The Joys of Sake
Disclaimer: While I wish I did indeed own all of the .hack conglomeration, I must say that I don't. This plot and idea are mine, though… Mwahaha…
Chapter 2: An introduction to Sake
A wavemaster appeared in Mac Anu, by the spinning chaos gate. He gazed absently at the golden hoop and its blue portal for a moment, before turning and stumbling down the stone streets. At first the wavemaster didn't bother to look where he was going. After a while, however, Tsukasa realized that he had strayed into a darker area where the buildings were crammed closer together. Not only was the brickwork in ill repair, but there were several broken windows and the door to one rather shady looking place that was, by its sign, supposed to be a tavern, was hanging open by a single rusty hinge.
Tsukasa halted outside of it, attracted by a vague curiosity. In real life, before she had become trapped in the World, he had nearly wandered into a bar, only to be stopped by a guy at the door. He had said that he was only a child and therefore not allowed. The wavemaster considered things as they stood now, for a moment. No one could really tell someone's age in this game, so no one would stop Tsukasa and ask to see an I.D., right? A grim smile crept across his face. He had never tried alcohol, had never been allowed. There was a first time for everything, though. It never occurred to the wavemaster that, though he could smell and feel within the World, he might not be able to taste, but why should such a thought occur to him? The World was his world.
Tsukasa shifted his grip upon his staff then stepped towards the single hinged door. A slight breeze picked up, swirling down the narrow alley. It caught the door and made the hinge creak. The sound made the wavemaster wince. However, undaunted, Tsukasa stepped into the tavern and was greeted by a large square room filled with a smoky haze that made him gag. He coughed once, twice and three times before recovering. Squinting into the gloom, the wavemaster saw several other players staring back at him. Each had a cup, mug or a glass of some sort in front of them and they stared grimly at Tsukasa as he slowly walked passed the many round tables to the bar proper.
"What'll ye be havin'?" questioned the barman, a stout NPC designed specifically to look on the shady end of things.
"Uh…" said Tsukasa, his gaze passing swiftly over the rows of bottles.
"This your first time here?" called a tall cloaked blademaster seated at the far end of the bar.
Tsukasa nodded and the man continued, "I'd recommend the Sake, then. While in real life, if you drink too much, you get pretty drunk, in the game it just affects your character's stats for a bit and the Sake isn't that bad as far as status decrease goes. Also, it's cheap."
"Thank you," replied Tsukasa, turning back to the barkeeper.
"Hey!" said the other man suddenly. "I recognize you! You're the wavemaster that the Crimson Knights are after, aren't you?"
Tsukasa paled slightly. "Uh…" he began.
"Ah, don't worry. The damn Crimson Knights are a bunch of assholes anyway. Why're they after you anyway? Wait, don't tell me now," he said. "I'll buy you your drink and you can tell me while you drink it."
"Thank you!" exclaimed Tsukasa, surprised in spite of himself.
The wavemaster walked over and sat down upon the bar stool next to the man, leaning his staff against the counter next to him. The blademaster ordered a bottle of Sake and an almond dachery. It was his favorite drink, he explained, and if he couldn't have them too much in the real world, then he'd be damned if he didn't have one here.
"My name's Dennis, by the way," he said once the barman had given them their drinks. "Who're you?"
"Tsukasa," replied the wavemaster as he hesitantly lifted the small cup to his lips.
Tsukasa took a small sip and mulled over the flavor. It wasn't what he'd call good, but it wasn't bad either. He swallowed it and felt a pleasant warmth course down his throat. With a half smile, he took another, longer swallow. It was the same taste, but stronger and the warmth going down his throat was hotter, burning, almost.
"You roleplay the expressions so well!" exclaimed Dennis. "If I didn't know this was a game, I'd swear you really were drinking Sake for the first time."
"I don't feel any different," said Tsukasa after a moment.
Dennis found the comment slightly odd, but decided that it could be atributed to one who really enjoyed playing the part. "Of course not. It takes more than a swallow of Sake. If it were scotch or rum, you might be having slight status effects, but not with wine. Oh damn it! I forgot the time! I have a doctor's appointment in an hour. Oh well. Farewell Tsukasa. Happy drinking!"
Abruptly, even as the wavemaster waved, Dennis vanished with the three golden rings. Their glow lightened the area around where he had stood, but only for a brief second. Tsukasa sighed and turned back to his drink, leaning upon one elbow. He took another sip. It was always like that. Just when he thought he might have possibly found someone he would willingly call a friend or at least a companion, they disappeared or Tsukasa found out that they were yet another of those annoying busybodies. Thinking of such people brought the wavemaster's thoughts in a loop, with many little spirals along the way, back to him hating life. He could always drink it away…
Author stuff: mwahahahaha.... That's all I have to say as of now...