Player Issues - Login 004

Please read the description below to learn when this chapter takes place!

Login004: Little Secret 

“I’ve never really visited this section before.” Ryou said, eyeing the link to enter the Apkallu forum. “The idea of looking at pictures people drew of their PCs doesn't really appeal to me, but I’m kind of bored. And who knows, maybe I’ll find something interesting.”

He scrolled through the topics, and just as he suspected, most of it really did not appeal to him. Although he was intrigued by this one thread where a girl named Mayako (1/2) talked about “a man in red and black” who saved her from PKers once; and slightly disturbed by another where someone drew him as a chibi feline furry, “What the hell? I look like a mascot for some girl’s anime! Except for he ‘demon’ armor.”

But then a new one popped up that caught his eye…

“‘A new look’, for what?” He opened the thread; the picture had a soft pink background, which made him cringe a little, but that was not really what caught his attention, what did was that in the foreground was a cutesy drawing (with sparkles even!) of an all too familiar green and blonde Harvest Cleric.

“A-Atoli?” Flushed as he was, he noticed that the picture did not end there; in the background chasing the small Atoli figure was another altogether too familiar figure…

“Argghhh! What the serious hell?” He threw his controller up into the air and pushed back in his chair causing the chair to roll back and tumble over, throwing him to the floor with his controller a few feet away.

“Why the hell am I chasing her? I’m grinning like an idiot! And what’s with that damn sparkle next to my mouth? Like I would ever do anything like that!” He sat on the floor, breathing heavily, red faced and staring at his computer screen for a few minutes. After a while, he slowly stood back up, picking his controller off the floor, and walked slowly up to the computer, looking around the room as if he was making sure no one was around (who he was looking for, I never quite understood…) He clicked on the picture.

Screen reads: Downloaded wallpaper!

He whispered to the computer as his cheeks flushed deeper, “This’ll just be our little secret.” Just before returning to forum’s main page, his eye wandered to a response that had already been written. “‘I want in on that’? What the hell is that supposed to mean!”

He poised his hands over the keyboard, but stopped suddenly and pulled away, “Must. Resist. Urge to write angry response. Nobody must know I was even on this forum. Let alone having looked at this thread.”

OOooOOooOOooOO

Meanwhile, Chigusa Kusaka was also at her computer checking the Apkallu forum; she was a petite girl about the same size as her character with long, honey brown hair and warm brown eyes. She was wearing a light blue tank top and white pleated skirt that appeared to be from her school uniform.

“Let’s see what’s new in the art forum!” She smiled, opening the page. She brushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear with her fingers while she browsed the topics. “A new look, huh? Maybe someone drew an altered appearance of their character to…”

When her eyes laid on the picture, her face turned bright red and she dropped the controller, pulling hands to her chin, “Kyaaa!”

“Chigusa!” Her mother yelled, it sounded distant, as if she were standing at the bottom of a staircase. “What was that noise?”

Chigusa could hardly contain the red color of her face, partly from the shock of the drawing in front of her, partly from the embarrassment of attracting her mother’s attention, “Sorry, Mother! A piece of dust just rolled by my desk and I thought it was a spider.”

“Really! Imprudent girl." Her mother could be mumbling loudly as she walked away from the stairs. "Screaming her lungs out over something so silly.”

Chigusa tried to ignore her mother and turned her attention back at the thread and the picture in front of her, “That’s me! And Haseo-san.”

She sat in her chair for a few minutes, just blushing and staring at the picture, “Well, it is a nice picture,” She picked the controller off her lap and clicked on the picture.

Screen reads: Downloaded wallpaper!

“And, it’s not like he’ll ever know I downloaded it, so he can’t yell at me.” Her previously red face turned pink. “It’ll just be my little secret…”

-(Later that day…)-

Sender: Kuhn
To: Haseo
Subject: Let’s hang out

Hey, Haseo, why don’t you and I just hang out for today? Meet me at Breg Epona’s Chaos Gate; we’re going to:
Ʃ Calm Ocean’s Magnified

See you there!

“Why would Kuhn be calling me just to hang out?” Ryou raised his eyebrow, looking suspicious. “Whatever. I have nothing else to do, I might as well go Ʃ Calm Ocean’s Magnified, huh?” He closed his Mailer, showing that he had now set the picture he found on the Apkallu forum as his wallpaper. He blushed while he stared at it for a few seconds.

“Gawd! Why did I download that thing anyway?” he sighed. “I hope Atoli’s not on; I’m not sure how I would react if we ran into each other.” He paused as his pupils narrowed. “And that girl likes to stalk me, so if she’s on, she’ll find me.”

-(Meanwhile…)-

Sender: Kuhn
To: Atoli
Subject: Let’s hang out

Hey, Atoli, why don’t you and I just hang out for today? Meet me at Breg Epona’s Chaos Gate; we’re going to:
Ʃ Calm Ocean’s Magnified

See you there!

“Ueeh?” Chigusa cocked her head. “This is unusual. Why is Kuhn-san suddenly calling on me to hang out? Oh well, this should be fun.”

OOooOOooOOooOO

Minutes later, Kuhn was standing at Breg Epona’s Chaos gate, leaning against the railing and watching the people walk by. Both Haseo and Atoli warped in at the same time. Haseo backed up a little, “Atoli…!”

Atoli blushed and pulled her hands up to her chin, “Haseo-san…”

Kuhn looked like he was trying not to burst into hysterics watching the two teenagers faced each other trying to avoid eye contact .

Haseo turned to face the skyline behind the Chaos Gate, trying to hide the fact that he was blushing, “What are you doing here?”

Atoli panicked and bowed, she was also trying to hide her face, “I’m sorry! Kuhn-san just invited me to hang out today! I didn’t know you’d be here, too!”

“He invited me, too.” Haseo said as he shot a glare to Kuhn.

“What?” Kuhn grinned, clearly trying to act innocent. “I thought the three of us could hang out today.”

Haseo bared his teeth, “You failed to mention that in your email.”

“Oh, did I now?” He scratched his head, feeling Haseo read his every move. “Sorry about that,” he shrugged, “You don’t have to get all flustered about it.”

Haseo turned bright red and clenched his fists, “I am not flustered!!”

“Uh-huh,” Kuhn responded sarcastically, rubbing his ear. “Right. I believe you. Not. Just invite Atoli and me into your party and let’s go to Ʃ Calm Ocean’s Magnified.”

Haseo grumbled as he turned to the Platform and he, Kuhn and Atoli warped to the area. It was a level 100 forest dungeon with a mission to reach the Beast’s Temple.

“Let’s have fun!” Atoli smiled.

“Let’s go!” Kuhn grinned; Haseo folded his arms and grunted in response.

They awkwardly but quickly made their way to the Beast’s Statue. Once there, Haseo stopped just before reaching the treasure chest and turned to Kuhn. “Okay, Kuhn, out with it. What’s going on here? Why did you invite both Atoli and I here without telling us?”

“Why would you think I have an agenda here?” Kuhn grinned.

“Because I know you,” Haseo glared.

Kuhn turned away and shrugged, sweat-dropping, “I think you’re being paranoid.”

“Please don’t fight you two,” Atoli fidgeted. “Let’s just get the treasure and go.”

“She’s right, Haseo,” Kuhn gave a wry smile.

Haseo kept his eyes locked on Kuhn, “In a minute. First, Kuhn, explain yourself!”

Kuhn grinned, “Why are the two of you so flustered today? Find anything interesting on the forums?”

Atoli squeaked, speechless, “That’s why you invited us? That…!”

The two teens turned bright red and looked at each other, as their eyes met they flushed deeper and sharply turned away.

“I’ll make you talk!” Haseo clenched his fist lunging towards Kuhn. “Spill it!!”

“H-Haseo-san…” Atoli stammered.

“You won’t make me,” Kuhn folded his arms.

“You saying I can’t?” Haseo grabbed Kuhn's collar.

“No. I’m saying you won’t.” Kuhn pulled Haseo's hands away. “This isn’t the Arena, and I’m not a PK, it would seriously damage your reputation.”

Haseo folded his arms, “Who ever said anything about PvP?”

“Haseo-san, calm down…!” Atoli shook her fists. Kuhn grinned sarcastically.

Kuhn smiled broadly, “Oh, you actually have another way of settling things besides brute force? When did this happen? Why wasn’t I informed?”

Haseo growled.

“Haseo-san,” Atoli blushed. “Is it really worth it to get all worked up over some silly picture?”

Haseo turned bright red, “What! That’s why?” Realizing he had let himself slip; he looked away and folded his arms, trying to pretend he had said nothing. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Kuhn burst out laughing; Haseo swung his arm down sharply, “Why are you laughing?” he screamed.

“Oh gawd! Hahahaha! This is so much better than I thought it would be! I thought maybe Atoli would have seen that picture on the forums in passing and your usual awkwardness around her would be enough, I never thought that you would have actually seen it, too!” Kuhn fell to his knees and flopped himself over the treasure chest as he continued laughing almost silently, banging his fist on the side of the chest.

Atoli turned completely red, “You, you really?” She ran to the Platform and transported out.

Haseo, now completely pissed, turned to Kuhn who had stopped laughing and stood up, “You! Never mind me, but did you really have to go and do that to her?”

“Suddenly protective of her, are we?” Kuhn asked coyly, wiping a tear from his eye and jabbing Haseo playfully in the side with his elbow.

“Shut the hell up!” Haseo looked away, red-faced and pushed Kuhn’s arm away.

“Send her a Short Mail,” Kuhn wrapped his arm around Haseo’s shoulders and whispered in his ear. “If you apologize for me and try to be on her side of the situation, she just might like you more! If she gets away, all my efforts will have been in vain.”

“Are you saying this was some sort of twisted matchmaking service?” Haseo glared fiercely, gripping Kuhn’s wrist.

Kuhn sweat-dropped, trying to ignore the fact that Haseo was probably trying to think of a way to kill him without anyone ever noticing, “Iiwouldn't say ‘matchmaking’, more like, ‘pushing two people together who are meant for each other’.”

Haseo tightened his grip on Kuhn’s wrist as his cheeks glowed brighter, “What?!”

Kuhn made a wincing motion, “Are you saying you you’ve never entertained the thought?”

Haseo paused as Ryou opened up the menu to send a Sort Mail, Atoli… Just ignore Kuhn. He’s an idiot. Hold on a second, I want to talk to you.

“Haha! There is nothing like PK!” A shrill female voice could be heard from outside the temple.

A male voice accompanied the first, laughing, “Yeah, that’s what this game is all about!”

Haseo grinned as he let go of Kuhn’s wrist, who then pulled away, “Heh. You are so damn lucky…”

“Don’t draw attention to yourself,” Kuhn said. “Sakaki-”

“I’d draw more attention to myself if I didn’t fight PKers,” Haseo grinned. “Besides, they're gonna attack me anyway if they see me...” ‘And anyway, what does it really matter whether or not I draw attention to myself or not anyway? “Too Cocky” has probably got a permanent channel glued to me …’

“Pi will have your head…” Kuhn cautioned in vain. The owners of the two voices walked in. Both Human; one, the girl, was a teen Tribal Grappler with long, blonde hair, a green halter top, khaki short-shorts that seemed to have some form of armor plates over them and green and black high boots; she was also wearing a green hair bow as a decorative hat. Her name was NecoConeco.

The other, the man, was an adult Edge Punisher named Ironhide with silver hair pulled back in a ponytail and wearing a light blue long coat and pants with black boots, the armor had yellow adornments. Haseo scowled a little as Ironhide’s general PC design reminded him a little of Sakaki before he had infected himself with AIDA.

“Too late!” Haseo grinned. ‘Heh. A PKer who looks like “Too Cocky”… I’m going to enjoy this!’

‘Guess that’s true… Pi can’t take from Haseo what he’s never had to begin with…’ Kuhn thought to himself as he shrugged. He looked up to watch as Haseo turned around and looked straight at the two PKers.

“It’s ‘The Terror of Death’!” Ironhide exclaimed.

“You’re Haseo?” NecoConeco stammered.

“Yeah, yeah,” Haseo waved his hand away, showing his disinterest. “Tell me your story of how you have a personal vendetta against me and let’s get this over with; I’m not in a good mood.”

“We won’t let you get us!” NecoConeco screamed as she readied her fists.

“Been there, heard that. What is it this time? You punks from Kestrel?”

‘I think he enjoys irritating these people…!’ Kuhn sweat-dropped and thought to himself as the two PKers lunged at Haseo. Haseo easily dodged NecoConeco’s punches and jumped over Ironhide’s sword. As he came down from the jump, he pulled out his scythe.

“Heavenly Wheel!” The attack defeated NecoConeco, and left Ironhide weakened. Ironhide moved to attack Haseo, but found that he had disappeared.

“Huh?” Ironhide tried to figure out what happened to his opponent by looking around him. Seconds later, he fell to the ground; his hit points having reached 0. Behind him, Haseo stood holding his dual swords. He reached behind him and put the oversized daggers away.

“I told you I was in a bad mood…” Haseo approached the Platform, pausing for a few seconds, and returned to town.

Kuhn watched the two unconscious PCs disappear, laughing nervously.“I think I may have dodged a bullet there. Or a small freight train.”

OOooOOooOOooOO

Sender: Haseo
To: Atoli
Subject: About Kuhn's idiocy...

Atoli, just ignore Kuhn when he's being an idiot. ...Wait, he's never not being an idiot. Don't take what Kuhn says too seriously. He's an idiot.

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A/N: Nickname ‘Too Cocky’ for Sakaki credited to Dad.