[Networking] New Kids in Town, New Targets

-At the Guild Hall-

Karma is staring at the mission paper she was given not too long ago:  “Hmm interesting…”

Jonathan leaned over her shoulder, sparkling eyes darting across the page. “We’re getting to adventure outside the town? This is going to be so cool!”

Karma grinned at him. “Oh yeah! I can’t wait to leave this town a bit. See what’s out there for us.”

“Yeah! I bet- what’s it?” He checked the paper again before speaking again. “South Warren has so much to explore. Circles- I can’t wait!”

“Then let’s go!”, yelled Karma full with excitement. “But ah- what should we bring with us? Do you think we are gonna fight something out there?” Her eyes shined.

“Ah- hm…” Jonathan tapped his chin. “Surely we’ll need some sort of weapon right? Our team leader is Blaise, so maybe we should ask him?” His ears drooped slightly as he contemplated. “I’m not too sure how many dangerous animals we’ll run into.”

“Hmm yeah… probably a few at least.” Karma checked her pockets absentmindedly, then sped up, touching and searching frantically. “Perhaps none would be better- man where have I put that stupid stone?”

Jonathan looked at her curiously. “Stone? Like a companion stone?”

Karma snapped her fingers at him. “Yep that’s the one! It should be ah-” She finally grabbed the stone and presented it proudly at Jonathan. “Here! With this we will not lose any battle at all.”

Jonathan looked at the fiery stone with awe. “Woah- when’d you get this? That’ll surely keep us safe!” His eyes sparkled and he clenched his paws. “Then we just need to go to Oren’s and grab a weapon then! And uh… maybe a map.”

Karma grinned. “That’s a secret hehe. Weapons huh…” She looked away a bit bashfully. “I will leave the weapon purchase up to you… In the meantime, I will look for that map!” She straightened up even more, ready to leave.

“Right! I can do that! I have a bit of money from helping out mama.” He clapped his paws together. “Do you have a preference or…?”

“Hmm…you know, whenever I walked by Oren’s shop one weapon always stood out to me…” She flexed her arms in the air, showing off her well formed muscles. “And it’s that beauty of a steel greathammer!”

Jonathan’s eyes sparkled. “A steel greathammer?!” His wings flapped open as he stared at his friend in awe. “Those things always seemed so hard to wield! That’s so cool! I’ll be sure to grab one for you!”

“Really?! You would? Aw Jonathan you are my man!” She exclaimed excitedly. “Heh. Well, if you train under Vac for years weapons like that are like wielding sticks.” Karma stood there, basking in the overwhelming feeling of happiness, then shook herself off. “Man, I am pumped! Let’s go Jonathan!”

Grinning, Jonathan answered, “Of course. We have to keep safe after all.” He nodded as she explained her weapons proficiency. Vac clearly trained her students well. “Right!” Taking up the front, Jonathan dashed off, splitting apart from Karma to head straight for Oren’s.

Karma huffed out a tiny laugh and set off to gather the map.

Luckily, the walk to the shopping district, and thus Oren’s smithy, was only a short distance. Jonathan was able to purchase the great hammer, with just enough Capella for a dagger himself. He wasn’t quite sure about wielding a weapon. Maybe a dagger would suffice for his limited experience. With the two items in tow, he stepped out into the shopping district. Supplies… Atlas’ store caught his eye. Maybe he’d have supplies for an expedition.

Finding the map wasn’t hard and as such Karma decided to look around a bit more at the Guild Hall. She wanted to soak in all available information about their upcoming journey. Usually all of this planning and strategizing was more of her good friend Nympha’s forte but time has passed and she felt like it was time to grow a bit more responsible. If only because Nym wasn’t there for her this time around. Karma shook her head, ridding herself from this deep melancholy. “No time for that” she told herself. Then she stood up and headed to the meet-up spot where she would wait for Jonathan.

Atlas thankfully had some supplies for the journey, allowing Jonathan to pick up a small medical kit alongside some extra food. Packing his supplies in his bag, he quickly made his way back to the spot they had designated to meet up at. His mind wandered as he walked, thinking of Ixi and his brothers. She had been so proud when he was willing to take the Expedition. She was already going herself, and she was so excited when he had told her he had signed up. He couldn’t help his own excitement. A town full of Nyulop seemingly proficient in Druidism? How much could they know? The reason for why this Expedition could be taking place didn’t even cross his mind as he approached the meeting spot.

Upon seeing Jonathan getting closer Karma waved at him with a smile. He looked a bit deep in thought but she concluded that it’s probably because of the upcoming expedition. Nerves perhaps. They showed each other the items they had gathered. Karma was extra excited for her new weapon. Finally, the first step to becoming a true adult! With everything gathered, a few shared deep breaths between the two young nyulops, and they decided it was time to set off to their first ever expedition together.