Hi again, Blank here. I had a little trouble with my laptop killing my hard drive, so I'm a little skeptical about my next few chapters. They're all saved onto my Ipod touch, as that's where I originally typed most of this story so far, and before my laptop had died, I had another chapter saved. but lets put that behind us, shall we? you're here (again) to read.
Chapter 2
As my feet dig into the concrete wall, legs curled for the spring, I imagine my soon to be path. A flip over a fence, hands coming into contact with the metal roof. A handspring and I'll be upright. I jump off the wall into a high arch, bending back to avoid a fence. A quick jerk of my feet puts me upside down as my hands grab onto the roof of the warehouse. I push off my hands, sailing through the air again briefly before the soles of my shoes are digging into the thin metal, keeping me from sliding off the roof.
My next path flashes into my mind, a back drop and a flip will put me in front of a small window of the storage building I'm standing on. A knife is clutched tightly in my hand and I easily cut the glass to dust before diving in. My dagger materializes in my right hand, and I let myself drop back off the edge of the building. I flipped backward and land on the fire escape, staring into the dust covered window. In less then a second I'm already inside the crate filled warehouse, meaning my training for the day is done. I open the command window and check my time. "My last run is five minutes seventeen seconds. Too slow again" I mutter as I exit the panel and transport myself back into Esper city's user district.
Much of Esper city was divided up into at least a dozen districts. Most user run areas were designed like modern cities, all concrete and steel, and skyscrapers shading most things. Some areas are sectioned off, to use in tournament matches, such as Neden-1, the map I was just training in. The mod and gm areas are the only truly odd sites here, looking like blank spaces barred off from normal users. Of course we normal players don't know what those places really look like.
To say that Esper city was full was like saying a whale is a big animal. However that was only because of the bazaar, which gives players not only a chance to get hard to find equipment but also a place to discuss the latest news. It was only a few months ago that this place was empty, no bazaar and only a few players ever roaming the city. The addition of the user run shops was a deal to provide rookies more than one way to obtain any equipment they needed without gambling away their hard earned money.
While this was a good endeavor, it only helped scam artist by legally selling away junk to beginners for extravagant amounts of ingame money. On the other hand, it makes my life, and the lives of every other member of Kamichi easier. See, we merry band of thieves like to... Redistribute the wealth of these lowballers and spread it around. Our only detractors are the pros who make a killing selling used goods, and the GMs who are losing money. Ah yes, money makes the world go 'round. Kamichi is, by the richer players, "nothing but a group of bandits." It's refreshing to see we're well known.
I run briefly to our meeting area within the connest forest, hidden in a hacked trunk of a tree. Only DaCiel is there, sitting with her back against the wall and her hands behind her head. She wore a white tank top that hugged her subtle curves and some extra baggy pants that hid her long slim legs. "I thought you said we would practice together today" I asked my cohort indigently.
"Sorry puppy, Thebes had me help the newbies again" was her monotone reply. I swear she was just trying to get me to fight her, with that stupid nickname she kept using.
"At least tell me when you're gonna cancel your plans. I had to pay extra to open a practice room today, what with the winter s1 tournament coming up." I really hated these times of the year. All the pros have started buying out all the rooms, leaving only too purchase all the best equipment to hoard. The three weeks during the tournament and the week after were no better either, with players crowding every monitor within the city to watch. During the week after the tourney, parties would be held, groups of unsatisfied players would cause fights all over the place, and most bazaar stalls would be empty. "Fine then, Nogi. By the way, our turn to gather provisions is next, so I hope you can keep up" Ciel got up and walked passed me, looking back to only barely acknowledge me before vanishing, having apparently logged out. I let out a breath I didn't know I withheld and let myself flop backwards, sprawling out on the floor and staring at the ceiling. Why did she bother me so much? I ask myself all the time. DaCiel has became part of Kamichi the same time I had, so we had always hung out and went gathering together. It was only recently that she started to act so... I don't know... If I find a word I'll tell you. She used to be a lot nicer though, and we looked out for each other, like family or something like that. I mean I still li- I mean watch out for her, but I don't know if the sentiment...favor is returned. I would continue this string if not for my clan head standing over me, giving a questioning stare. "I'm sorry sir, I've had a lot on my mind" I say as I sit up, answering his unspoken question. I pat the nonexistent dust off my vest and slacks and head for the exist when Thebes speak up. "Nogitsune, tomorrow is yours and DaCiel's day. Play nice and be discreet." He must be joking I think, quickly logging out so I don't have to hear any more.