Ch 21 Stepping into the dungeon
After my nap I felt better, even with my bare mattress. I knew it was clean at least. Putting my pillow back into my inventory I pulled out a meal. It was chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. Tasty. Afte chowing down I put the used silverware back into my inventory. Standing and stretching, I have on my dungeon clothes still. I pull my pristine wand and point at them. Boots too. Going to the bathroom. I smile at the mirror. Pointing the wand at my teeth I say “riposte” and nearly throw up. Gaging on dust and grime I bent over the sink coughing it out. I didn't realize it was that bad. I brushed my teeth often, but I didn't floss much, or use mouthwash. Rinsing my mouth repeatedly until the taste of ash was gone, I looked at my new smile. Rubbing my tongue across my teeth they were squeaky. And slick. I think I might have taken the enamel off, oops. My tongue feels more abrasive then usual too. Weird. Feeling out my mouth with my tongue I notice spots that were rough have been smoothed over. I guess there was something wrong there, but it's gone now. My bad. Guess brushing really doesn't get everything. I don't get the minty feeling of toothpaste though. Which I'm kind of glad for. There’re plenty of thing's menthol doesn’t need to be in. Drinks are one. Toothpaste another. I don't really care if it's cigarettes I don't smoke.
Pausing a moment. I pull my pants away from my stomach and point my wand at my boxers too. That feels better. Then my socks even. Wiggling my toes, I hadn't realized what I was putting up with. Locking my apartment from the inside, I check all the windows. It's almost 11pm. So, I slept about six hours. Which isn't too bad.
“Raven, do I have everything I need or could want to live in the dungeon for a time?” I ask to double check.
“Attention, user has unspent skill points.”
Oh, good catch. 30 skill points to spend, what should I choose? Oh, that reminds me. “Raven spend 200 credits on various desserts, and 300 credits on various snacks please.”
“Confirmed deposited in inventory.”
What else. Drinks! “Raven, I want unlimited bottles of coffee, soda, plain water and mocktails please. And Milk!”
“Confirmed, Cost 240 credits.”
“How many credits do I have left?”
“430 credits remaining.”
Hmm, what else could I want. “Are there any chairs in store I could inventory?”
“Negative.”
Worth a try. “Any super comfy pillows?”
“Confirmed. Cost 50 credits.”
“Yes! I want two of them.”
“Confirmed, deposited in inventory.”
“Are there any sewing supplies in the store?”
“Confirmed. Tailoring supplies available.”
Well, I feel dumb for a moment. Too late now. “Anything I don't have.?”
“Confirmed. Iron.”
An iron? What would I need that for when I have pristine? “Do I need an iron when I have pristine?” I ask Raven.
“Confirmed. Iron flattens clothes to be properly measured. Pristine cleans clothes and renews them.”
“Well, how much is an iron, does it run on mana?”
“Confirmed, mana iron cost 50 credits.”
“Plese buy it.”
“Confirmed deposited in inventory.”
So, 280 credits left. What else to buy. Stereo? Music would be nice to sleep with.
“Is there a stereo or music player that runs on mana in the store?”
“Confirmed. Comparable speakers cost 50 credits.”
“Get them please. Do I need to buy music?”
“Confirmed.”
Well shit. 230 credits won't get me much, I think. “How many CDs worth of my favorite bands can I get with 200 credits?”
“Out of twenty bands can purchase five CDs of each band.” That's not too bad. Twenty different bands should do me plenty.
“Do 50 varying artists. All my favorites and then some of the best music for genres close. Different genres, just no Christian music or R&B or anything like it. That should do me plenty to listen to.”
“Confirmed. Downloaded to speakers.”
“Ok time for skill points to spend. Tell me about tailoring skill.”
“Tailor, create new designs and sew them into being. Cost 20 skill points.”
Sounds about right. “I want it. Buy it please.”
“Confirmed, will be absorbed upon next sleep cycle.”
Which I'd known that before my nap. Oh well. 10 skill points left. What to do.
“There was another sleep skill, what was it?”
“All-sleep, Perfect sleep in any situation, cost 10 skill points.”
I like it. “Get that too then. I always get the best perfect sleep in less and less time.” I grin. Raven stares into space.
Time to hit the dungeon.
**
Porting to my spot, it was much less crowded this time of night. I walk to the dungeon portal. After greeting the guard, I step through.
Walking down the hall is no big deal anymore. I quickly kill the first goblin. Marking about how I would set up the smallest tent here. Sliding through the next three rooms just as easily happens fast. I consider a break before the boss room but decided not to. Best get it over with sooner than later. Rushing through the door. I shout “riposte, riposte, riposte” with my force bolt wand. Both gobs are down, and the hob is on a knee. Better aim this time. “Riposte, riposte.” headshots both times. And it's done. False wall drops and the portal appears. But I turn around and go back to the beginning of the dungeon.
The first room was cleaned up. I pull out the smallest tent, 14x10ft. Takes up less than half the space of the 30x30 room. I position is so the doorway faces the next room and start setting it up. One thing I didn't think about is that I can't pin it down. There isn't any wind here, but I might lean on it or pull it tight. The orange and dark grey suits a bedroom, I think. I pull all the window blinds down and put the topper on. Going in I pick the left side for the bed. Pulling out the cot, I unbox it and set it up. Then the mattress topper, finally all the blankets and pillows I pile on the floor. I'll decide which I want later when I figure out the temperature. I pull the fluffy rug out and set it down. Then own of the two-by-two tables next to the cot. With that I have a complete bedroom. I zip up the middle section between the ‘rooms’ of the ten and pull out a four by two table. And a camping chair, with a cushion. This will be my reading nook, I decide. Laying a rug down on the floor, I sit down a moment. I pull my boots and socks off and trade them for my new sandals they're the kind that have toe holders you just slide your feet in. I scribble out a couple of auto sizes for them and poof perfect fit. Storing my boots I set about finishing the rest of my ‘camp’. Truly I could have everything in one or two rooms, but that seems a waste of space. But I don't really want to spread out that much either. And I did buy four tents. Pulling the second smallest tent I check that its 15 by 12. I could fit it in here too. And make this my living area. Put one in one corner and the other in a far corner. Make a square of living space next to the hallway entrance? That would work. It would be about 17x20 feet of open space. With a 12 x 20 caddy corner hidden by the tents. Or I could have them facing each. Have about 6 or 7 feet between them then a long space at the end? That sounds better. I start sliding the smaller tent over to the side wall into the corner across from the hallway to the next room facing the wall where the other tent will be. Making sure everything stayed in place. I start setting up the other tent facing the smaller one. This one is light green and grey. So I'll call the orange tent and green tent. Or sleep tent and day tent. Naw colors work better. Getting green tent set up is done quickly since apparently it's a popup tent. As I unfold it, it sprung up on me. Noth tents are around 7 feet tall so no worries there. I put the topper on but roll the window blinds up. I want some light in here just not dazzling. It's not a blackout tent, which is fine. Orange is. I take out the middle partition as I won't need it here. I try to decide which tables I want here. Or rugs. Thinking a moment. I go between the tents and lay out two rugs, so the tents are connected. Now I won't need shoes. I lay the edges of the rugs over the edges of the tents, so I won't be able to trip on them. It's not like I have to worry about bugs here.
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I think this will be my computer room. Don't need a lot of excess lighting for that. I pull out a four by two foot table and set it near a wall, not like I have to worry about anyone sneaking up on me. I pull out my desk chair and reassemble it. And a cushion just because. Then I set the shiny laptop on the table. It doesn't look that much different from laptops of now to be honest. Going to the other side I pull another of the four foot tables out, along with a camping chair and cushion. This will be my easy project table when I don't need a lot of light. I throw a rug down in the middle, just because.
Going out into the open area. Its 15by 30 ft. Wondering what I'm going to do with it. I decide to set up a project table. To the left side a few feet from the wall I pull out a six by two table. Going around to the other side I pull another one to make a T. Then a folding chair, with a cushion. At the end of the T and at the top of the T.
That should do for tailoring, I think. I can probably just dump all the fabric on the floor. Maybe I shouldn't. Going to the wall at the short side I pull out another six foot table and set it up. Then I start piling fabric onto it. Higher and higher it goes. I'm glad I started with the colored fabrics. Then the denim then the smooth fabrics. It's a rainbow of color. Stepping back the piles are over my head along the entire six feet of table. For some reason this made me entirely too giddy. No clue why. I pull my project planners out and set them down on the project tables. Then step back. Need to finish setting up
Going more towards the middle of the room I pull out the other two by two table and a folding chair with cushion. This will be my dining table. just in the middle of the room. Or should I put it between the tents? I'll move it over. Not quite where the rugs are though. But close to them. Now what else do I need? I need to set up a bathroom area. I'll do that in the next room. And the kiddie pool, maybe next room too. I still have four rugs. And three long tables.
I'll go set up two long tables against the wall opposite my tailoring tables. And throw a rug down there. Along with my last folding chair with cushion. I can set the other three camping chairs in the next room, one for the kiddie pool. Maybe I'll put one next to the tents? I'll do that. Just a spot to sit and relax. In case I want to read or listen to music somewhere different.
I pull out my yearly planner. “Raven, can you track time spent in the dungeon?”
“Negative, time does not pass in a dungeon.”
Ok. “Can you keep track of my waking hours in a dungeon? My sleep cycle?”
“Confirmed.”
“Ok. I'm marking today as January first of dungeon year. How long would you say I've been awake?”
“User has been awake approx. five hours.”
“Ok I'm going to call it five am then. Remind me to eat every 6 hours please, unless I'm asleep, then tell me when I wake up. And please keep track of how long I sleep.”
“Confirmed. User last ate four hour previously.”
It's really been that long? It didn't feel like it. Time is screwy in here though. Which is why I'm counting on Raven to help me keep track. With luck I'll be able to finish everything I want before my Lucas imposed month is up.
Looking around I deem my dining table too small and trade it for the four by two table. Then I start piling my drinks on it. Thats better. Feels more homey now. Grabbing the coffee I slowly sip it. Some dark brew hits my tongue it's a smooth blend, its good, but heavier than I like.
I go to the next room and pool out the kiddies pool and the last two camp chairs. I go back for my plain water bottle and hold the nozzle between my fingers, so it flows into the pool. It works like I thought it would. I just need to learn this enchantment. As I wait for the kiddie pool to fill. I contemplate what to do first. I should start with simple. Practice making clothes. Then practice putting two enchants on them. It starts spilling over but it doesn't bother me. The dungeon will take it. Going back to my living space. I set the water bottle down.
To my tailoring crafting tables I start pulling out supplies. They were all still in the packaging. I pull the mannequin, which I assemble. Only reason I could inventory it was because it was made of foam and comes in pieces. Organizing my tools onto the table I start unwrapping them. The tailoring skill should help me with knowing how to use them, but I haven't slept yet. And I'm not even tired. I don't think I could even nap.
“Raven what would happen if I tried to sleep when not tired? Would my skills help me?”
“Confirmed, All-sleep and perfect repose would still function to get perfect sleep. Would check to make sure you in top condition before waking user up.”
Huh, there's that. I could nap again if I wanted to do tailoring right away. Putting all the trash into bags then into my inventory as bags of trash. I go to my other tables and start pulling out all the little kits I grabbed. Most of these sound like a lot of fun.
Thinking about it, I pull the speakers from my inventory and set it on my dining table. Seeing no buttons. “Raven, do you control the speakers?”
“Confirmed. What would you like to play?”
“Soft music, something instrumental please.”
“Confirmed.” soft sounds of piano and flute start drifting through the room. I smile. And head for my lounger. I quickly grab a pillow and lay down for a few minutes. Closing my eyes. I think to myself. This has been a good day.
**
Blinking my eyes open. “Raven how long was I asleep?”
“User was asleep for 40 minutes. Time is now 5.50am”
Guess I was more tired than I thought. Yawning and stretching. I think to myself of then new knowledge in my head. I know how to sew. It's weird. It's like I knew how and I'm relearning something from my childhood. Thinking a moment, there's something I forgot. Pulling out the two foot table I set it up between project tables and a hand saw. I still need to make wands, but Raven can do that while I'm sewing. I start cutting them down to six inches each. I wasn't doing it very long when Raven interrupts me.
“Attention, user has not eaten for 6 hours.”
I blink in a daze, and laugh. Yeah, that was something I said. I stop sawing and go sit at my dining table. I pull out all my silverware and set it down. I'll pristine it all eventually. But first I sharpie a pristine on the camping set. That should do it for now. Pulling a random meal, I got fish and rice, with carrots. I munch on it while thinking of which project to start first. T-shirt would likely be easiest. Front, back and sleeves. Or skirt. Just a round panel. But skirt would need a waistband of some kind. Drawstring? Elastic? Buttons? They need some way to get it on and off. And it needs pockets. So tshirt first. Do I do lining? Or just make it light weight? I've got plenty of different fabrics. Could just make a silk shirt. Or rayon. Or cotton and wouldn't need lining. So many choices.
Finishing my meal, I grab the soda bottle and take a drink. Then I splutter. Currant! What!? Thats can't be a soda anywhere. Ugh. I take another orange soda drink this time. Much better. I'm going to be judgy on the unlimited bottles from now on.
Picking out a blue cotton fabric, I set my measuring mat down. Then I pull out the simple tshirt pattern. I’m going with men's large so that anyone can get it for one. Or should I go with triple x? I'll do large first and then make another. just have to size it up a bit. Doesn't need to be perfect, just proportional. Finding the right size pattern, I pin it to the fabric square I'm using. The fabric is folded over so I'll get a front and back from one cut.
I follow the lines as I cut along. Cutting wide won't hurt. Go round the edged for the neck line and arms is tricky, but I manage. A bit uneven but it'll smooth out. I hope. There, front and back cut. I pin it to the mannequin. For a starting point. Then I go and cut the sleeves out. There pretty easy just a wavy half circle. Looking at the pattern there's on more bit, that you're supposed to do in a different color. I skip it. Not like anyone would know. I pin the sleeves on the mannequin and to the front and back. It look mostly right. I roll bits in here and there to make it more even. Then pin it in place. Now to turn it inside out and actually sew it together.
Which isn't going as well as I’d hoped. I forgot to iron the fabric. So, it's not as free as I had wanted. Hopefully the auto size will help with that, but this is my practice shirt. Maybe I should have tried on socks first. No, it has to be something I made. I ain’t sewing socks. I could though. Later, maybe
The tshirt is coming together badly. Its tight in some places and loose in others. The sleeves look decent though. I shake it out. It looks shirt like. I take my armor off and try it on. Bad fit, but I put on auto size on and it's much better. Taking it off. It looks much more professionally done now. The sleeves are even the shirt is even. The neck is a nice curve. It looks good for a first try. Auto size is such a cheat now. I'm so glad I made it.
Not to embroider it on. Or pristine first? I need to put both on? Or just sell auto size separately? Decisions. I want both on, so people don't need to buy more than one. I never made a color wand, and I might not. Or make it super expensive. Like 200 credits expensive. Such frivolity. Or 500. Or even 1000 credits. No one needs more color, but it would be fun to have. I'll think about it later. Its back to sawing.
**