Richard closes his journal as the last of the embers of the dying flame wink out before casting the world in lunar controlled darkness. Blake is sound asleep nearby after having had his fill of food and his energy drained by training. The woods around them are filled with the noise of crickets, toads, and soft snaps of paws against discarded branches and twigs. Nothing hostile can be seen or felt. Yet Richard is on edge.
He's been like this ever since their first dungeon and it's only gotten worse since they've left the town several days ago. Sure they received a big reward as well as honorary titles, but that unnerving feeling in Richard's head of coming so close to death has yet to fully leave him. He's been waking up the last couple of days in cold sweats thinking he'll only wake up still down in the tunnels with more of those beasts around them. Perhaps he's grown a fear now?
He sighs and brings his knees up to this chest in his seated position after placing the journal and pen down beside him. Perhaps he's overcomplicating his life? Blake seems to have it all down despite not being... the sanest of allies. He has his head on straight and knows what he wants from life. He's had his hardships and trials that eventually ended with...
Richard shakes his head. Blake needs him to be strong. He needs to be strong for himself. They just need to head south where it was reported of more Deerkin going missing as well as one of the elites Elks. The information hasn't been made to the public in hopes that the missing group is still alive despite the lack of contact. Some of the civilians are starting to get suspicions, mainly loved ones and friends, but they have assured that Richard and Blake would be on the case and bring back some sort of information on the group. So far they've seen no signs of another group.
Richard lays on his side staring off into the dark woods unsure if he'll be able to will himself to sleep tonight. He's sure in time sleep will take him, but his mind is still too active for now. Too much has happened within the last few days and too much information has been gained. His stats are getting better and better and the skills he wants to learn are starting to get smaller. He's learned how to locate meat, herbs, fruits, and vegetables due to one of his new skills. It has made hunting for food a bit easier, even if he isn't the one doing the hunting.
Growing closer to sleep, he believes his eyes are playing tricks on him as he gets a notification from the chatroom. Strange because he didn't think any of the others were close by, but thinking about it more he realizes it could be someone new. He sits up and opens the chat finding the words Hello? written into it.
Hello there! I'm Richard and it seems you might be close by. Can you tell me where and who you are?
I don't really know... I've been here for quite a while actually. There were some close encounters with these black looking creatures, but thankfully I've been able to hide out here and there."
Do you have any landmarks you can give me?
Uhhhh it smells really good over here. Like honey mixed with freshly cut apples. I think there's some sort of nest???? Here. I haven't seen it, but if you see something like that that's giving off that smell or get near an area that smells like that, I'll be around there. Oh, yea! I've also been gardening a bit to help with the lack of food here so if you see a portion of the forest gardened out you'll find me! :D
Okay okay. We'll be sure to keep a lookout. My friend, who is currently asleep, is called Blake and he'll be able to fight off those black creatures if they're still around.
Thank you so muuuuuch!!!! <3 <3 <3!!!
So for now, keep vigilant. We're going to get some sleep and start looking for you in the morning.
Okay will do! Be safe out there!
With that, the chat falls silent. Richard begins to form a plan in his mind to distract himself from his other thoughts. They have the potential of meeting someone else out there who could possibly help them with fighting and advancing through the world safer. Hopefully, they're just as much of a fighter as Blake so their offensive power goes up more. But given that they didn't attack the black creatures... well its too early to assume. Or would it be too late?
Richard shakes his head and lays down on his back to look up into the sky. He opens his menu and pulls up his stats and abilities to stare and ponder. Enchant With Fire has come in handy with increasing attack abilities, but he can't attack himself other than through ways that include his abilities. Blake has been teaching him some grapple techniques, but they're not very effective thus far. He's kept some of the shrooms on him just in case they are needed, but he would need someone to grow more of these for him on the fly since he's not able to. Sure he can help things grow, but he can't grow them without mulch, earth, and tlc. Plus it would still take quite a time for them to be harvestable along with the use of mana.
Richard sighs and closes his eyes. He has to calm down and figure out things as they come. It's already too much as it is. Eventually, sleep claims him.
"No," Richard says pushing branches out of his way as Blake hops over a log just ahead.
"But why not! Think about it! It would be great! Plus we still need a name and every other one just seems to fall flat! Now would be a perfect time to start thinking about it! Especially since there are more people out there that don't know what's going on!"
"I understand the need to easily tell everyone who we are, what we are, and what we do, but we need to think more about this and actually have a team."
Blake stops and turns around raising his arms and voice, "But we are a team!"
"Correction. We are a pair. Not a team. A team consists of more than just two guys chilling in the woods."
"I mean we're killing in the woods too..."
"Besides the point." Richard waves off the comment, "We don't necessarily need a team name. And if, IF, we get a team name it needs to be practical and pertain to us."
"But it does pertain to us!"
"Oh, yea? How so?" Richard asks crossing his arms and standing in front of Blake.
"Well... We... Uh... What does pertain mean again?" A barely visible blush proceeds to mark the deer's face in embarrassment.
The chef sighs, "Basically how does the team name relate to us."
"Oh! That's easy! I'm Wolf and you're Lamb! Wolf and Lamb! It's the perfect name!"
"In what way?"
"Well I'm a hunter and fighter and can take anything down with my pack or solo, and then you're an amazing cook that still has a bit of a bite!"
"The wolf part sure, but the Lamb? Unless lambs are different from where you're from I really don't..."
"Well of course they are! All the prey animals are pretty good at farming, cooking, and domestic stuff while predators are good for fighting, hunting, and keeping the peace."
"You know how to cook?"
Blake punches Richard in the arm before going forward again, "Don't be a butt..."
"I can't help it. It's in my natural genes. But I see now where you're coming from, but we are not going for that. Its gotta be something we both agree on and, again, with more people."
"Fine fine! I'll come up with something even better to blow you out the water!"
"Yea you do that..."