Chapter 38: Strawberry's New Mask
The morning sun was barely cresting over the rooftops when Strawberry, Muffin, and Quinella made their way downstairs to the inn's cozy breakfast area. They'd secured a quiet, tucked-away corner of the dining area, providing them with privacy from the other players coming and going. The inn itself was filled with the warm, inviting scents of freshly baked bread, crisped meats, and the rich aroma of brewed coffee, all mingling in a symphony of comfort. Strawberry felt her stomach rumble as they settled in, and even Muffin perked up at the enticing smells.
Once they'd each served themselves from the inn's buffet, they dug in, the meal delicious and simple—a hearty spread of eggs, fresh rolls, and fruit. For a few moments, they ate in companionable silence, each of them savoring the rare chance to relax after the constant tension and fights of Aincrad.
"So," Quinella started, breaking the silence as she sipped her coffee, her violet eyes meeting Strawberry's over the rim of her cup. "What's the plan once we head to the third floor? I know there's the next part of Ormi's quest to consider, but I'm curious what you're thinking."
Strawberry nodded, savoring a bite of her breakfast before responding. "Once we get my mask from Kaelin, the third floor is our next stop. I want to continue with Ormi's questline. Those gemstones she mentioned… there's something bigger going on with them. It feels like they're leading us to something important."
Quinella leaned forward, intrigued. "True. Those gemstones aren't just rewards—they're almost like keys. And the questline itself has been a huge advantage. It's kept us a step ahead of everyone else."
Strawberry smirked, grateful Quinella understood the potential. She appreciated how her companion's mind worked, always catching on to the importance of their goals. "Right. Plus, if the third-floor boss is anything like the ones we've faced so far, we'll need all the help we can get."
Muffin, who had finished nibbling on a slice of melon Strawberry had set aside for him, let out a soft squeak of agreement. His tiny nose twitched as he settled comfortably against Strawberry, looking as determined as his small, fluffy face could manage.
Quinella's gaze shifted to the bunny, and she reached out to gently stroke Muffin's fur. "Looks like Muffin's ready for the next floor too," she said with a smile. Then her tone turned thoughtful as she looked back at Strawberry. "But before that—what about Kaelin? She mentioned the mask should be ready today, right?"
Strawberry's eyes lit up with anticipation. "Yeah. The mask should cloak my player name and give us a bit more anonymity. After running into certain people…" She trailed off, not needing to explain much further. She had no intention of dealing with curious onlookers or players who might recognize her, and the mask would be one more tool in her arsenal—especially if certain people from her past were out there.
"Smart move," Quinella said with a nod. "It'll be good to have that as an option. There are plenty of players who might try to make trouble once they realize you've cleared both floors solo."
Strawberry grinned, the satisfaction of her accomplishments clear in her expression. "Exactly. And, knowing Kaelin, she'll make it look pretty good too. Can't complain about some added style."
Quinella laughed softly. "Of course. Even Aincrad's top player has a sense of fashion."
They finished the last of their breakfast, an easy silence falling over them as they mentally prepared for the challenges to come. The third floor awaited, and with Ormi's quest guiding them, they both felt the weight of a mystery just beginning to unfold.
"Well," Quinella said, standing and stretching, "let's go see what Kaelin has in store for us."
Strawberry and Muffin followed suit, eager to collect the mask and begin their ascent to the next floor. The third floor's dangers, and whatever secrets Ormi's quest held, were waiting. And with Kaelin's mask, Strawberry felt just a bit more ready to face them head-on.
Leaving the inn with renewed energy, Strawberry, Muffin, and Quinella made their way through the bustling marketplace of the second floor's main town. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the cobblestone streets, and vendors called out to passing players, eager to sell potions, equipment, and trinkets. The familiar buzz of Aincrad's commerce filled the air, the noise blending with the clinking of armor and the hum of spellcasters preparing for their journeys to higher floors.
Strawberry couldn't help but smile as she glanced around, taking in the lively scene. She'd spent so much time in Aincrad solo, focused solely on her objectives, that she hadn't fully appreciated the world around her. Having Quinella and Muffin by her side had changed that; there was something about sharing these experiences that made everything feel a little more vivid.
They finally reached Kaelin's smithy, a compact but inviting shop nestled between two larger buildings. The sound of metal striking metal rang out as they approached, and the warm glow from the forge lit up the shop's interior. Unlike the more polished shops lining the main streets, Kaelin's place had a rugged charm, her handiwork displayed proudly on wooden racks and walls. Everything from daggers to intricate jewelry glinted in the light, and the scent of hot metal and leather was thick in the air.
Kaelin, the half-dwarf blacksmith, looked up as they entered, her face breaking into a grin beneath her tousled bangs. She wiped her hands on her apron, dusting off remnants of charcoal, and beckoned them over.
"There you are! I was wondering when you'd stop by." Her sharp eyes sparkled with pride as she gestured to a small display table behind her, where the mask lay waiting.
Strawberry stepped forward, her gaze immediately drawn to the mask. Kaelin had truly outdone herself, creating a piece that was as beautiful as it was functional. The base was crafted from a sleek, polished obsidian that would allow her to blend effortlessly into the shadows, enhancing her stealth. But it was the intricate details that caught Strawberry's attention and made the mask something special.
The mask's design resembled a stylized rabbit's face, with soft, subtly contoured lines hinting at a rabbit's nose and whiskers, adding an edge of playfulness without compromising its menacing effect. The rabbit face didn't extend upward in the shape of ears, sparing her the hassle of getting them caught in her hood. Instead, the top of the mask was smooth and fitted snugly around her face, curving up to her cheekbones and forehead.
Kaelin had incorporated accents in fuchsia and white along the edges, creating delicate patterns that traced along the mask's contours, hinting at a rabbit's gentle expression. The colors contrasted sharply against the dark base, tying it seamlessly to Strawberry's armor and giving the mask a unique, striking appearance. A faint shimmer on the fuchsia lines hinted at Kaelin's enchantments, and the white accents glowed faintly in the dim light of the forge.
"Thought the rabbit touch might suit you," Kaelin said with a grin, noticing Strawberry's smile as she examined the mask. "Not too flashy, but distinctive enough. And it matches that little guy." She pointed toward Muffin, who poked his head out of Strawberry's hood, sniffing curiously at the new addition.
Strawberry chuckled, lifting the mask carefully to study it. The design was flawless—Kaelin had created something that felt personal, almost like an extension of herself. "You really outdid yourself, Kaelin. It's perfect."
Quinella leaned in to admire the craftsmanship, her violet eyes catching the faint shimmer of the enchantments. "It's incredible. I can see why you're in such demand," she said, glancing at Kaelin with genuine admiration. "It's almost as if it was made just for her."
Strawberry stepped forward, her gaze immediately drawn to the mask. Kaelin had truly outdone herself, creating a piece that was as beautiful as it was functional. The base was crafted from a sleek, polished obsidian that would allow her to blend effortlessly into the shadows, enhancing her stealth. But it was the intricate details that caught Strawberry's attention and made the mask something special.
The mask's design resembled a stylized rabbit's face, with soft, subtly contoured lines hinting at a rabbit's nose and whiskers, adding an edge of playfulness without compromising its menacing effect. The rabbit face didn't extend upward in the shape of ears, sparing her the hassle of getting them caught in her hood. Instead, the top of the mask was smooth and fitted snugly around her face, curving up to her cheekbones and forehead.
Kaelin had incorporated accents in fuchsia and white along the edges, creating delicate patterns that traced along the mask's contours, hinting at a rabbit's gentle expression. The colors contrasted sharply against the dark base, tying it seamlessly to Strawberry's armor and giving the mask a unique, striking appearance. A faint shimmer on the fuchsia lines hinted at Kaelin's enchantments, and the white accents glowed faintly in the dim light of the forge.
"Thought the rabbit touch might suit you," Kaelin said with a grin, noticing Strawberry's smile as she examined the mask. "Not too flashy, but distinctive enough. And it matches that little guy." She pointed toward Muffin, who poked his head out of Strawberry's hood, sniffing curiously at the new addition.
Strawberry chuckled, lifting the mask carefully to study it. The design was flawless—Kaelin had created something that felt personal, almost like an extension of herself. "You really outdid yourself, Kaelin. It's perfect."
Quinella leaned in to admire the craftsmanship, her violet eyes catching the faint shimmer of the enchantments. "It's incredible. I can see why you're in such demand," she said, glancing at Kaelin with genuine admiration. "It's almost as if it was made just for her."
Kaelin smirked, crossing her arms. "Well, it was," she replied, pride evident in her voice. "And the enchantments should keep your player name hidden, along with reducing reflections and making it harder for anyone to spot you. Try it on."
Strawberry slipped the mask over her face, feeling the familiar, cool press of obsidian against her skin. The mask settled snugly, its contours fitting perfectly as if it had been molded just for her. She felt a faint tingle as the enchantments activated, and in the mirror nearby, her reflection gazed back at her, a stranger with a mysterious, almost mythical air. The rabbit design gave her an oddly whimsical yet fierce look—a balance between mischief and danger.
"I used a temperature-regulating enchantment on the interior, so it stays cool, no matter how intense things get. And it's sweat-resistant too—no smudging or slipping." Kaelin said, pointing to where the inner lining should be.
When she turned to face Quinella, the effect was stunning. The rabbit design gave her a mysterious, almost playful air, while the sleek, dark base and hidden player name concealed her identity entirely. She could still move her jaw and mouth freely, but her eyes and upper face were perfectly obscured.
Quinella's eyebrows lifted, a smirk curving on her lips. "Kaelin, you're a genius," she said, admiration clear in her tone. "I think this suits her perfectly."
Kaelin crossed her arms, clearly pleased with herself. "I don't make basic gear, and I knew this needed to be something special. The enchantments should hold up under pretty intense conditions, but if you ever need a tune-up, come find me."
Strawberry nodded, adjusting the mask until it felt just right. She couldn't help the small smile of satisfaction beneath it. "This is perfect, Kaelin. Thank you."
"Just do me a favor and don't get it too banged up on the third floor," Kaelin replied with a playful wink.
As they left the smithy, Strawberry felt the weight of anticipation settle over her. This mask allowed her to move freely without the baggage of her player name. With a grateful nod to Kaelin and a quick adjustment of her hood over the mask, she and Quinella set off toward the teleport gate, ready to tackle whatever the third floor held in store.
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Sorry that it's been a while. Life stuff and all that.
Here's a Thanksgiving poll for you lovely readers.
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