Band-aid [Q/C]

» Almost like clockwork, Finn jogged around a corner with his spear resting on his shoulders with his arms wrapped around it like a scarecrow. Well a clock that runs fifteen to twenty minutes fast. He had a solid routine for his days since getting trapped in this game. He would wake up everyday before the sun rises to go train with his spear, then he would do a quick quest for some money with anyone around, and then spend late morning to midday trying to find someone in distress. He had actually just been showing some newbie where to pick up one of the starter quests on his way over.

"Yo, Liatris~" he casually called out upon seeing her, "Sorry to keep you waiting! I ran into a total scrub who couldn't find one of the starter quests. I showed him where to go and gave directions to the next do he should do so he should be fine now!"

He couldn't help grinning like an idiot. This was his daily sustenance after all. The act of a good deed, providing assistance, guiding a poor soul. It was his favorite thing to do and much to his benefit it would appear this game world had no short supply of ignorant people who were dying for a bit of help to get by.

His expression grew more disdained when he laid eyes on the baker. He had heard enough rumors about this dumb quest. It was a basic transport quest. Take quest item from point A to point B. He detested these sorts of quests for starting out, but he had to do them none the less if he wanted to get money and advance to the real stuff.

He slid his spear off of his shoulders, twirled it a little for effect, and planted the pommel into the dirt. "So we just gotta run this guy's bread to his doppelganger across the way right? Sign me up, Liatris~"

With a flick of his fingers, he played with his menu buttons to send Liatris a party invite and get the quest started for them.

» Finn couldn't help but smile a little more when he was around Liatris. She was just one of those friends that made his mood better in most any situation. He couldn't help himself in feeling pumped in this crazy game with him. Not that he'd ever actually tell them. He wouldn't wish a life or death game on anyone. But if one were to occur and he was one of the victims... well he'd sign all of his friends up too.

Finn's behavior was somewhere between an impatient five year old waiting for his mother to stop having a conversation with her friend at the grocery store and a preteen girl trying to get her dad to let her go out with her friends past 9:15. A mixture of exaggerated hand motions symbolizing the need for haste, and a constant response of "Yes, I know," followed by begging for the bread.

When they finally exhausted his dialogue and were given the quest item, a half shout/half sigh of relief left Finn's mouth. Almost on cue Liatris clasped onto his arm, ready to get along with the quest too. "Yes! Let us play delivery for <<Lazily Designed Model>>!"

He didn't mind letting Liatris grab on to him like this. Finn didn't have any romantic feelings for Liatris, despite their roles in these online communities lining up, but she was a valued friend who made him happy. He always thought she felt the same way about him. They fit together well for fun like in situations like this.

Finn took dull notes of the buildings they passed on their walk. He couldn't believe that Liatris was stuck in the game or any of his buddies from the club at first. Since he had spent his first day alone he had assumed no one got on. Of course, he couldn't use his cellphone while in the game which would make it difficult to communicate their names and locations.

"So how have you been holding up, Moe Flower?" a dumb nickname he came up with after learning what her name meant, "I gotta say this game is a total shavefest on a treadmill. I've done like a ton of quests, but I can't seem to level up quickly at all. I was hoping we would have one floor out of the way by now.." He rarely had anything to talk about besides games, infinitely more difficult when life becomes a game.

» Finn feigned an expression of genuine shock at her comment.

"Um, excuse me? A 'speedy-mcgee'? How dare~" He played along with her joking and flirty tone, "Maybe if everyone sped up a little bit I wouldn't appear to be going fast."

He did know that there was truth to her words. He was one to typically rush through things. First to play, first to max, first to burn out. He just couldn't help that his pace was always maximum overdrive, or just high gear. Even now, he was taking careful, measured steps as to not walk faster than Liatris. After giving a playful "Hmph!" to add a little more the argument he couldn't help thinking..

It was kinda nice to take it a little slow. He was in such a rush that life sped on by, but at the moment he could take stock of his situation and relax for a moment. The tiniest little sigh slipped from his lips. He'd never admit that he liked doing these slow quests, an image to keep up and what not, but maybe there was something to appreciate in these moments.

He was drug out of his thoughts by Liatris' ominous statement. He could sense fear and doubt. The very same question probably lingered on almost everyone's minds here.

"Of course we will.." He dropped the playful tone. His 'hero instincts' told him that it would be dramatic to reach up toward the sky like he was grasping something, so he did. His hand was held aloft. His open palm faced the sky as if to cup one of the clouds floating over. He peered through his fingers wondering if there was anything even up there. "We will because we have to. There's no other way about it. We can't stay here forever. Everyone knows what they have to do."

He let his hand fall limply to his side as he turned his gaze back toward the horizon ahead.

"Fight."

He faced Liatris and gave her a smile. "That's all we can do here. The whole point of the game really." He slipped his arm out from her grasp and wrapped it around her shoulder. He pulled her close, lowering his head to be on the same level as hers. "You and me and Saint and all of the others will stand at the top! When this whole thing come crashing down they'll be singing our names like heroes!"

Finn gave her a small squeeze before pulling away with his trademarked grin. "Nothing's gonna change that~ Not if I have anything to say about it."