Chapter 2: The Perfect Date. Or Else. . . .
“Wow! What a day.” I sighed as I went over all the happenings of a full day in game. Hmm, assuming I get to sleep for 9 hour in-game time during the night, that leaves me with 3 hours to get things done at home in real life. Getting up to stretch I made my way to the kitchen to heat up some instant food. I know, extravagant right? That’s the life of a bachelor during summer break. Soon after a quick meal I headed off to the gym to renew my membership and spent an hour of intense swimming.
Too soon the hour was up and I headed back home. With half an hour to spare I checked up online to see what was being said about this new Virtual Reality. The news reports said that close to 100,000 people had already received messages saying that they had won, but currently there was no data on how many had accepted the prize. I wondered if I would be seeing anyone come to my city any time soon. With no further thought on that, I closed down my computer and lay down in my capsule.
* * *
*Bang!*Bang!*Bang!* The first thing to greet me was a sound that was too much like someone banging metal pots together. “What the Hell?!” *Slam!* “Ugh!” I opened my eyes to see myself laying on the ground with my overturned cot laying on top of me. Victoria had apparently set aside her cooking pans to then toss me out of my bed when she realized I was finally awake.
“Good morning! You should have been up over an hour ago!” Her fierce glare and now back in hand cooking pans kept me from speaking a few choice words that Really wanted to be spoken. I moved out of my parent’s house to live on my own so that I could Avoid this kind of situation!
However, I needed her knowledge and skills in order to make my way in this world, so getting angry was not the answer. Taking a deep breath to calm my emotions, I looked up with what I hoped to be a penitent stare and apologized. “I am sorry mam, I was taking care of some things back in my own world. I will do better to be back in time in the future.”
“See that you do.” With a twitch of her lips in what I could have sworn to be a smile and seeming somewhat mollified she then left me alone in the room. Damn that woman for having fun at my expense! After setting everything right by putting the cot back right side up and reorganizing the bedding, I made my way into her kitchen.
“Your breakfast was about to get cold, but it should still be warm enough to enjoy. You’ll need the energy today to get everything done. So hop to it.” She said this while busying herself about the kitchen cleaning up the various utensils she used for cooking. Eating the warmish eggs and what looked like thick pieces of bacon along with some biscuits (all of which was tasty), I wasted no time as I polished off the meal and made myself presentable enough to head out into the city.
“Thank you for breakfast!” I called out as I hurried on my way to escape anything that she might have for me to do, in addition to finding Monroe. Pulling out my map I looked at all the different places available in a city this large. Unfortunately the map only showed buildings and streets but didn’t label anything. I could see where the trading district was as I had become somewhat familiar with it just yesterday, but as for the rest of the city, I was completely ignorant as to where everything was. Not wanting to bother Victoria further I headed to the nearby craftsman district.
“Blades, get your blades here, you know you’ll need them when going out into the wild.” A thickly muscled man with a shaggy beard called out to the passing crowd from his shop next to his forge. “You son! What kind of blades would you be interested in?” Realizing he was looking directly at me I figured he was as good a person as any to ask about where Monroe might be.
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“Actually Sir, I have a question about the city, but I would like to look at your wares first in case I see something I need.” Opening his hands and arms wide as if to encompass his collection he spoke up. “Look to your heart’s desire, just tell me if you are looking for anything in specific.”
Gazing at the walls adorned with various types of swords and other weaponry I had thought about what I would do for food once I had finished my apprenticeship. I know I was thinking ahead of myself assuming that most everything I planned would work out but even so, some things would be necessary in any circumstance.
Taking in the staffs and spear section I wondered at what would be right for me. An image filled my mind of a weapon that I had seen before in real life that just might work. With a few mental adjustments I thought I had a way to describe it to the smith so that he could make it for me.
“Sir, how long does it generally take to custom make a weapon?” Scratching at his shaggy beard he paused for a second. “Depends on the weapon and the materials that you want it made from. Know what the name of it is?” He asked me.
“Have you ever heard of a naginata?” I enquired of him. With a shake of his head and questioning eyes I knew more information would be needed. “Do you have a paper and something to draw with?” Pulling out a few oil stained sheets and a charcoal stick, he silently handed them both to me. Going to a nearby workspace relatively free of clutter, I began to draw. As I drew I explained it to him. “A naginata is like a staff that has a single edged and slightly curved blade at the end of one side of it, sort of like a spear. Generally the blade reaches above the head a ways and the staff portion is made of wood, but in this case I’m looking to have something that is no greater than my height, and I want a fully metal shaft no more than 1 ¼ inches in width.” Continuing to draw I explained further. “The shaft would need to be designed in a spiral ribbed fashion so that it could offer a more secure grip and prevent blades from sliding down the side and cutting me.” Finishing with the drawing I handed it to him.
Looking at the picture and making a few noncommittal grunts he finally nodded his head. “I can do this. You do realize that it will be pretty heafty though and not a weapon easily used right away.” I nodded my head in understanding. “What sort of material are you thinking of it being made of?” “Black steel.” I blurted, not thinking of the cost.
“Black steel huh? I’d estimate the price to be about 3 gold and 50 silver with materials and my labor.” My stomach dropped at the thought of that price. “Um Sir, I don’t have that much. Could I work off the last few silvers?” I was scared to think that all the money I had would be gone in an instant. Seeming not to hear me he continued speaking. “Although, since I’ve never made something quite like this before, there are bound to be mistakes and imperfections so I could lower the price. In the case that it turns out perfect then you can just be sure to tell others who ask, where you bought it from. For that I’ll take 2 Gold and 50 Silver.” That was still a lot of money to me and I’d have little left. Still though, without Monroe I’d have nothing right now so I agreed to the price leaving me with 73 silver and 34 copper.
“Very Good, just so you know, it’ll take me at least a week to make since I’ve got several customers ahead of you.” I nodded my head and handed my precious few coins over to him. “And what was it you wanted to know about the city?” He asked me.
* * *
After learning from the Blacksmith that the sitting council was currently in session to listen to petitions, I realized that I’d have my best chance at speaking to Monroe if I got there before the session let out. As I hurried on my way to the place now marked on my map I felt an uneasiness begin to grow in my stomach.
