Thursday dawned just as usual, nothing outstanding showed the anticipation for the new game being released today. Nate knew that the store was going to be brimming with enthusiastic gamers, eager to get their hands on the new game releasing that day. Nate himself had preordered the game after his friends had all continuously badgered him to play with them.
He sighed and drank the stale cheap coffee his parents preferred, Nate's own tastes much different now after living with his ex-girlfriend. He frowned as the intrusive thoughts of their break up carried through once more and shook his head.
"So much for a peaceful morning." He said aloud to no one, sometimes it helped to express the discontent.
Draining the last dregs Nate set the cup into the sink, turning to head out into the November morning. He should have woken early to start the car, but the guys had kept him up late last night to play 'Dungeons and Dragons', their usual Wednesday habit.
The frosty air assailed Nate as the icy ground crunched beneath him, steam rising from his footsteps and breath. Taking a moment to brush the snow from the car, he unlocked the beaten door to slide into the messy exterior. Bags, boxes and other forgotten wrappings of a hundred different fast food meals served as a reminder to his daily lunch breaks.
Nate sighed and pushed the key into the ignition pulling the door closed sealing himself in the chilly interior. The engine roared and sputtered before settling on a near deafening hum as the car came to life. Nate shoved his hands into his pockets to attempt to keep from freezing and waited for the car to warm and thaw.
A buzzing in his pocket alerted to a text on his phone, Nate debated whether to risk the cold to answer but let the thought rest. It was probably his mother or one of the guys, maybe Adeline his sister but Nate doubted she would waste her last days of winter break to say anything to him. It was strange normally he didn't hear from anyone until lunch, they all knew his schedule if it was important they would call.
Several minutes later he finally adjusted the mirror and backed out into the street, the tires steaming on the still frozen pavement. Nate could see several other cars pulling onto the road, their occupants bundled as he passed. The minutia of everyday life that was this time of year, dull and boring as it could often be it was still at least dependable.
Nate pulled off of the main road and into the small outlet mall where the store was settled. He could already see the line forming at the door, circling back toward the larger market that took up the majority of the mall. Nate sighed and pulled into his usual spot and quickly made his way into the store.
Several of the queueing people called out to him some Nate recognized. He waved at those he did and turned to unlock the door, letting himself and locking the door again heading into the office.
***
Nate sat at his computer that evening looking down at the back of the case for the new game. He was glad to see that the specs of his computer matched well within the limits required for the game, it was nice to see that at least one thing was going right today. His lunch break had been late and shortened due to the crowd for the new game.
He sighed and sat the case down, turning to the screen with a satisfied grin. The title screen flashed before Nate and he picked up the controller, feeling it vibrate in tune with the theme music. Lets get lost in this new world. Nate thought pulling his headset on, the game sounds immediately filling his ears.
Nate let himself be pulled into the story, choosing to create his own character rather than use the predesigned options. Settling upon a ranger with options to look into magic later, he started his quest within the realms of the game. It was not long before Nate blinked and several hours had passed by, leaving him yawning as he stared blankly at the clock.
Rubbing his eyes Nate sat the controller down after saving his progress. Taking one last look at the pause screen he settled back onto his bed, it was rare that a game took this much of his interest. Looking up at the ceiling Nate smiled and closed his eyes as sleep pulled him into its darkness.
[Enter Player Name: Nathaniel Jones ]
[Registered Species: Human ]
[Registered Gender: Male]
[Registered Class: Unknown]
[Registered Age: 24 Years]
[Registered Status: Unknown]
[Marital Status: Unmarried]
[Registered Skills: None]
[Registered Level: 1]
[Registered Allies: Lady Rosnan Dandridge ]
[Registered Magic: None]
Error: Diagnostics incomplete....
Registering new paramater database....
Incorporating Oxygenic Atmosphere Module....
Incorporating Gravity Realism Expectational Module....
Incorporating Edible Foods Module....
Incorporating Human Needs Module....
Incorporating Human Waste Module....
Incorporating Human Emotions Module....
Incorporating Human Senses Module....
Incorporating Human Autonomy Module...
Incorporating Realistic Autonomy Global Module....
Incorporating Realistic Randomness Global Module....
Incorporating Realistic NPCs Global Module....
Incorporating Human Module.....
Overwriting Character Functional DNA....
Overwriting Character Skeleton Parameters...
Overwriting Shadows....
Overwriting Character Base Skin Textures....
Overwriting HUD Allocations....
Overwriting Inventory Allocations....
Overwriting Control Functions.....
Releasing Parameter Restraints.....
Released Parameter Restraints.....
Releasing...
[Registered Location: Village of Bubbleton ]
[Registered Region: Unknown]
[Registered Instance: Tutorial]
[Registered Status: Sleeping]
[Registered Inventory: None]
[Registered Wealth: None]
[Registered Dwelling: None]
[Registered Mount: None]
[Registered Livestock: None]
[Registered Family: None]
[Registered Guild: None]
[Registered Sun Cycle: Morning]
[Registered Moon Cycle: 3/4 Full]
[Registered Time: 08:00 a.m.]
Nate awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and the burbling of a stream as it passed along lazily. He sat up to find that he was in meadow, how he had gotten here Nate could not say. He looked about and saw a dirt road leading over a wood and stone bridge. On the other side of the bridge was what appeared to be a small village, though he could tell right away that it was clearly a very rural area.
Standing up Nate realized with a start that his clothes were missing. He looked about to see nothing near him at all. Nate sighed and dusted himself off as best he could, this was not at all what he had expected to wake up to.
Hoping to find some clothes and potentially some answers in the village, he crossed the bridge. The houses and animals within their pens sat splayed out before him as Nate crossed through the walls that protected the small collection of buildings. He did not see anyone though it was obvious that someone had been tending the animals.
Making his way along the high street the area seemed to be entirely devoid of life aside from the animals who grazed lazily. Nate was just starting to give up when a sound made him freeze.
Two men in armor on black horses rode up to him as he turned to face them. Stopping just as they neared, Nate watched as they dismounted and one of the men clanked forward.
"By order of Lady Rosnan Dandridge, what business brings you into this realm Sir?" The man asked as he stopped before him.
"What?" Nate asked as he looked the men over, taking in their attire from their gleaming armor to the large swords on their backs.
"I said, state your business!" The man ordered firmly, "We are the guard of Lady Dandridge, what business do you have in her Ladyship's realm?"
Nate stared at the man. "I have no idea what you are talking about." He said with a frown, "I was asleep in my bed one moment and now I am here."
The two men looked at one another before the other nodded. "You will come with us, her Ladyship will know what to do with you."
Realizing that he had no options and that the men probably would not allow him any Nate followed along. The dirt road beneath his bare feet was beginning to feel like rough sand when a large manor house finally came into view nestled at the head of the village.
The two men continued to lead Nate on to the house where the one who had spoken lead him inside. The spacious entrance hall echoed with the armored man's movements as he trudged along toward one of the halls.
"You will wait here, I shall alert her Ladyship to your presence." The man said before turning and leaving the hall.
Nate looked about at the portraits on the walls, the suits of armor and layers of finery that covered everything. This was clearly a place where he was going to get answers if anywhere else, or so he hoped.
It was only a few moments before Nate heard the armored man returning, this time however he could hear the footsteps of another with him. As Nate turned in the direction they were coming from their voices preceded them into the room as a woman dressed in a formal floor length gown with flowing sleeves entered with the man.
"This is the wandering vagrant?" She asked with a frown looking back to the man. "You could have at least dressed him first Bodrick."
The man shrugged, "You said to alert you if any more of them showed up." Bodrick said with a frown. "I can't help it if they can't show up dressed."
The woman sighed and shook her head before turning to Nate. "I suppose you will have questions, first let my assistant dress you and then we shall discuss everything over lunch. I fear this may take some time for you to adjust to and I would rather you were comfortable."
Nate didn't dare argue with her as another man appeared holding a tape measure and several bolts of cloth in his arms. Taking him by the hand, he lead Nate away as the other two made their way outside.
Nate was lead into a small workshop where the man made him stand while he took his measurements. He muttered and made notes with a quill and piece of parchment before starting to work on the fabric.
"Are you going to make this from scratch?" Nate asked with fascination as he watched the man work.
"Certainly." The man said in a reedy voice. "How else would I put together something for you to wear?"
Nate frowned, "Well, I could just wear something that isn't already in use."
The man looked at him with a raised brow. "My boy, I don't know where you come from but here all clothes are tailored to fit the wearer, I cannot just hand you something as it will not fit."
Nate stared but did not question further as he waited to see how long it would take for the man to finish. The man did not interject further throughout as he sewed and stitched, occasionally using his scissors to cut fabric or string to tie off ends. Finally after what felt like hours he proclaimed the work complete and handed the garments over.
Nate looked down at them it was a simple black tunic with brown pants. The man indicated for him to put the garments on so that alterations could be made if necessary. Nate quickly did as instructed and waited while the man fussed over him before pushing him down into a chair.
"Shoes will be another matter, but for now I believe I have something you may fit." He said and strode over to one of the cabinets rummaging within.
After a few moments he brought forth a pair of old buckled leather shoes which Nate eyed with some apprehension. No form of socks seemed to be included in the offered garments so he took the shoes and pulled them on, finding to his surprise that they fit comfortably enough.
"Now, I shall take you to her Ladyship so that she can determine what to do with you." The man said as he turned back to him after stowing away his tools and bolts of fabric.
[Inventory Update]
[Black Cloth Tunic received]
[Brown Cloth Leggings received]
[Old Worn Leather Buckled Shoes received]