A Trip to a Popular Place

Tilia walked into the kitchen, "Yo Akiol, mail for you."

She slid an envelope across the counter. Though it slowed before reaching where Akiol was. He picked up the letter and read through the contents.

He then closed the letter, folded it, and stuck it in his pocket. Tilia could not help but ask, "What was it?"

"The time for a scheduled meeting, it seems they finally held up their part of the deal."

"Deal?"

"The incident shortly after our first encounter with Rygeth."

"Ah..."

Akiol was quite displeased that it took this long to get a response. However now that it was officially scheduled Akiol did not care about it anymore.

Tilia's phone rang and she sighed, "I have to take this."

Akiol waved her away, she had been spending a lot of time trying to get her business almost fully operational without her assistance. However it was a tedious process, so Akiol could only provide moral support.

...

Akiol logged back into the game, he felt like he had an addiction. He simply wanted to play more recently.

Perhaps he was enjoying the small exploration with Givale, a change from the constant action he had been facing since he joined.

Givale popped into existence, "I'm hungry!"

Akiol faintly smiled, "Then let's get some food then."

...

Akiol watched as more and more plates were stacked. He felt like the expenses of feeding a growing Dragon might drain his pocket soon.

Yielya had turned a corner and noticed the scene. A playful smile appeared as she walked over to them, "Are you sure you can afford this?"

"For now at least..."

Givale hesitated, if she was troubling Akiol...

Yielya noticed this and eased her worries, "Eat to your heart's content. Akiol can afford this easily. It would be a long time before you can empty his pockets."

"How do you know how much is in my pockets?"

"You act like you spend your money."

"I am now."

Yielya took a seat, "Then I suppose you won't mind treating me to a meal?"

"What's one more plate?"

Akiol sat patiently as the two ate. Stars watched this and said, 'We are two who do not eat.'

"We only watch."

'A fate worse than death.'

Givale choked on her food for a moment. After clearing it down she shouted through the link, 'I'm sorry okay?'

'Woah, someone is a little cranky.'

Akiol rolled his eyes, "Alright, enough."

Givale continued to eat in silence, though her movements showed a little more anger to them.

Yielya raised an eyebrow, "What's enough?"

"These two were fighting again."

"I didn't hear anything."

"They speak through a link that is connected to me. My head has become a chat room for these two."

Yielya placed down a fork, "How intriguing... Are you doing anything after this?"

"Exploring probably."

"Then can I tag along?"

"I don't mind. Givale?"

Givale managed to give a thumbs up behind the mountain of dishes.

Yielya nodded happily, "Good, there was a place that has been rising in popularity that I wanted to check out. I just didn't want to look like some loner."

"Who cares what people think?"

"Do you know who you are talking to?"

"Yes."

"Then you should know that I don't care."

Akiol was slightly confused, "But you just said-"

"I'll go myself if I want to."

Akiol sighed, "We'll go!"

Givale gulped down a final plate of food, "This was good!"

Akiol looked at the final reckoning of her stomach. He felt bad for the chefs, it must have been overtime for them.

Akiol paid for the food and the three walked out of the city. Yet after only fifteen minutes of walking Yielya suddenly said, "We are not walking there. It will take forever at this rate."

"What's wrong with a little exploration?"

"A lot. Normally I wouldn't mind if it's one or two hours. But at this pace it will take seven."

"So what are we gonna do?"

Yielya pulled out a small flask, upon opening it a faint odor leaked out. Yet after two seconds the flask automatically closed, "You may not have one yet, but Jarvis has been working towards getting us some nice mounts."

A faint thumping sound could be heard. From a nearby bush a creature appeared. It looked like an average lizard, however it was far larger. Additionally it's neck was quick long. Making it look like a miniature brontosaurus.

It's most notable feature was its head. Two small dots were its eyes. It's mouth was wide but thin, making it look like a line across it. It looked like a smile emoticon, which Akiol found a little amusing, "It's quite funny lookin."

"That's why I chose him. I named him Niro. As Jarvis put it, a herbivorous animal that is almost completely blind. It's prominent feature is that it is incredibly quick and is capable of navigating the terrain easily. Making it a suitable mount if you gain its trust."

Akiol touched its neck and asked, "Where did Jarvis find him?"

Yielya shrugged, "Where does he find anything? Man is blessed to come across creatures of all kinds."

Givale was quite excited, "Woaah! It's a big lizard!"

Stars commented, 'I would say the same about you, but your actually quite small.'

Akiol immediately stopped this, "Stars, let us not mess with Givale right now?"

'Fine... I'm bored anyway.'

Givale climbed onto one of the seats on the lizard, there was a total of two. She excitedly pointed forward, "March mighty steed!"

Yielya climbed onto the other one, "He doesn't listen to commands like that."

Yielya spent a few minutes teaching Givale on how to lead Niro.

After Givale got the hang of it Yielya looked at Akiol, "So how are you going to get up here?"

"There seems to be no seats." Akiol said, which was clearly obvious.

Yielya grinned, "Want to sit on my lap?"

"Ha Ha, I bet you don't expect me to take that offer."

"Of course not."

Akiol formed into a ball and jumped into her lap. Yielya remained silent for a moment before commenting, "Well played, I have lost this round."

Yielya looked up, "Givale, if you would lead Niro in that direction."

Givale was a little hesitant, "Do I have to moved him around the trees?"

"Niro is quite skilled at moving, just make sure he is heading that direction, he will move around on his own."

Givale cautiously lead Niro in the direction Yielya directed to. Yet upon seeing Niro skillfully move through the terrain she relaxed.

Yielya secretly increased the pace, she planned for the ride to take an hour. While she enjoyed the scenery, she would much rather get to the goal within a decent timeframe.

As they traveled Yielya poked and prodded Akiol. She was quite intrigued by the slime. She soon became a little more violent in her tests. She began pulling and stretching the slime.

Akiol couldn't feel any pain, but it was weird, 'Stars, do you mind telling her to stop?'

'No problem.'

As Yielya continued to experiment she heard a voice.

'Akiol doesn't like that very much.'

She stopped momentarily, "Is that so..?"

Akiol felt like something was wrong, 'Stars quick, send me into your world.'

Yielya was about to mess with Akiol further, until he vanished completely. Leaving only the sword. She clicked her tongue, "He escaped."

Akiol found himself surrounded by galaxies. He formed back into his human form and looked around. Stars looked like he stepped on air as he descended, "Hello!"

"It's been a bit since we have spoken like this."

Stars nodded in full agreement, "You should come in here more often."

"I'll try."

Stars leaned to the side and started floating. Akiol watched as Stars seem to rest on air, "You seem comfortable."

"I am, this place is nice when it is quiet. It's a shame a certain someone prevents that from happening."

"What do you have against Givale?"

"Nothing, it's just fun to mess with her."

Akiol made a face, "So your arguing is fun to you?"

"She gets really upset when I poke fun at her, it's funny. The arguing just happens, nothing I can do about that."

"Sometimes it's a little unnecessary, make sure to tone it down a bit yeah?"

Stars sighed, "Truthfully I am a little jealous, being able to walk like that outside. Explore the world together, it's no fun being in here all the time."

"You don't like being a sword?"

"No, being a sword is cool. However I also want to be a person sometimes. I just can't right now."

"What stage do I have to be?"

"What?"

"For you to be able to use your human form outside."

"I don't know. I never reached that far."

"What about your previous owner?"

"My previous owner was... not as friendly."

"Oh."

Akiol did not ask further, he was worried that the subject of Stars' previous owner might be a sensitive subject. So he dropped the topic.

An awkward silence filled Star's space...