Forming a Party

I sit behind the counter of the Guild, nursing a cup of juice. "Ugh. My pitch sucked. Nobody is going to want to join me. I might as well just go out and hunt Bashers. At least then I'll be getting closer to getting my class, earning money, and getting more fighting experience. That's three for three. I'll go after I finish my juice."

My self-deprecating muttering is interrupted by Receptionist patting my head from her chair. "Don't say that. Your pitch was good! If they don't want to join you, well that's their loss then. You should wait. It does take a while for new recruits to make up their minds after all."

I grumble something noncommittal as I take a sip of juice. In the meantime, I decide to check my karma

*Status:

Name: Seka

Race: Cat Beastkin

Age: 16

Class: Unavailable

L.V: 7

X.P: 149/700

Health: 150/150

Mana: 460/460

Stats:

Strength: 11

Constitution: 15

Dexterity: 15

Agility: 15

Charisma: 23

Intelligence: 23

Wisdom: 13?

Skills:

Identify: 3

Hand-To-Hand: 2

Sneak Attack: 3

Examine: 1

Acting: 4

Abilities:

Adorable

Claws

Magic Instinct

Elegance*

I scowl at my wisdom's continued uncertainty, then scowl at my ever-increasing Acting skill. I still don't understand why it's going up! I also have to think about what I want to take for my last two skills.

Given that I can only have seven, I need to make sure I can get something that will mesh well with my intentions. I have gotten a few skills offered: eating, misdirection, running, concealment, and other such things. But since I've learned that I can only have seven, I've refused them. None of them really feel right for my personality.

What I find odd though, is that I haven't been offered a single magic oriented skill. No fire magic, wind magic, magic control, or some kind of power boost. My eyes drift towards my ability section and the most likely culprit. Magic Instinct.

All my magic usage is natural, I don't really have to work for it. Each of my other skills require at least more than a moment's thought. Identify and Examine needed me to study a monster and an object in order for me to learn them.

Sneak attack and Hand-to-Hand I needed to perform the actions. Acting I got for my performance when I got attacked by those thugs. 'I wonder if the smart thug survived? He only got hit once, but it was a severe strike to the head. I'd put his odds at fifty-fifty.'

Anyways, since all my magic usage is natural, I don't think that I can get magic skills. It's a trade-off, but I think it's more than worth it. But I suppose that I'll only see how good it is when I get to higher levels.

I'm drawn from my thoughts by Receptionist tapping my head to get my attention. She clears her throat. "I'm sorry, can you repeat yourself?"

"I said that I'm looking for Miss Seka. I wish to join her party."

I poke my head above the counter, surprising the girl on the other side. She's a tall brunette in leather armor. 'I should buy some armor.' On her hips are a pair of daggers.

"... Why are you hiding behind the counter?"

"I was contemplating ditching my previous plan to form a party to hunt the local monsters." I sip my juice.

She looks at me with clear confusion. "... Why?"

I shrug. "I didn't think that I would actually get anyone interested when my pitch was so bad. Especially with the big names in town recruiting."

She nods. "That's fair. But your pitch touched on the most important things for adventurers." She ticks them off on her fingers. "Getting stronger. And seeing the world. Honestly the lack of a plan makes your offer more interesting. You lack the baggage that comes with people that are already established."

I narrow my eyes. "What's your role?"

She puffs out her chest. "I fill the role of a rogue, with a specialization in discovering things that are hidden. Traps, secret rooms, stuff like that. I can also unlock most any container."

I give her a queer look. "What level are you?"

"Nineteen. Same as my age."

"Huh. Are you sure you're suited for my party? I haven't even hit level ten yet."

She shrugs. "So long as you aren't just hanging out in town, you'll grow quickly. Plus, like I said. You don't have the baggage that the companies have."

I nod. "In other words, you've stolen from most of the organizations in town and are looking to get out before they find out it was you." I hold out my hand. "Nice to be working with you!"

"Ow!" Receptionist flicked my ears! "Why'd you do that!?"

"You can't just make up random theories about people you just met. Especially when they're trying to join you!"

I pout. "It's not like I have a problem with that. The fact that she hasn't been caught yet just showcases her skills!"

As the two of us argue, the girl in question is listening with a stunned expression on her face. None of us notice the two new people waiting to be acknowledged until one of them clears their throat.

"Pardon young ones, but are you still letting people join your party?" The old man is here!

I nod. "Yep. Other than my new rogue, you two are the only ones to show up." I look at his companion. "Hey, aren't you the transmigrator?"

She jumps a bit at my question. "Um, that's correct, but how do you know about that?"

I shrug. "The song you did to use the ghosts and fog thing. The representative of the Pillars Of Somewhere mentioned it. Apparently she knows a transmigrator who always references it. She told everyone else who was there about it."

"Oh." She shrugs. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter. It's not like anyone will chase me down or anything."

We all look at her. Quickly, I reach out and knock on the wooden desk. 'I guess she's not familiar with raising a flag. Not a geek then.'

I ignore her confused look and finally stand. "Well then, if we're going to be in a party together we should introduce ourselves. Maybe over a meal? My treat."

At their nods we make our way over to the dining area and order some food. I get a refill for my juice. It tastes like some kind of mix between lemonade and apple juice, and it's really addicting. Apparently the fruit version is called a lepple.

"So, my name is Seka, a catkin. I can use magic, but prefer to fight up close with my claws." I hold up a hand and let them pop out to show them, eliciting a gasp from the transmigrator. I look to the rouge to my right, and she continues it.

"Elva Lyn. An elf, though I was born in this town. No magic, but my class skills help me excel in sneaking around. Leave anything needing a light touch to me."

The old man is next. "Kodian, and human. I can use most weapons, with a good deal of skill. This won't be my first time traveling around, so I'll let you know if you're messing anything up too badly."

I hold back a chuckle as the transmigrator introduces herself. "My name is Millie Nars. My weapon is my voice, as you all likely saw during my fight. I can cause different effects depending on what song I sing. But I haven't had any combat experience, so…" She trails off.

I nod in understanding. "So if you can't sing, you can't help. That's fine, just make sure to keep something to soothe your throat with you." I ignore her offended look and clap my hands.

"Now that we're done eating and have gotten to know each other, we should hunt!"