for them.

 

Rook: That's not fair, either!  He wouldn't stand a chance!

 

Iricryo: One hour, just outside the city.  I expect him there whether it's just to hand over the gloves or to duel.  If he doesn't show up, I'll send some superior officers through the city to find you.  See you there.

 

He casually walks away from the group, disappearing into the crowd.

 

Rook: Like he's even leaving a real option there.  Sorry, but it doesn't look like there's anything I can do for you, you're going to have to give up your gloves.

 

Oscar: Hm...

 

He stares down at his gloves.

 

Oscar (in thought): Or I can duel for them.