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The Alpha Tester's Journal
[7] Unwilling Fates

[7] Unwilling Fates

Drake finds himself wondering what’s next. Having just a few moments before Jack begins with the next issue at hand, he let out a sigh, a very deep sigh. Rya stood behind him and said very softly, “You better fight with all you have because I know what the next punishments are.”  Drake knew this was the worst day of his life because of these particular adventurers.  He could just picture what was coming next after being tricked into wearing a dress and forced to wear stiletto heels after learning a women’s dance.  Heck, activating special heritage features he’d suppressed that make Elves and Fairies tend to be more feminine in literature was pushing the line. Jack and Rya seem to want to see him wearing a maid outfit or trying to force him to act completely like a girl and it did not help finding out about the fine print of the contract requiring an enormous investment in gameplay or a large payout for not playing. Knowing he couldn’t afford paying off the company he resigns himself to his fate.

Standing off to the side, Jack begins warming up with his sword and yells at Drake, “Here I come! Defend yourself with all you’ve got!”  Drake pulls out the knives he was just given and tries to precariously balance on the ankle breaking shoes he’s wearing now.  Swinging his right knife as a distraction, and successfully catching Jack’s sword, he attempts to strike from underneath with his left at Jack’s belly.  Unfortunately, since Jack is much more adept at his skills, a slight move from him toppled Drake off the nails that passed for shoe heels.  Drake had forgotten the number one piece of advice he was given: the dance he learned was to be used for fighting. “You didn’t fight using the dance steps.  That cost you your balance.  If you don’t follow instructions properly, I’m punishing you.”

Drake tries hard for the next few hours to get a single hit on Jack.  Rya laughs each time Jack taps him with the side of the sword until Drake finally is so distracted, he stops the dance getting hit hard.  Fustrated, he starts clearing the notices that’ve popped up looking for all the world like he was throwing a tantrum since he was still flat on his back waving his arms to hit the right buttons.

Dexterity: +3Stamina: +3Agility: +5Passive Skill Acquired: Sultry Walk (Requires high heels) – Enhances Charisma Stat. Decreases stealth skills around men.  Skill increases automatically by walking, bending, or dancing.  Cannot be disabled.An escort quest has been accepted by your instructor for you.  As the existing quest is of a lower rank, it cannot be marked complete until the end of the escort mission. See Jack for details.

*Click* “Drakey, I have a new present for you….” Rya presses a small box into his hands and shows him a mirror. “You look lovely with that lip wax and wig…. Jack says I can throw a fireball at you if I see you without them on from now on.  Oh, we’re heading out north tomorrow and you’re coming with us….  We’ve already accepted on your behalf a quest to escort a party to another town.  Oh, before I forget, we’ve already told our employers that our party has two women.  Want to guess the identity of the second woman?”  She pauses for emphasis while placing a hand on Drake’s chest. “Oh, and you get to learn to ride a horse all lady like since your dancing prevents you learning the gentlemen’s method.”

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After a tasteless meal the next morning, Jack and Rya prod him to the door of the guild, “Jerimiah, we’re heading out on the escort.  It’s been fun and fulfilling.” A grunt comes back as the three exit and practically stumble into three horses. “Up you go,” Rya says placing Drake on a weird saddle.  “Don’t let go of the horn and gently hold the reins in your left hand.  If you try to disobey me, I’ll whip your horse so it tosses you off.” Suddenly a fireball hisses by his arm. “You forgot the wig and wax.  Put them on now!”  A second fireball barely misses him and he hurries to haphazardly apply the disguise.  A rag is tossed at him. “Again.  It’s not right.” As they ride to the city gates, Rya continues to throw fireballs until new pop ups arrive:

Active Skill Acquired: Disguise – Costs 10 mana. Alters appearance of self or target and enables profession related skills for noblewomen, maids, thieves,  and actors.Sub Skill Acquired: Cosmetics. Base skill: Disguise. Enables use of waxes, pollens, dusts, and powders to enhance or disguise facial features.Sub Skill Acquired: Hairdresser. Base Skill: Disguise. Enables use of wigs, rods, ornaments, and dyes to enhance or change hair on target.Skill Acquired: Horseback Riding – Side Saddle.  Allows you to ride appropriate mounts as a dignified woman.Fairy Naming Ceremony occurred.  Prince Jack Oberon has named you in front of witnesses as “Tanya Oberon”.  Fairies will only refer to you as “Tanya” at this time.  As you are not a recognized Fairy Noble of the same or higher rank as the Prince and your Fairy blood is at the highest percentage, you cannot decline the name.Elven Naming Ceremony occurred.  Lady Rya Forestdrake Oberon has named you in front of witnesses as “Lunetta Forestdrake”.  Elves will only refer to you as “Lunetta” at this time.  As you are not a recognized Elven Noble of the same or higher rank as the Lady and your Elven blood is at the highest percentage, you cannot decline the name.Due to the effects of the Naming Ceremonies, your heritage has been updated to: 40% Elven (Moon), 40% Fairy (Royal), and 20% Human (Hero). Your features have become finer. Elven skin color for moon tribe (brownish green) acquired.  Hair color has turned lighter blue.Elan’s Blessing has unlocked another change: Due to Fairy Blood being 40% or more and your Royal Heritage, your natural nail color has been updated to light silver.  Color will change once you start practicing magic based on your affinities.

At the guardhouse, a large wagon is waiting.  The merchant riding inside inquires, “Are you Mister Jack Oberon, his wife Rya, and his daughter Tanya?” A glare from Rya toward Drake keeps his mouth shut.

“We are.  We will protect you on your journey to the next town, but I must warn you to keep your hands off my wife and daughter, otherwise ….” Jack says as his sword dances quickly with Rya’s fireball. After the display by the pair, the merchant nods and snaps his reins.  The party sets off with Jack in the lead and Rya with Drake – now Tanya – behind throwing each other murderous glances.