Page 24 of Love in Development

ScarlettSaber: So we could finish the quest in a couple days?

IvoryKnight: I don’t think it will be that easy.

As I scrolled through the poem, I had a quick flashback to the theater.The similarity to Shakespearean lines reminded me to toss off a less frantic message through the communication app to Lin and Charisse.As I read, my hand seemed to move of its own accord, filling up a page of my idea book with cramped writing about possible quests and scenarios.The group gave me several minutes to read and absorb.

ScarlettSaber: Wow.Looks complicated.

ShadowImp: IK already figured out the first one.We can head out right away.

Mom wasn’t home yet, and cozy in my room, I had plenty of time to just sink arm-deep into fighting before making dinner.But if IvoryKnight had already figured out the couplet, did that mean he would be the MVP?I’d just dive in and hope for the best.

ScarlettSaber: Lets go.

We fast-traveled to the closest town and started the trek through mob-infested foothills into the mountain range we had to climb.I switched to a voice-to-text program to keep my hands free, and I assumed the others had the same setup.No one asked me to do voice chat, and I was good with that.

ScarlettSaber: Are you not worried about the rumors?

ShadowImp: RogueStriker is the griefer.

That was sweet, but did they really believe it?

VerdantArcher: This isn’t the first time his name has come up.They’ll remember that.

IvoryKnight: Aggro mobs.

A couple of hours passed as we got to know each other while wiping out hordes of Snow Hares and Frost Sprites.I found my place in their group, facing off against the pack mentality of ice wolves during the trek to the top.Near the peak, our shaky alliance was tested against a Yeti mini-boss.

IvoryKnight: We’re nearing the boss.You up for it, scarlet saber?

I almost laughed at the spelling of my name.He was definitely in voice-to-text.But I still hadn’t made dinner.

ScarlettSaber: Gimme a minute.

Setting down my headphones, I grabbed the empty soda can to throw away in the kitchen.Mom still wasn’t home yet.I reached into the fridge for a second soda.Leftovers, which could pass for dinner tonight, meant I could spare another hour if that was how long it took to defeat this snow boss.Besides, I wanted to at least finish this one step and see if we could work well enough together in a boss fight when it was more about teamwork than the little mobs and minions that just needed numbers.And the loot from a big boss was too great a temptation.

I sat back down at my computer and settled the headphones over my ears.A couple of the avatars stood still as if AFK while the others milled about, keeping away any mobs that might wander over.

ScarlettSaber: I’m in.

IvoryKnight: The plan is for us to make an opening for verdant archer to get a disarm arrow off.That will lower the boss’s defenses, making it more likely that shadow imp’s dagger can hit.He has a reveal ability that uncovers one weakness of a creature each time it is used.It may take multiple fights with a boss to get enough information about how to defeat it.I can send out adjustments as we battle it and learn its skills.

ScarlettSaber: You sound like you have this all worked out.

VerdantArcher: That’s because that is what he does.He’s the best at making plans and exploiting weaknesses.

ShadowImp: Can you tank it?

ScarlettSaber: I’ll be too fast.Won’t need to tank.Why didn’t you guys pick up a healer?

ShadowImp: IK’s style is too aggressive.No time to waste on someone who can’t contribute damage.We have potions and buffs.

There was no more time for chat as we hit the first of the higher-level minions at the entrance to the cave.Wind blew and snow fell, masking some of the aggros.And there were lots.We had to clear the cave three times before the mini-boss,Abominable Snowman, dropped a door key.I gulped down half my grape soda while we had a break from fighting and searched for where the key went.

ScarlettSaber: I found a smooth section over in this shadow.It might be a door.

The others hurried over to check it out, and ShadowImp, the group’s rogue, checked for traps.He used the key, and the door opened, leading us through more minion-infested halls until we reached a great ice hall.Would my discovery be enough for me to get MVP?I stretched my fingers and shoulders, preparing for a hard fight.The very-rare boss actually turned out to be a snow queen.

She sat on a throne of crystallized ice in the center rear of a large room with flat ice walls, each with a single door.Columns of decorated ice dotted the room, with her sycophants stationed throughout.Those columns would be great to throw our backs against, so we wouldn’t get surrounded.