A/N: Please Enjoy and Review

Lawliness: Thanks for the reviews. From Sword Art Online's storyline, there are 100 floors in Aincrad to climb in order to reach the top. And just like the series didn't cover each and every single floor, I probably won't either. But I did want to go over the first couple of them. There will be a time skip eventually, but it will most likely be several chapters down the line.

Chapter 4 – Not Alone

It was several hours later that the torches of the front gate of the Town of Beginnings finally came into view. Without a weapon to defend himself and his life already hanging on by a thread, it had taken forever for Zuko to slowly make his way back. Several times he had to double back to avoid detection from a group of wild boars or bees that were roaming the fields. There were a couple of instances when he saw teams of people fighting against the wildlife as well. However, not wanting a repeat of his last incident with the brigands that had tried to mug him, the young firebender decided not to risk the chance of asking them for help.

The light of the evening sun was starting to set in the distance as dusk covered the grassy meadow. His charge shifted weakly in his grip. "Hang on Roma, we're almost there. I'll get you some help as soon as I can," reassured the fire prince as he drew closer to the front gate. In addition to the host of city guards manning their stations, there were several people milling about.

"Look at his face. What could have scarred him that badly out there?"

"His clothes are completely shredded."

"Oh man, it seems like his entire party got wiped out."

"He probably just ran to save himself, coward."

"Can you really blame him?"

"What happened out there?"

"This is only the first floor. If players are coming back looking like that, then how are we supposed to win?"

"It's hopeless."

Zuko disregarded the onlookers as he continued to limp forward. No one was making the effort to approach him. So instead he walked up to one of the guards on duty. "A healer, where can I find a healer?" he pleaded.

The city guard glanced down at the injured player. Lifting the visor on his helm, a nondescript face stared at the wounded fox in the boy's arms. Without warning, Zuko found a lance tip staring him directly in the face. "You're under arrest bandit. Disarm and come along quietly."

Taken by surprise at this unexpected turn of events, the young firebender jumped back a few feet to create some space between him and the unanticipated threat. Two more guards stepped up next to the first and out of the corner of his eye, Zuko spied two more approaching from the left and one from the right. "You can't be serious?! I haven't done anything wrong! Quit messing around and get a healer here now!"

"Player ID #28334052," stated the lead guard matter-of-factly, "committed an act of aggression against green status Player ID #73290481 on 6 November, 2022, at fourteen thirty two server time. There is a total of eighteen hours and forty two minutes remaining before player's status returns to green. This is your second warning, disarm and stand down for immediate detainment until the end of your sentence."

Zuko's mind raced. 'Six against one.' He felt the empty weight of the sheath wrapped around his waist. 'I could really use some fire right about now.' The lead guard took another step forward as the young firebender matched him with a step backwards. He could hear the onlookers gawking behind him.

"What's going on now?"

"The NPC guards are about to arrest that kid."

"Maybe he's the reason why he returned alone without a party. Probably pk'ed them and was stupid enough to try and walk back into town."

"Looking closer, he seems pretty dangerous actually; almost feral even with that scar."

"Stay back everyone. Let the guards handle it."

Glancing up at the bar in the top left corner of his vision, Zuko stared at the small amount of red color that remained. He turned back to the guards and dropped slowly into a ready stance. All six city guards tensed at the action as lances were raised into position. Then without a word, the young firebender ran. He tore past the crowd of onlookers who jumped to the side in panic. Lances struck the cobblestone road around him as he sprinted. Gripping Roma tighter, Zuko didn't stop until he was clear of the town's gate and out of sight of any pursuit.

Breathing heavily, the young firebender collapsed next to an undersized boulder with two large bushes on either side of it. Looking at the life bar on Roma, the percentage remaining was just as low as his own. The weariness of all this running around was catching up to him as his legs sluggishly refused to move as he tried to stand again.

"No weapon, no food, no medicine, you're doing really great surviving out here Zuko," he taunted himself as he took measure of his predicament. "Wild animals want to kill you, random people want to hurt you, and guards want to arrest you, quite the champion aren't you?" He petted Roma softly trying to make her feel comfortable. "I'm just glad that Azula can't see me right now. I can hear her belittling, snarky comments already about how I can barely keep myself alive, much less a pet. I'll figure something out Roma."

Several heavy footsteps sounded from behind the rock, approaching his hiding place casually. Tensing for another sprint, the young firebender's legs screamed in protest as he gritted his teeth and willed them to listen to him. The footsteps were getting closer; it was time to move.

Pushing up with all his remaining strength, Zuko stumbled only once as he started, but it was enough. A hand reached out and grasped his shoulder as the fire prince was pulled back and wrapped up in a fierce hold. Stomping down with his heel, Zuko aimed for the closest foot he could see, but his pursuer was smart enough to keep a distance with his lower body.

"Easy there buddy, can't have you running off on us now," came a stalwart sounding voice from the man holding the fire prince. "That would be counterproductive to my master plan."

Finally finding purchase with his heel, Zuko dug down hard as he shifted his weight to jab his elbow into the stranger's squishy midsection. Breaking free, the fire prince shuffled to the side to create some space. Unfortunately, he was too focused on escaping that he failed to notice the brown haired girl in his way. A quick collision later, both found themselves sprawled out on the ground.

Momentarily dazed, Zuko's eyes came back into focus to the sight of a kind old man extending his hand out to help the fire prince up. "Calm down young'un, I'm afraid I can't take a hit like my grandson here can and you seem pretty excitable right now." Glancing back at his captor, Zuko noticed an elderly woman helping a brown haired girl up before assisting a confident looking young man back to his feet while fretting over his side.

Hesitantly, the firebender took the offered hand. Having the decency to feel a little ashamed of his rash actions, he apologized, "I'm sorry about my outburst. I met some individuals earlier who weren't exactly looking out for other people's well-being."

Shaking the firebender's hand with a surprising strong grip for his age, the elderly man replied, "Can't say I really blame you lad. The world's going to hell in a hand-basket and everyone's scared out of their minds. My name's Hannes and this is my wife, Anka, and my grandchildren, Mark and Lisbeth."

Anka approached them. "That kit in your arms; it doesn't seem to be doing too well." She dug into a pouch at her side and produced a health potion. "Here, please use this."

Zuko stared at the red health potion being offered to him for a minute before he recalled the same medicine from his first encounter with an olive haired girl named Argo. "Thank you," he said gratefully as he accepted the potion and administered it to Roma. The fox's health rose back up to a little over half way and she stirred in his arms.

"We only played this game to spend some time with our grandchildren," started Anka as she looked at the fox with a sad smile. "I had gotten the foolish idea for us to join them for the launch. And now we're stuck here in this death game." Fighting back the tears, she handed another potion to Zuko. "One for you too deary, drink up."

Hannes put an arm around his wife. "At least we're here with them honey. If you hadn't talked me into playing with them, then we would be stuck outside while our grandchildren were trapped in this game by themselves."

Roma jumped out of Zuko's arms as he drank from the health potion. He could feel his strength returning to him as the sweet liquid touched his throat. It tasted like strawberries. Lisbeth and Mark walked up to join the group as the latter clutched his right side with his opposite hand. Walking right up to Zuko, the brown haired man reared back and clocked the unsuspecting firebender with a sucker punch.

Reacting instantly, Roma launched herself at the man only to fly though empty space as Mark ducked underneath the leaping animal. Reaching down to help the fire prince up, he said with a cocky smile, "There, now we're even."

World still spinning and ears still ringing, Zuko had enough bearings left to grip the offered hand and sweep out with his legs to knock Mark over onto the ground with him. "No, now we're even."

Glaring at each other, both the young fire prince and Mark, who looked to be a little over twenty, dared the other to try another move. Stepping in between the two, Hannes protested, "Enough, both of you. You're both tough, now stand up, start over, and shake hands."

Begrudgingly, Zuko stood up first as Roma returned to his side looking questioningly at the developing situation. Still sitting on his backside, Mark offered out his hand with a smug grin wide across his face; which the fire prince just stared at. "If you think I'm foolish enough to fall for a trick that I just pulled myself, then you're dumber than I first gave you credit for."

"Excuse my brother," broke in Lisbeth, making herself known. "He's usually just a pain. However, you owe me an apology. So out with it."

Turning to truly look at the brown haired girl for the first time, Zuko saw an impatient, annoyed face staring back at him. Her arms were crossed and her left leg was tapping the ground in irritation. "Well?"

"For bumping into you?" replied the fire prince. "You're joking right? I thought that you all were pursuing me. I was trying to get away."

"We were pursuing you," shot back Lisbeth. "You came limping back into town nearly dead and got chased out by NPCs. Call us curious."

"Curious enough to wander out at night into a field of monsters after someone who was running away from city guards? And my uncle calls me foolish."

Patting the copper mace on her hip, Lisbeth assertively countered, "Don't worry about us. I can take care of myself and my older brother has been known to get a hit in every now and then while he acts as cannon fodder."

"Hey!" cried out Mark in mock grief as he stood up. "You know I'm better than that."

Ignoring him, Lisbeth continued, "Now what's up with that orange marker? Spill it."

Confused again, Zuko just remained silent. Breathing out in a huff of exasperation, Lisbeth pointed up above his head where a faint orange icon was hovering. Then she pointed again at the faint green icons floating over the heads of her party. "Those markers. Now what did you do to make yours orange?"

"I didn't do anything," protested Zuko defensively. "I haven't been able to figure this place out from the moment I got here."

"Green players are normal players that have been playing the game as it was meant to be played, fighting monsters and engaging others in friendly duels. Orange players have committed a crime of some sort like stealing, property damage, or hurting a green player. Red players are the worst kind of player. They get that status for killing another player," summarized Mark as he crossed his arms sagely. "Usually, in these kinds of games, it's not uncommon for people to role play as heroes and villains. However, assuming what Kayaba Akihiko said to be true, then being an orange player in this game is the same thing as being a thief or a thug and a red player, well that's no different than a murder."

"Which is why I want to know why your marker is orange," pressured Lisbeth a third time. "We helped you out, now start talking."

"You all followed me out this far knowing that the orange marker meant that I did something wrong?" pieced together Zuko is slight disbelief. "I don't know whether I should thank you for being more curious than frightened or impressed by the recklessness of fools."

Drawing her mace, Lisbeth casually tapped the blunt head against her off-weapon hand. "You want to rephrase that? I don't think I heard you quite right."

Remembering his own lack of any instrument that could be considered sharp or menacing, Zuko quickly steered the conversion back on track. "Look, all I know is that I left the town after all the madness started to go down. I traveled through the field for a while trying to avoid pretty much everyone, but this group of three got in my way and tried to rob me. The first guy was bragging about having an orange marker too, but Roma dealt with him easily enough." The little fox beamed at his side after hearing the praise. "The second got a cheap shot in on me, but I managed to cut through the third and escape."

"The one you fought to escape," interrupted Mark. "Was it a green or an orange player?"

"I don't know. Only the first guy said something about being orange. And I didn't exactly stick around long enough to check out the other two. But I think I remember seeing something green floating over their heads like you all have." Zuko stopped there, debating to himself whether or not he should talk about the cavern he found as well. He decided to leave it out. "After that I wandered around again until I stumbled back into town."

"Well that explains the marker," accepted Mark easily.

"But not the lack of weapon and the scar on your face," pressed Lisbeth. "You left something out."

Shaking his head, Zuko denied it. "I've had this scar for awhile. As for my sword, I dropped it; somewhere out on the field in my haste."

"Some swordsman you are," taunted the brown haired girl. "You're going to have to tell me about that scar though. Sounds like there's a good story behind it." Glancing at her brother she missed the pained expression on the firebender's face in regards to his scar. "And you're sure that you still want to invite this guy to tag along with us?"

"Wait, what?" replied Zuko abruptly. Without warning, he was wrapped up in a friendly headlock by Mark who was grinning like an idiot.

"Of course I do!" he laughed. "Fighting to protect an innocent creature! Standing up to bullies! Able to run like the dickens when he's outmatched! He's got all the makings of a hero, just like me!" Waving his free arm around with enthusiasm, Mark continued to move about dragging Zuko with him, the latter of who was flailing with both arms trying to break free. "He seems like he's new to MMOs, but that just means he can learn how to play the right way. I've always wanted a protégé."

Finally releasing the fire prince, Mark slapped him roughly on the back with a heartily chuckle. "How about it? Wanna team up with us and learn from the best?"

Recovering, Zuko leveled a glare at the confident looking man standing next to him. "No, I don't want to team up. I'm thankful for the help, but I'll be fine on my own."

"Ah, don't be that way," rebuttaled Mark with a mock frown.

Clearing his voice, Hannes spoke up again. "You really should take my grandson up on his offer. My wife and I are going to return to the Town of Beginnings, and I would appreciate knowing that I wasn't sending my grandkids out into this dangerous world alone."

Dismayed, Lisbeth turned to her grandfather, "But I thought that we were all going to go together!"

With a sad smile, Hannes shook his head. "I'm sorry sweetheart, but I couldn't ask that of Anka. It took a lot of convincing just to get her to follow us out this far to chase after this boy."

Zuko noticed that the elderly matriarch was trembling slightly at her husband's side. 'He's right. She barely has the courage to be out here right now as it is.'

Continuing, Hannes looked at Mark, "I expect you to watch over Lisbeth. Keep her safe. This game, it's meant for the young in body and spirit, not for those of us just young at heart." Stretching his back, he sighed. "My aches and pains would only slow you all down. And as much as it kills me to admit this, I'm not as young as I once was."

"But how can we split up from you and grandma?" protested Lisbeth as she hugged both of them.

Looking down at his granddaughter with a light smile, Hannes placed his hand on her head. "Ever since Kayaba Akihiko made his announcement, your grandmother and I knew it would come to this. As much as I don't want to let you kids go out there and fight, I know I can't hold you back."

Looking at her grandmother, Lisbeth asked, "Is that true?"

Tearing up, Anka hugged her granddaughter tighter. "I want you to stay with us in the Town of Beginnings where no one can harm you. Let someone else save the day. I just want my grandchildren safe at my side." Hannes put a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Hannes…I can't…I just can't give them my blessing to head out on their own." The tears were flowing freely now.

Standing next to Zuko's side as both of them watched the heartfelt scene before them; Mark whispered lightly, "In all seriousness, I realize we don't know you at all. And to be honest, that story you just told us could be complete bull. But the fact that you have the orange marker tells me that you know what it's going to take to survive in this harsh world we all find ourselves in. That's why I want you to team up with us. Because this game isn't going to be easy."

Taken back a bit, Zuko narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "You're more calculating than you act. But what makes you think I won't just rob you all blind and leave you for dead so that I can survive. As you pointed out yourself, I've got the stomach to fight."

With a smirk, Mark replied, "Call it a gut feeling. You did save that kit after all. Gotta be some good in ya somewhere. Now let's go help out granddad, shall we?" His serious demeanor had faded away completely and his happy-go-lucky attitude had returned.

"Wait, I haven't given you my answer yet," objected Zuko as he was caught in another headlock and dragged towards the embracing family members, Roma following closely behind.

"Don't cry grandma! I promise that I'll keep Lisbeth safe," boasted Mark as they approached. "Nothing can beat a leading man after all!"

Wiping away her tears, Lisbeth forced a smile, "Leading man? You've always been more of a supporting role in these kinds of games."

Deflating slightly as he continued to tow the fire prince forward, Mark countered, "Lisbeth, please."

Releasing her granddaughter from their embrace, Anka looked at Zuko expectantly. 'Why is she looking at me so intensely? It's not like whatever I say is going to affect her decision anyway. I've only known these people for about five minutes,' he thought inwardly.

Unclipping her sword from her belt, Anka handed it to the young firebender, who took the weapon somewhat awkwardly from his headlocked position. "I won't be needing this. Put it to good use please."

Realizing that she was giving her permission for her grandchildren to journey forth, Zuko looked at the weapon he had accepted. "I don't really have much choice in the matter, do I?" he sighed in defeat.

"Nope!" beamed Mark as he nodded to his grandfather who in return shook his grandson's hand fiercely before handing him a picture.

"Here, it's the picture we all took when we first entered this game world. I want you two to have it. Be safe out there." Taking his wife by the hand, Hannes turned back in the direction the Town of Beginnings. "Have faith in them dear. Our grandchildren are strong."

Looking over from his headlocked position, Zuko took a look at the picture. It was an image of the four family members standing together in a bazaar back in the Town of Beginnings. Hannes and Anka were smiling in the background while Lisbeth was beaming with happiness and giving a victory sign with her right hand. Mark had his hands on his hips as he was smirking at his sister's antics. 'Must have been before that big announcement.'

"Dynamic Slice!" shouted Mark as he slashed through two giant insects at once with a sword skill. "Oh yeah! I'm awesome!" he cheered as a level up screen appeared in front of him, announcing his promotion to level three.

"Do you have to shout out stupid names for your sword skills every time?" sighed Lisbeth from behind her brother. "Aren't you an adult now? How can you still be acting so childish?"

"Ah, don't be like that sis. Shouting out 'Slash!' or 'Thrust!' sounds so lame. Kayaba Akihiko really could have put better effort into naming the starting sword skills. I hope the more advanced ones have cooler sounding names." He started to allocate his newly acquired attribute points.

She smacked him on the back of the head with an open palm. "I meant don't shout out anything! You don't see me doing something so childish, do you?"

Rubbing his head gently, Mark looked back at his screen, "Ah! I accidently put all my points into vitality. I was hoping to get some agility and dexterity in that level up."

Zuko just continued down the path as the siblings carried on with their antics. It had been three days since they had teamed up. His player status had returned to green on the second day. The first night they had just camped out on the hill where they initially met. Only Mark and Roma had really slept soundly. Lisbeth wasn't completely trusting of the fire prince to keep watch during his shift, and Zuko was too preoccupied trying to get his head wrapped around the world he now found himself in to sleep. At the start, Mark had taken the first watch, but since Zuko was up anyway, he took the time to explain the game basics and answer the firebender's questions.

It took some doing, but Zuko finally got used to the menus that continuously popped up in the world. Also he learned how unprepared he was for traveling by himself. His inventory was completely devoid of any healing potions, food, water, or other supplies. All stuff that Mark and Lisbeth had stocked up on back in the Town of Beginnings.

Glancing back at the two again, he saw Lisbeth giving another lecture to her older brother about how he needed to grow up and start acting his age. As much as he initially resisted being in a group again, the familiarity of his teammates was starting to grow on him. Roma, on the other hand, had opened up immediately. The little fox had taken a liking to Lisbeth right from the start, though she still shied away from Mark whenever he got close. Probably had something to do with the eccentric man trying to put a cape on the little fox during the team's first night together. That did not end well for Mark.

Still, once they reached the next town, Zuko was thinking about going his own way. He had learned much from Mark about how this world worked. It seemed that by slaying wild creatures out in the field, one would acquire something called experience points which in turn would increase one's level once enough were amassed. The first time that Zuko leveled up yesterday, it was a shock to see the attribute screen pop up and he could feel himself actually getting stronger as he placed some points into strength and agility. A small amount of Col would drop as well; sometimes even an item of sorts too. Mark had explained that quest givers in towns would provide a better source of Col for helping them with their problems than slaying a bunch of monsters. 'After one of these quests, I'll thank them for their help and part ways,' decided Zuko to himself.

"Whatcha thinking about buddy?" questioned Mark as he slung his arm around Zuko's shoulders to walk alongside the firebender. "Still not brooding about me knocking you off that hill yesterday into that big lake, right? I told you that you had a bug on your back the size of my fist!"

"I landed on top of a large boar that was taking a drink at the water's edge. He tried to gore me with his tusks after he managed to buck me off. I was lucky that the water's surface slowed the beast down," grumbled Zuko as his train of thought was disrupted. He shrugged off Mark's arm. "And I told you several times already. I'm not your buddy, so quit trying to act like we're best friends."

"Ah, don't be like that," replied Mark. "After you defeated that large boar, you leveled up. So I'd chalk that incident up to a win."

Before Zuko could get anymore irritated, Lisbeth interrupted, "So we're almost at the next town right. What was it called again?"

"Horunka Village," answered Mark, checking his map. "It's a small farming village on the edge of a forest. Nowhere near as big as the Town of Beginnings, but it should have a good couple of quests for us to take and shops to replenish our supplies."

"It sounds peaceful," replied Lisbeth as she picked up Roma. "I just hope that the inn has hot water baths."

"We're in a virtual world, there's no need to worry about baths," laughed Mark. "I'm hoping for some good food instead. I could use a hot meal."

"Humph, you may enjoy walking around like a smelly mess, but some of us here prefer to not have people flee at the first whiff of our body odor. Isn't that right, cutie?" she petted the little fox in her hands as she walked ahead.

The interruption over, Mark turned back to Zuko, who had resumed his brooding as the group traveled. "So you still haven't answered my last seven questions about your scar. How'd ya get it? Playing with matches? Grease fire in the kitchen? Running into a burning building?"

Fuming silently, Zuko pushed ahead as well to distance himself from Mark. "Just one quest, if I can last that long..." he mumbled as he tried to block out further inquiries from the vocal man calling out from behind.

Arriving in Horunka Village later that afternoon, the group broke up to explore the place. Lisbeth said she was going to make sure the inn had rooms available while Mark wanted to go check in with the local blacksmith. That left Zuko free to wander around on his own.

A giant windmill graced the center of the village as the huge propellers turned gently in the breeze. The slowly setting sun bathed the skyline in an auburn hue. "That sunset reminds me of the small island villages back in the Fire Nation," said the fire prince to himself as he took in the sight. "None of them had a giant windmill such as this, but the casual feeling is still the same." Roma's attention wavered as something caught the little fox's eye. She suddenly dashed away to the left of the windmill. "Hey, where are you…?" Zuko's gaze tracked forward to see a small chicken coop fenced off from the main road next to the central windmill. "Oh-no."

Racing after his pet, the firebender wasn't able to catch up to the little speed demon as Roma used a nearby wooden cart and stack of barrels to clear the fence and land inside the chicken coop. Immediately, the chickens inside began to flutter around as their feathers ruffled and dirt flew every which way in their haste to evade the unwelcomed predator. Roma was having a field day pouncing at anything that moved.

"Hey! Knock it off, would you?!" shouted Zuko as he reached the fence wire. Spotting a gate nearby, he rushed inside after the excited kit. At once he was lost in a sea of feathers as the frantic poultry flew around his face. Villagers and players alike had begun to crowd around the fencing as they pointed and laughed at the annoyed fire prince inside attempting to calm his pet. This was starting to become quite the spectacle.

Ten minutes later, a disgruntled firebender was covered in white feathers standing outside of the chicken coop holding an innocent looking fox by the furry cuff of its neck. "You do that again, and I'll tie you to a post outside town until we leave. You got that?" To his annoyance, Roma was still paying more attention to the chickens roaming around in the coop than to her scolding master.

As the fire prince turned to leave, he was stopped by an angry looking farmhand. "Hey there pal. Thanks to you, the chickens will probably be too spooked to lay eggs by the morning. We're going to lose out on sales." The farmhand held out his hand expectantly. "We usually make about fifty Col in egg sales every morning. You're going to pay that now."

Zuko looked at the farmhand then back at Roma. Placing the unabashed kit into the extended hand, the fire prince turned to walk away. "She's all yours."

"What?!" protested the farmhand as he shouted at the young firebender's back. No longer being secured at the cuff of the neck by her master, Roma dashed back into at the chicken coop. "Hey stop!" lamented the farmhand as the wild fox disrupted the upset fouls a second time.

Half an hour later, Zuko walked into the inn to find Lisbeth and Mark sitting at a table having dinner. A pot of beef stew had been placed in the center of the table and Lisbeth was in the middle of serving herself while Mark had already begun eating. "There you are, and right on time too! I wanted to wait a little longer, but my brother said that it would be a shame to let a hot meal cool." The brown haired girl took a second look at the few white feathers still stuck to the firebender's tunic and the ragged appearance of his hair. "What happened to you?"

"Chickens," replied Zuko as he sat down. Roma hopped up onto the table and the fire prince shot her a sour look as the little fox stared at the still steaming beef stew. Lisbeth poured the kit a bowl, but before she could place it down in front of the little fox, Zuko intercepted the bowl. "Nope, no supper for her. She's being punished." Pleading eyes immediately appeared on the fox's face, but the fire prince remained resolute. "You know what you did."

"Such a stern father," commented Mark in between spoonfuls of his stew. Breaking off a piece of his bread roll, he offered it to Roma. However, the little kit continued to stare at Zuko. "And such a disciplined daughter."

"Disciplined? You wouldn't be saying that if you saw her earlier," grumbled the young firebender.

Taking a bite of her own meal, Lisbeth petted Roma kindly. "Whatever happened, it couldn't have been that bad. She was probably just being playful. There's no way this cutie-pie could do anything wrong."

Looking at the judgmental stares from his party and the innocent expression on Roma's face, Zuko sighed in defeat. Placing the bowl of beef stew in front of the fox, he grumbled, "Pesky little chicken chaser…"

"So get this," started Mark in-between bites. "I think I found us a quest to take. There was this kind old woman at the blacksmith's place. She was looking for adventurers to go into the woods and find some medical ingredient for her sick husband. Apparently there was another player earlier who…Humpf!" Choking on a piece of bread, Mark desperately made a grab for his water, but only managed to knock the cup over, spilling the refreshing liquid all over the table. Roma jumped off instantly to avoid getting wet as the water quickly approached her.

Sighing, Lisbeth offered her brother her own glass. "That's what you get for talking with your mouth full like a little kid. Here, drink, finishing chewing, and start over."

Taking a long gulp, Mark set the empty cup back down on the table. "Ah, that was good. Glad I have such a caring sister to keep me out of trouble." Shaking her head at her brother, Lisbeth started to soak up the water with a towel she took from a nearby waiter. Reaching for his spoon a second time, Mark's hand was stopped.

"Didn't you just learn better?" griped Lisbeth with an angry tick mark on her brow.

Laughing nervously, Mark pulled his hand back and continued, "Anyways, there was this other player who already gathered the necessary medical ingredient two days ago, but it seems that the sick woodsman needs a second dose to fully recover. That's where we come in. There's a quest monster called a Flowering Little Nepent in the woods somewhere that will drop a Little Nepent Ovule. That's the ingredient we need to collect. Sounds simple enough, what do you all say?"

"I'm in," answered Lisbeth. "We can't just let a family with a sick member keep suffering."

"Do we know where exactly we're going in the woods?" questioned Zuko as he started in on his own meal. "Or are we just going to wander around aimlessly and hope to get lucky? Not to mention, how many of these Nepents are going to be gathered together? How tough are these creatures? Do they have a weakness? And as for the medical ingredient we're gathering, what does it look like? How many do we need to gather? Is it going to spoil quickly? There's a lot of unanswered questions here. Information is key."

Crossing his arms sagely, Mark nodded in agreement. Then he actually spoke. "No idea." He laughed heartily as Zuko nearly dropped his spoon as he lifted the eating utensil full of beef stew. "But no worries, everything will work out."

"It's that kind of flippant attitude that gets people in trouble," argued the fire prince as he recovered. "It's unfortunate, but I say we either find out more information or find a different one of these quests. If the sick woodsman got some of this medicine earlier, then he's probably out of the worst of it. He'll probably recover eventually on his own."

"But you don't know that for sure," countered Lisbeth. "And whatever is out there in those woods, we can handle it." She patted her copper mace resolutely. "You're not scared are you?"

"Tsk, fine," grumbled Zuko. "Don't blame me if we get in over our heads."

"Great! It's settled then," cheered Mark as he reached for his beef stew again. "We'll head out in the morning!"