for dzelkva

[selfconcept]

little cutie goes here aka I'll think of something later

Comments

7/30

[dzelkva]

[ Hien—rather, NoName—receives a message on his phone with three words. They're area keywords to Great Fortune's Radiation.

When Hien eventually goes there, he'll find himself in a snowy tundra. Right outside of the shrine dungeon is Zelkova, waiting patiently. ]

[selfconcept]

[ At least his long black cloak with the hood makes itself useful and lets him feel the cold less. It doesn't take long for Hien to get there. ]

What? Couldn't this be an email?

[ Friendly as always. /s ]

[dzelkva]

Isn't it better to talk in-person?

[ Figuratively speaking. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien doesn't sigh, but that vibe comes off him in waves. Neat how the VR can capture the essence of Hien's tired feeling. ]

Out with it.

[dzelkva]

That bug that happened during the party. What came of it? You took Fandaniel somewhere, didn't you?

[ He's nosy. ]

[selfconcept]

I took him to a restricted area, reprimanded him, and "cleansed" [ read: killed ] him of the bug so that he would no longer infect anyone. The rest of it was sent to the developers to look at. The affected people and dungeons are quarantined off from affecting more NPCs and PCs. It should be fixed next patch if the developers are good enough.

[ He stands firm on "pay me double" about actually getting rid of bugs on a wider scale. ]

[dzelkva]

Oh, so you don't take care of getting rid of the bugs?

[ He's seen Hien's low pay. Maybe that's not in his job function? ]

[selfconcept]

Not my job.

[ Right on the money. ]

Besides, I'm not a pro, so it would be better to leave it to the experts in their field. I should ask for a raise anyway. Babysitting all the players is giving me a headache.

[dzelkva]

What's so bad about them? They seem to be having fun.

[ Please explain the yaoi crimes, Hien. ]

[selfconcept]

It's the way they try to bait me into reacting, and I'm just tired of it.

[ He sighs deeply and shrugs. ]

I'd say half of them are troublemakers and the other half prefer not to be in the spotlight. It's just a handful of problem players, so it's nothing I can't handle. So, yes, they're having fun at my expense.

[dzelkva]

[ Zelkova tilts his head. ]

Maybe they just want you to have fun with them.

[selfconcept]

You have the purest of intentions, but I must decline that answer.

[ People are rotten. He's just doing his job. All the players are like children and he has to look after them so no one gets hurt too badly. That's all.

That's all...

... ]

I just like being alone.

[dzelkva]

[ All Zelkova does is smile, undeterred. ]

Being alone isn't fun, though. That's why people play games like this—they get to meet people and explore a world together.

[selfconcept]

There are many different ways to play a game, Zel. I play it my way, and the others do theirs.

[ Here is your confirmation that he doesn't think Zelkova is shit. He really wants a smoke right now. ]

Are you having fun?

[dzelkva]

Of course I am.

[ He beams. ]

I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone here... and maybe you too, NoName.

[selfconcept]

... Hmph.

[ He reaches over to ruffle Zelkova's hair while avoiding the horns. ]

Don't count on it. The players are more valuable regarding information anyway.

[ He withdraws his hand. ]

So focus on them.

[dzelkva]

[ Ah, so he does have a soft spot. It's hard to know if he agrees with that sentiment or not, but— ]

You're a player too. Don't forget that.

[selfconcept]

... Brat.

[ Though it's said with the assumed fondness that he might have in his cold heart. ]

Is that all you wanted to talk about?

[dzelkva]

It is, for the most part.

[ He sees your posts, Hien. That bad attitude is noticeable.

Not like Zelkova is particularly bothered by that. ]

I could have said all of this over email, but sometimes going to an area and enjoying the scenery is more fun.

[selfconcept]

[ He finally looks up ever since he came to the area. There's snow everywhere, and he feels a little cold, but it's not overwhelming. His gaze stops at Zelkova and wanders again to the shrine. He wonders how he'd feel if he likened Zelkova to a human. To be curious is a human trait, they say, for they seek knowledge of the unknown willingly instead of staying in their safe space.

But NoName would hate to call Zelkova a human. ]

I guess it's fine for a nice change of pace sometimes. You like the snow?

[dzelkva]

[ And Zelkova himself wouldn't want that either. There's a big distinction between himself and the players, after all.

He holds out a hand, watching as the pixeled snow falls into his palm. Is it cold? Probably—or at least, his coding says so. ]

It's different than the other areas. More peaceful, in a way. What about you?

[selfconcept]

Snow is cold. It melts if you touch it and it leaves a gross wet feeling, especially inside your shoes.

[ He breathes out, seeing a puff of air. Surely, it must be cold if he sees that. ]

If I'm not subjected to it, it's not so bad.

[dzelkva]

So, you like this area?

[ That's what he's getting from that statement. There's no way Hien's shoes can have cold, wet snow in them. ]

[selfconcept]

... Sure. Whatever.

[ He quietly huffs, wrapping himself with his black cloak that's a bit long. ]

I like it. There. Happy now?

[dzelkva]

I am.

[ He even grins. ]

I want you to enjoy this world too, after all. If you ever want to visit areas together, you can send me an invite.

[ With that, he sends Hien a friend request. ]