Episode 97 — Morning Meeting
Episode 97 — Morning Meeting
Sixteenth Day in the Month of Bush Clover (June 16) in the Year of the Griffon
Floor 35 — Front Line Floor 62
As soon as Malus, the last to arrive for breakfast, sat down, Kiefer asked the question he had been waiting to ask. "Is Meigibu going to merge with us?"
Natora and Malus instinctively looked at Bladescape. Bladescape sighed. "It was discussed, but it is a highly fluid situation. Last night was a discussion between guild leaders. These types of talks happen all the time. Both sides knew that we needed to talk with our guilds first. We will have a meeting again in a few days with everyone present. I was hoping to do this in the guild hall, but maybe the dining room is the better place so we can relax and eat. Together we will decide if this is a good idea to proceed with."
Bladescape held her hand up, stopping several questions. "Before we continue, I need to say something. A merger will mean a lot of changes. We have been playing with the idea of a new, more up to date headquarters, but this will force us to get a new one, and a large one. Yet that isn't even what I wanted to say. By merging our two guilds, it may mean that we are no longer the Wondercolts, or that-"
"No no no," Diemond said in rapid succession. "No no no, no no no, no no no no no! We can't! That! No! No no no!"
"Breathe," Bladescape said. "Talk us through it, slowly. We probably won't become members of Meigibu either if that is what you are afraid of."
"I am not that shallow," Diemond retorted, snubbing her nose at the idea. "I don't think you understand the consequences of not being Wondercolts. I have worked very hard to craft our image. It isn't out of vanity that I am speaking. The only three of you who don't have horses on your armor are Blade, Reisenki and Doom. Bladescape and Reisenki have our symbol on their cloaks. All of you have at least two Wondercolts symbols on your equipment. Many of our helmets look like horse heads! It has taken me days to make it all and craft our second image. We can't just simply change it! Especially yours, Bladescape. Ashley won't redo what she did."
"Can't we keep the symbol but change colors?" Thunderborne asked. "Like, just redye the colors."
"You can't just change the color of organic materials like paint Rainbow Dash," Diemond shot back, getting personal. "You don't understand fashion in either reality! Once it's made into the final product, I can't change it. That goes for both the real world and Aincrad! Use your head for something other than killing brain cells by hitting that soccer ball."
"Cool it," Bladescape ordered. "Diemond, that is a very valid concern and it is noted."
"Nothing is set in stone," Natora reminded them. "Those things will be carefully taken into consideration. But Diemond, in the time you have, can you make a few options for armor that fit the Wondercolts standards and would also be appealing to the members of Meigibu?"
"I have already been playing with a few Eastern Armor designs," Diemond noted. "That enterprise isn't new. Fuurinkazan was the main source of that inspiration. It should not be hard for me to have options made up."
"Not to be mean or rude," Reisenki said. "But what can they do for us? What do we get out of it?"
"Security," Natora said. "Yesterday was tough and we are on the top of the Clearers in both raw levels and personal skill. We wouldn't have done any better with just our two parties. Maybe we would have had shorter engagements, but we didn't have the numbers to map the entire fifth floor. Things are getting tougher, and it’s the small guilds who will suffer the most.
"There's strength in numbers and that's true here. We're not looking to put everyone onto the front every day, just four parties. That means we can rotate in and out, and get the breaks we need while still being at the top.
"Yes, it also means we will mix up who we fight besides on a daily basis, but, well look at it this way. When we join up with Fuurinkazan, we don't stay in our guilds. We build new parties and balance things out so that we have three amazing, stronger parties. And it's fun. We get along great with Meigibu, better than we do with Fuurinkazan. Fuurinkazan just comes around more because of Klein dogging on Bladescape. And for Konpeito's confections.
"But on point, rotations mean that Malus can go fishing more. Diemond, you struggle to get the materials you need. Your days off are spent running around, frazzled, as you pick up supply orders and make other orders. Now you will have more time for your creative love. Bladescape can ride her horse more too. We all need more time off but can't afford it with our small size, yet this fixes both.”
Bladescape spoke up. "Konpeito, I know you love to cook and it isn't exactly a burden, but they have several cooks who would help lighten your load. You also would have more players to cook for and enjoy your food."
"Reisenki is great help, but I could use more," Konpeito agreed. "I love cooking for you guys, but it does get tiring. Sometimes it's a lot of pressure for the quick turnarounds we do."
Malus leaned forward onto the table. "Sugarcube, anytime you don't wanna cook, all yah gotta do is let us know. We can easily get food elsewhere. We don't ever wanna take advantage of your love, even if it's an accident."
"Thanks," Konpeito smiled.
"We will need to level them up toward us," Natora explained. "We will need quotas, real quotas, and once they are there, we can solidify party tactics and they, we, will become a great fighting force. It will take a lot of work for everyone, but it will be worth it. Just think on it for the day as we hit the labyrinth."
"I'm okay with them joining us," Diemond stated. "I like many of their members. They are wonderful ladies. But! I draw the line at not being blue and yellow Wondercolts."
"Noted," Bladescape said with a nod. "Now, gear up and let's get the day's work started."
"I always thought we would absorb Fuurinkazan," Soryuto said as they stood up. "They would be living here just for Konpeito's food if they thought they could get away with it."
Everyone laughed. Soryuto was right about Fuurinkazan wanting to live with them. It had never been expressed, or hinted at, but it was something they all knew was true.
"That could have gone worse," Malus said to Bladescape as they gathered in the atrium. They were the only two armed and ready for the day.
"I don't know what I was expecting," Bladescape admitted. "We barely got the idea together last night. Are we imposing our will on them?"
"Yes, we are," Malus nodded. "But it ain't in a bad way. As the councilors, it's our job to lead them, and if we think we need to merge, we merge. Listen to em, get their feedback like Diemond's points, but ultimately it's up to us. Just like it's up to the rider to direct the horse."
“I never thought about our symbol,” Bladescape said, looking at the one on her pouch belt. “That is a major problem. Same with the colors."
“It may be, but it may not be,” Malus stated with a shrug. “We have no idea what they will want when we meet up again.”
The rest of the guild wasn't much longer. Then it was time for another day in a very tough labyrinth.
BLADESCAPE: Level 85 — Two-Handed Sword — Searching — Weapon Defense — Leather Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Sprint — Blade Throwing — Extended Weight Carry — Acrobatics — Greatsword
NATORA: Level 80 — Two-Handed Spear — Purchase Negotiations — Sales Negotiation — Weapon Defense — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Acrobatics — Armor Pierce — Sprint — Extended Weight Carry
MALUS: Level 80 — One-Handed War Hammer — Greatsword — Heavy Metal Armor — First Aid — Extended Weight Carry — Battle Regeneration — Fishing — Search — Martial Arts — Rend — Sprint
THUNDERBORNE: Level 80 — Rapier — Sprint — Acrobatics — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Armor Pierce — Martial Arts — Blade Throwing — Search
KONPEITO: Level 80 — Two-Handed Axe — Cooking — Weapon Defense — Light Metal Armor — Martial Arts — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Music — Blade Throwing — Bard — Extended Weight Carry — Rend
DIEMOND: Level 80 — Mace — Greatsword — Sewing — Heavy Metal Armor — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Light Metal Armor Forging — Heavy Metal Armor Forging — Extended Weight Carry — Jewelry Creation — Rend
DOOMBUNNY: Level 81 — One-Handed Dagger — Hide — Fighting Spirit — Blade Throwing — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Familiar Cooperation — Mixing — Listen — Reveal — Main-gauche — Search
KIEFER: Level 79 — One-Handed Curved Sword — Slash Weapon Forging — Light Metal Armor — Weapon Defense — First Aid — Katana — Battle Regeneration — Slash Weapon Forging — Blade Throwing — Armor Pierce
SORYUTO: Level 77 — One-Handed Sword — Shield — Light Metal Armor — Music — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Fighting Spirit — Armor Pierce — Acrobatics — Extended Weight Carry
REISENKI: Level 79 — One-Handed Axe — Greatsword — Heavy Metal Armor — Equipment Repair — Metal Equipment Repair — First Aid — Battle Regeneration — Cooking — Metal Refining — One-Hand Weapon Creation
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Just a short, stubby chapter tonight, hmm? Also, the divider banner at the end is missing. It's just
[img][/img].12074270
Sometimes they are shorter. Sometimes they get really long. Lol. I think I cut the image link out when copying to AO3 instead of copying. lol Fixed! Thanks!
XD wow short lil dabble, but still enjoyable! Also yeah I could see the Fuurinkazan trying to move in if the Wondercolts gotta bigger place! I seriously wonder what would happen with three guilds all under one roof and banner? I really is an interesting thought lol.
Also this was something that popped into my head as I was typing the above ^ But. What if after SAO ended one of the people Sugou managed to grab was one of the wondercolts?
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The three guilds under one roof is a very interesting question. Do you think the boys are not going to try and make every excuse to be there already? Especially with bigger kitchen? Theoretically, that means they can feed more people. They might need some more hands in the kitchen to cover that. I have some fun planned for them getting together at the new place. And a very fun place to do it at. A lot of work to design something worthy for the girls and company.
As to the other, if Sugou and/or his crew were to be able to launch that project and catch one or more, that would mean they don't wake up and the others do. It will really depend on who doesn't wake up.
A short chapter to close out the year. See you in 2025!
Why do I get the feeling it will be a partial absorption?
Also I have to agree with Diemond, they have a 'brand' to uphold, and people associate them with certain things.
Can Megibu say the same?
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I could see Klien and friends just "happening" to be in the neighorhood and pop into the WC's home fow various meals lol. But like ya said it does mean more hands to help out! Now here's a funny thought that could make for a funny filler chapter. Kirito winds up sharing a meal at the wondercolts while Klien happens to be there and the pair get to talking about who is the better cook between KONPITO and Asuna. This leads to a cooking contest between the two (and whoever else might wanna throw their hat into the proverbial ring!)
Even so, it comes at a price.
lol.
Malus, Diemond, and Reisenki have Greatsword as a skill instead of Heavy Shield, it first changed in episode 95.
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Meigibu cannot say the same for the brand. They are well known, but they are not a brand.
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I have some fun... competitions planned. Konpeito v Asuna is not one. Konpeito hasn't even fully come into herself as an Aincrad cook and baker. Do you really think Asuna can take on the Sugar Viking?
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Thanks. Apparently I copied over the the wrong "Great" skill.
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Which is Diemonds point simplified.
Nothing says their impeccable dressing can't stick around, just that it needs to change colors.
Plus the Wondercolts have initiative, so they're in a position to keep the name and brand.
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She couldn't handle Loki
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Eitehr way the end result would be Kirito, the Wondercolts (merged with Megibu) and Klins bunch getting to eat a lotta good food and everyone having a good time :)
Take on and win if it was souly deserts? Maybe not. But if it was cooking in making a full on meal. I feel like the results would be pretty close.
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The dress style will seep in, at the very least. lol. Meigibu definitely brings a refinement to the Wondercolts they don't otherwise have. Diemond does her best, but between Malus, Thunder, and Konpeito, there is only so much she can do with eleven. lol
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That entirely depends on what Loki? Literally, which version from the sagas? The trickster? Absolutely. The evil god, less so. Remember, she has faced Lopter, AKA Loki, in Aincrad and won.
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I can guarantee you that there will be plenty of good food to come. I make myself hungry as I write sometimes. lol. Yes, Asuna does not stand a chance in a baking contest. Five course meal, Konpeito wins. Asuna is good, but she is much more traditional in her thinking. Konpeito is willing to experiment. She breaks cookware. Asuna is not doing that. You only break it if you're pushing the cooking system's limits. How she didn't burn down their HQ learning to make simmer all day stews is a miracle.
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haha fair enough! Good food depicted anywhere can make one hungry! *motions to restaraunt to another world*
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Konpeito yes, Asuna, noooo
Plus , The Pink gets natural advantage due to being The Pink.
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As I said in another comment, I'm sure you read it, Konpeito had not come into her full self as a cook in Aincrad yet. Her in th kitchen is well established from both MLP and EQG. Her being Pink is another matter entirely. Certainly it will be a factor, but only one. She hasn't cracked the system quite yet. Not that she realize that.
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I can already imagine the maniacal laughter tho
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Her laughter is quite unique.
Finally caught up with the story! Took a break from it and decided to binge the last chapters all at once!
I am excited to see how the Merger will go in this version, because while I adored this arc in the OG, we had very little time as the bigger Wondercolts before the story finished, so I’m excited to have the Big Guild Wondercolts be a major plot point from here on out, and I would love to see a more detailed chapter of the reactions of the players about the Wondercolts’ expansion. It would be awesome.
Something that I would love is an intermission that focuses on a secondary or a background character showing what the non-combatant players think of the Assault Team and the Wondercolts. It would be a fun detour and a nice worldbuilding chapter.
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I'm glad you have enjoyed it. There will be a lot of chapters coming that you will enjoy. About an intermission, how would you suggest I get that viewpoint? I have no characters to work with to get that. It is also such a wide category, some four thousand players, if not five thousand.
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Maybe Agil or Argo, or an OC that became trapped and it's just their opinions of the assault team and of the general population.
I just think it would be interesting to see a different side and perspective about the Wondercolts.
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I think I have some it popping up at times. I was reviewing some soon to be released chapters and finding much more, down to earth, regular player interactions I forgot I wrote.