Chapter 14
Friends.
My sister once told me that I had trouble finding them, yet when I did, they would last forever. She would then tell me that quality beats quantity, and that she was jealous that I had lasting friendships, while she just had many friends.
I guess in this game it was the same. Although I had met many players in between my adventures, I had little friends. But this was in fact something I strived for: true friends.
Zero, Kato, Tak, Ray, Token, Sasha, Ange, Agil and even Wolf Pack, whose name was [Axel], were these people. Krakov had even become like my little brother.
With all of this, I was happy and satisfied; as I thought that few is more.
I mean! I even have my own Shack!
However, there was always a problem, and without exception; I had no money. This by itself was no concern, but it was a stumper when it came to fulfilling my responsibilities. The ALS, MMO Today, Sasha´s foundation, reparations on my new home and even donating some equipment to Agil for distribution towards mid-level players, they all came to standstill for a short time, as I was regaining Col once more. And on top of all this, I was also trying to gather friends.
I had been planning a "party" since we broke thru the twenty-second floor. The Col I had been saving up since I bought the Villa went to its repair, since it was quite deteriorated (that's the reason for its price), and hardly some occasional donations.
Now that the south and west wing of the "mini-palace" were completely new once more, I figured it was optimal to gather people I knew to inaugurate. And what better way than to add the celebration of the conquest of a quarter of Aincrad once we take the twenty-fifth floor.
"What do you think Krakov, a party here when we overcome the twenty-fifth boss?"
"Yeah! That would be cool! But who do we invite?"
"Do you know anyone?"
"No, do you?"
"Yeah, a few. And we could invite you know whoou!"
Instantly tuning red, he contradicted, but it was useless, because we both knew he liked a certain girl: Ange.
"Oh yeah! Well if she comes, then her friend will be sure to be here as well. You know who I'm talking about! =My lady! Oh yes, will thou accept this humble rose I picked from my garden!="
Bursting in laughter, the little kid mocked me. But I still couldn't hide my slight redness.
Why you little! And I didn't even sound like that!
"Yeah, and you even scream her name in your dreams! …Anya! …Anya!"
Ok that's enough! Wait what!?
"Wait, wait a minute! I scream her name? First of all, she hasn't even given me her name and second, why are you snooping around when I sleep?"
"It's a house, not an INN. You can hear between rooms… You're always screaming that name, like some kind of nightmare. And by the way, who is Anya?"
"It's certainly none of your business! And by the way…"
"Wait, is she your girlfriend in the real world!? Isn't that like cheating?!"
Suppressing my irritation from the conversation, I got up from the table and got ready to fulfill my duties.
"Look, it's not your concern! Now please eat up, and when you're done, I need you to head towards the first floor at one; I got you a job (sort of). You'll be helping out Ange´s group. They'll meet you at the teleport gate, so don't be late"
Lucky little kid! He has food and a bed AND I help him get a job with the girl he likes! Talk about luck!... Yet, he's been good, so he deserves it, after all I was like him when I was his age!
"I'll pass and pick you up at seven-thirty. Gotta go then, we'll be hitting the dungeon of the twenty fifth floor today, so we should prepare now for the party"
"OK!"
"Alright, take care. Remember, anything happens, alert me immediately. You better help out a lot of people out there!"
"I will"
Poor guy, he wakes up so early just to eat with me... I have to remember to be nicer.
"Oh, I forgot! My fireteam will be moving in this week, I told you didn't I? You should know them by now. Just to let you know. Alright, see ya!"
"Yeah, they're pretty fun! Ok, bye!"
Alright, let's get to work!
"Damn! It's almost seven! I'll be late AGAIN if I don't hurry!"