Later that evening the four of them decided to have dinner in one of Al De Baran's most exclusive restaurant. One of the reasons Nida enjoy Zack's company is because he never has to spent a single zenny. Zack is always considerate and the most generous person you could have met. He is never short on money and he is always happy to spend it with friends. The good thing about him he earns his own money rather than asking allowance from his parents unlike some spoiled rich people. Zack never believe in using his parent's money only if it's for emergencies, he would feel guilty spending them since they worked so hard for it. It's not because they were poor, he was born one of the most prestigious family in Alberta. Yet his father the great Ben Taylor, taught his sons the value of even a single zenny. He was a good father who raised and disciplined his boys well.
It was a beautiful evening for the four of them. The three of them Nida, Gabrielle and Gregory just had the meal of their life. They never tasted anything so delicious and all of them thank Zack for his generosity. Zack as usual was happy to see his friends having a good time and they even promised themselves not to get carried away with their appetites. Besides Nida, Zack also knew places all around Rune Midgard. He himself picked the restaurant they were eating. It was great, it had good food and also great entertainment. The music played by the Bard was absolutely wonderful that even anyone would want an encore. That night the bard played "Poem of Bragi" a well-written poem-song by the infamous Corinthius Baltimore. Music lovers would consider it to be a sad tale in musical history when Corinthius passed away five years ago due to a bad case of cholera. Musicians and music lovers would cherish his unforgettable song, where it remained beautiful even until now.
"So how's Syne doing?" asked Nida
"He's doing fine. He's working now with my dad refining weapons and stuff like that," said Zack as he took another bite at his peco peco leg.
"How about Tyler?" Nida added.
"Ha ha, that kid? He's probably becoming the first Alchemist in our family. I mean I thought our family were just nothing special. But damn, we finally have a genius with us!" said Zack proudly.
Then there was silence for a while and then Zack whispered to Nida.
"Hey Nid, Gabby is so friggin' hot this days. Why did you let this guy cut in?"
"Me? Nah, I'm just her friend," Nida betrayed his true feelings, "So you got anyone lately?"
"Well I've been searching. But I couldn't find the right one yet," explained Zack, "I mean I want a girl with a hot body and a good attitude. As in she's nice, sweet, and all plus she must be hot!"
"You do know you're asking too much?"
"I sure am!" laughed Zack so hard that he almost choke.
Nida then look at Gregory who was throwing himself at Gabrielle. And she looked completely lost in their conversation. It looks like it was certain there was something going on between the two of them. Nida felt like throwing the plate at Gregory but he felt quite bad as he thought about Gabrielle. She would hate him for that and probably she'll be siding with Gregory. Nida then thought about telling her how she feels. In an exotic restaurant like that, it seems to be the perfect and romantic place for someone to say the three magic words. However it would also be the best place for a guy's heart to be broken. He could imagine how things would turn out the bad way. She would give him an odd look and then she would say no and then he could only imagine her words of comfort. "Let's just stay as friends," she would say. Friends? Nida thought. Would they return back to as just friends since he told her he loved her. Nida just gave a stern look and then planned to interrupt the two of them.
"So Greg, what's your mission?"
"Huh?" Gregory looked at Nida, "Oh, the old guy wanted me to go to the Orc Village to help out a certain Guild there. They said they were desperately in need of a Knight class, and so the old guy applied me."
"So when do you have to start?" Nida continued.
"Tomorrow, I guess. I guess I'll be staying here over night and move out there the next day,"
"Would you like us to help?" Gabrielle suddenly asked.
"Huh, erm, if you guy's don't mind. Yeah sure, I'd be delighted if you follow me," replied Gregory trying to put up a smile on his face.
"Nida! Let's help Gregory!" burst Gabrielle suddenly and looking eager for him to agree with the idea.
Nida gave an awkward look. He kept saying to himself, "Say No! Say No!" But instead he said, "Okay. Why not?" In his mind again, he cursed himself and complained why is he helping that guy again. He felt like smashing his head on the place and wanted to bleed to death.
"Hey can I come? I got nothing to do," asked Zack.
"Sure why not? Isn't that right Gregory?" Gabrielle asked.
Gregory looked at Zack and then he asked, "Are you sure? Could a Blacksmith like you handle massive hordes of Orcs?"
"Greg! Zack is one of the best fighters I ever seen. You shouldn't underestimate him," she said.
"Oh alright, sorry about that Zack. I just want the best for my mission, sorry," Gregory apologized.
"That's okay. I get it most of the time," Zack smiled.
"Yeah right," mumbled Nida.
Nida looked at Gregory. He knew he didn't want Zack in since Gabrielle seemed happy when the Blacksmith was around. Nida felt like he saw the green eyed monster behind Gregory. Gregory envied Zack; he was rich but also generous. Gregory then decided to stop concerning about Zack and continued his conversation with Gabrielle. Zack didn't seem to notice Gregory's attitude towards him. He was happily eating his well-paid food. Nida then wondered, is he really thinking too much about things?
The evening ended quickly. The three of them found a place to stay for the night, a luxurious hotel again on the account of Zack's money. Yet again he was happy to spend his money in such a good way.
The next morning, Nida got up early just to do some warm up with some Mantis and Petite dragons outside the city. He then wandered if he could jus run away from them but then he thought it would make matters only worse. He would forever be known as a coward. Nida could only sigh and look at the loot he picked up. "That's not gonna do enough for me," he said to himself. Then he picked it up and entered the city again. It was usually quite in the mornings, the city would only get livelier in the afternoon. Nida took his stuff and sold it at the nearest merchant shop and managed to get some pocket money to survive for the day. He then wondered what he could get at the Orc Village it's been so long since he's been there. The only thing he managed to steal once from an Orc was a huge brandish Orc Sword, which seemed to be belonging to the Orc Hero. Nida quickly became popular by his mates in Morroc for swiping such a great steal. Until today he kept the sword, he even kept an Orkish Voucher he looted from a party when he was a mere thief. Those things were one of his greatest treasures and he never wants to be apart from them.
"Well I guess I'll just have to wait for them to come find me," he said to himself.
Nida wanted to sit at the same spot he sat the other day but suddenly he saw a young female archer taking his spot. She was cute he thought she looked fifteen or fourteen. Nida thought and decided to move somewhere else not to bother her. Nida then chose a bench further from her. As he sat down he saw the girl looking at him. Was there something on his face he wondered? He didn't care. He pretended to look somewhere else but the girl still kept starring at him. Suddenly the unexpected the happened, the girl approached him.
"Hi!" she greeted.
"Err Hi, can I help you with something?" he replied.
"Well, since you're an Outlander too. Have you seen an Assassin, with bushy gray hair here lately? Just wondering only," she asked.
"Not really. I just got out from the merchant shop. I haven't seen anyone else here lately. Something the matter?"
"He promised me he'd take me to Comodo. But I guess he's late,"
"Oh I see," answered Nida. He then thought this girl might just want him to help her with her training. Nida was about to say no but then she asked him something else.
"So could I hang out with you until he comes by?"
"Er, aren't you afraid of Outlanders like me?"
"Well, Rogues and Stalkers like you. They usually give me perverted comments and tried to harass me. But you didn't yet" she grinned.
"Well I'm not in the mood to bother people. Especially cute archers like yourself," he snickered.
"Aww, flattery won't get you anywhere you know,"
"You can't say I tried can you?" he laughed. And she laughed along with him and then he asked, "So what's your name?"
"Ariel Silvermoon," she said, "Yours?"
"Nida Esquire,"
"Please to meet you Nida," she smiled.
