I own nothing but me.

Chapter 5

Me: "Whew. That was bracing."

We are back in the pub in Targ Woods relaxing after being bashed, stabbed and slightly burnt while trying to practice fighting the various kinds of foes we will face. Heavy hitters, archers, mages and quick fighters. I suck against archers, lack of hand eye coordination makes blocking arrows hard. And don't even get me started on magic. So unfair for those on the receiving ends.

Cid: "You can take a hit boy, but your hitting and blocking needs work."

Me: "I knew that before I got here. And I never even needed to try out blocking and hitting."

Luso: "And taking a punch?"

Me: "Occasional clumsiness in really bad situations. Tripping while going down a steep hill while hiking, crashing my scooter by getting the wheel stuck in a crack while going down a hill at full speed. Being able to completely ignore the bodily harm thrown at me from those were a point of pride."

Luso: "A scooter? Seriously Alan?"

Me: "Yeah Yeah I know. Most people crash bikes but I get little push scooters. Still left a gash across my forehead from one side to the other."

I stumble to my shaky and tired legs.

Me: "Must find sustenance to replace energy. Can I have some gil for dinner Cid?"

Cid: "Already ordered a meal for us all so sit back down."

I plop back down with a sigh.

Me: "So what are we doing tomorrow Cid?"

Cid gets a grin. Cid: "Your first job in the clan. Tomorrow I will teach you two how to get jobs from the Barkeep so the clan can do the job and get paid enough to live off."

Luso: "Really? What kind of job and why the Pub?"

Cid: "Well you see the Pub is the best place to talk and where there's talk theirs people and people need things. They leave a note with the Barkeep and we pay the Barkeep for that information. Then we go do the job and come back in order to get our payment. Some times the clan giver comes with us or fights with us. Other times we get the note from people that saw others in trouble and wish for someone to go help. Either way they pay us and we use that money for our life, food, board and new or better gear to use on the battle field so the next monster doesn't leave a gash up our stomach or in our back."

Luso: "Yeah that would suck."

Me: "Agreed. And... Ooh dinners here!"
The Barkeep brings a large plate of some kind of meat with vegetables on the side and we chow down. After that the clan heads off to our respective bed's for the night.

The Next morning...

I grab my gear and get up as fast as I can. My first quest! Oh goody. Then I slow down.. Great another chance to be mauled by... If I remember correctly today will be wolves the size of golf carts and a goblin or two... Oh well may as well try not to die. Get my contained murderous wrath out. Like I do in video games but more realistic. And not one sided.

Either way I go down stairs to enjoy my breakfast of oatmeal in anticipation of the new fight looming.

After breakfast me, Luso and Cid go up to the Barkeeps counter.

Cid: "So Barkeep do you have any jobs for us?"

The Barkeep brings a note out from behind his desk. Cid lets Luso take a look.

Luso: "Hmm this rancher wants us to clear out some wolves so his "Chocobos" can sleep easily at night. What are Chocobos Cid?"

Cid: "Hmmm I guess the best description for you is nicer and not as plump versions of the cockatices you fought upon your arrival."

Luso: "Really? Cool!"

Cid: "Right. Now you guys go meet the clan outside while I pay the Barkeep for the information."

Me and Luso rush outside. My first real taste of combat. This should be quite the challenge.