[IC] DanMachi RP: Secrets of the Dungeon

[TaroAndSelia]

The morning sun flowed through the open window and struck the floor around Koph. With a soft hum her eyes flickered open, and with a smile she rose from her sheets to begin the day. Standing in the midst of her nest of blankets, Koph stretched languidly, letting the muscles of her arms and legs wake slowly. Then she intensified the motion, extending her entire body straight up as far up as she could, her lithe figure framed by the early sunlight.

Finally deciding her body was ready, Koph lowered her arms and searched around for her skirts. She found them tangled up in the nest, having been hastily discarded as she went to sleep the night before. The girl pulled them on and smiled, her head already beginning to nod rhythmically.

“Good Morning, Amaterasu-sama!” she called as she entered the small space they called the kitchen. As she expected, her goddess was already there preparing the morning meal. It wasn’t what the tribe cooked; but whatever Amaterasu-sama made was delicious.
“Good morning, Koph-chan. Were you in the Dungeon last night?”
“Eh-heh. I thought I’d leave you two alone for, you know, bestowing your blessing. A few more Valis never hurt, either. Anyway! Where’s he at? We should have a meal together and celebrate!”
“He’s still in bed, I believe. His body was in desperate need of rest; I’m just glad he can finally find it.”
“Where did he sleep?”
“Solome-san gave up his bed for the night. We’ll make more permanent accomodations today.”
“Then I better go say hi!” With that, Koph slipped out of the kitchen. Amaterasu simply smiled after her.

Solome was sitting on the couch, awake and watching silently. Koph had learned: even if his eyes weren’t showing him images, he still knew everything that was happening in their home. As if proving her point, he called out as Koph tiptoed past. “Off to pester the child already?”
“Just giving him a friendly greeting!” she retorted with a happy smile.
“See that your greeting isn’t too… intimate, girl.”
The Amazoness ducked into the bedroom, not giving any indication of having heard him. Solome let out a sigh, but a smile was on his face.

Koph approached the bed her face twisted with curiosity. She hadn’t stopped to look at him all that closely last night. Now that she did… He was really young. Barely a man of responsibilities, still far from a sire. His body wasn’t that young, though. Crouching to look at his bare arms, it was obvious to Koph that he worked hard. Everything was toned. Without a thought she reached down and grabbed his arm. Her fingers traced up the muscles to his shoulder, disappearing beneath the covers. Her hand slid down his pectoral, feeling the strength contained within, and down to the potential stone slab that was his abs. Asleep, at rest, it was soft; but even here she could feel the outline of muscles that only come from dedication.

The Amazoness withdrew her hand and slid further up the bedside. She leaned in to investigate his face closely, all her weight on the balls of her feet. From this close she could see the fuzz on his upper lip that signalled he would in time have facial hair. His chin was still barren though. The hair atop his head was a mess, mussed from days (or perhaps a life) of exertion and one very long snooze. His eyes were closed, and like that he looked incredibly peaceful. She could feel the hum around them, the serenity of the Song wrapping a child in the comfort of slumber. She stayed there, silent, basking in that warmth as the moments ticked past.

[Ithradine]

The moment that Voltaire had received his blessing he wanted to march into the dungeon right there and then. Amaterasu was pretty quick to remind him that he had neither a weapon or a guild advisor, both were fairly important to have before venturing into the dungeon. Besides the two facts, She expressed concern for his health and insisted that he rest for the night.

"Here. You can have Solome's bed. Make sure you get plenty of rest." The smile on the goddess's face was one he could not argue with, her voice filled with kindness "Alright, but tomorrow I can go to the dungeon?" He asked while lowering his body onto the bed "One step at a time my child. I'll see you once you wake up. There might even be another member of our familia waiting to greet you." With that said, she left him alone with a smile. Voltaire laid his head on the pillow, looking up at the ceiling. Now that the excitement had died down, he discovered that he far more tired than he thought. Within moments, the young adventurer was out cold in a heavy slumber.

His exhaustion had been so great that no dreams passed through his mind while he slept. Voltaire was so deeply in this sleep that he could not feel his body being examined and prodded nor the shift in the bed. It had honestly been the best sleep he had in a long time. Soon though, it was time to awake. His arms were the first indication he was waking up as they stretched up above his head. They soon returned as he rubbed the sleep from his silver-blue eyes so that he could open them fully. The sight of Koph looming over him caused him to nearly jump out of the bed. A shock running through his body as sat up in the bed now, his heart racing and chest tightening. Everything calmed down a little as he saw that it was girl, well an Amazon actually.

Fingers ran up his face and into his mess of hair, before looking over at the silent watcher "What a wake-up call..." Voltaire mumbled, the last thing he expected to wake up to was another person looking over him. Was this that other familia member Amaterasu-sama mentioned before? "Would you mind telling me who you are?" He asked plainly, she had certainly jump-started his body's wake up sequence.

[TaroAndSelia]

"No, I don't mind," she replied with a smile. She rocked back onto her heels and stood. One hand went to her waist, resting there and letting her fingers quietly tap. Her other hand, her dominant left hand, she extended in a formal greeting, thumb and pinky splayed and ready to grasp his forearm. "Koph. Like loaf, but not as edible. Child of Amaterasu-sama's familia, and now your partner."

What was that phrase Solome had used? "Squid poor grow. Who're you?"

[Ithradine]

Voltaire managed to relax as he swung his legs off the side of the bed and stood up. Now that they stood side by side, he found he was barely an inch higher maybe even less. He had pretty much fallen asleep in his normal clohtes, a light blue-gray t-shirt and black trousers but her outfit was far more exotic. He stared down at her hand after hearing her give her name and in turn ask for his. Not as edible? Squid poor grow? What a weird amazon she was. Silver-blue eyes met Koph's as sent out his own hand and gripped her forearm, well as least she wasn't that bad to look at "Voltaire Belemont, And it's 'Quid pro quo' I think." A half-smile curved on his lips, his voice near maturity but not quite there.

The half-smile soon faded as the part he bypassed came back to mind "Wait, partners?" Confusion gripped his expression. That was not something he expected to be told right out of the gate.

[TaroAndSelia]

Koph wasn't bothered in the slightest being told squid weren't a part of it; ideally that just meant squid grew well and would make good eating. Her fingers drummed twice across the inside of Voltaire's arm--she really couldn't stop it, even though she didn't want to disrespect their meeting--running in a line from pointer finger to ring finger, then back. "You're familia now, yes? Partners. We'll be exploring the Dungeon together. Fighting monsters, collecting crystals, gathering herbs if we're fast enough. Oh, and we make sure the other doesn't die. That would be bad, you dying," she finished, releasing his arm and pulling both hands behind her head. She laced her fingers together to make them behave; but her hips simply took over the task of counting the beat, swishing this way and that with small, rhythmic motions.

"So. Welcome to Amaterasu Familia, Voltair Belmot! Amaterasu-sama is ready to feed you when you're ready to eat. Come on, come on!" Koph was eager to lead the way out of the bedroom, though the front, and into the kitchen. A fifth chair had already been added around the table, already disproportionately large for the room, leaving just enough space to squirm around it and settle into a seat.

[Ithradine]

He quickly got the impression that Koph was kind of touchy. Personal space in the orphanage has been a luxury so it did not bother him, though he had his limits. A part of him was disappointed that he would not be be going alone into the dungeon. He had something to prove after all. Still, he would not object.

His eyes followed her hands, which he noticed to be constantly tapping. Was she that full of energy or was it a nervous habit? When her fingersstopped, her hips took their place and her attitude made him lean towards the former "Yeah dying is definitely not good." He lightly laughed.

He softly sighed "Its Vol-" he barely managed to say before Koph darted out of the bedroom "Ah nevermind." He lamented as he chased after her, leading finally to the kitchen which seemed a bit cramped. There Amaterasu-sama awaited them "Good morning Voltaire. I hope you are hungry." She stated with a pleased look in her eyes.

His eyes looked suspiciously at the food laid out on the table, not used to having some make food with him in mind "Yes, I'm starving in fact." A glad smile creased his lips as he sat down. He heard that familia were often like families, so this must be part of that.

[TaroAndSelia]

"Voltaire-kun, good morning. It sounds like you rested well," Solome greeted as he entered the kitchen himself.

Koph didn't stop to acknowledge his entrance. She was eager to explain everything to her new kouhai--that and to eat. "Evenings, everyone is busy; so we have breakfast together. Before we delve and Amaterasu-sama heads to her kitchen."

"Now, Koph-chan, slow down with your explanations," Solome chided as he took his own seat. "Voltaire-kun, when you find yourself with questions, you can come to me and ask. As for what Koph is saying, Amaterasu-sama has always ensured the familia has a meal together every day. In the past, it was dinners; but with how everyone's schedules are, we've found breakfast is the best time now."

"Eat fast so we can go sooner," Koph added, her hands already gripping the edges of her wooden plate.

"But not until you've cleaned the kitchen," their goddess chimed in, giving the amazoness a very meaningful smile.

Koph nodded. Twice. Then rolled her shoulders. "Voltar-kun, dishes or table?"

[Ithradine]

Voltaire turned his attention immediately towards Solome, after all he was the one who brought Voltaire into this familia "Yes I did. Thank you for the bed." He spoke with gratitude and Solomesimply nodded in response, a wizened grin on his face.

There was hardly time for Voltaire to begin eating as Koph started to throw information at him. It came so quickly he barely caught any of it "Huh?" His mouth partly full with food. Thankfully Solome explained at a pace that wasn't mad. It was soothing to know that this breakfast was a sort of custom, and that Solome was willing to support him. Koph seemed like great company so far but it was a relief to have someone with their head on tighter.

Silver-blue eyes blinked as Koph eagerly demanded he speed through his breakfast, and it worked. He scarfed down what he had left, coughing a little on the last bite. "Alright, alright. I'm done." A single hand was used to wipe away a bit of food that got caught on the corner of his mouth.

Cleaning the kitchen was often a chore he had at the orphanage, so this little amount of work was nothing. The name however he wouldn't so easily accept "Its 'Voltaire', not 'Voltar'." He corrected as he rose from his seat and collected the dishes from the table "And I'll get the dishes." His name was only possession give to him by his birth family, so he tended to cherish it.

[TaroAndSelia]

"Vol-tear. Vol-tear," Koph repeated under her breath as she quickly wiped down the table; then she wiped off the chairs and flipped them up onto the table, freeing up a little more space to move. Voltaire had finished the dishes just as swiftly. Koph rushed to the back room to push her nest into the corner (where Solome wouldn't run into it if he needed to come grab something) and collect her spear. It was a good weapon, one her mother had given to her when she departed the tribe. The entire length was made of steal, from the five-foot shaft to the eighteen inches of sharp blade. Standing next to her, it was close to a foot taller than Koph; the reach it gave her was wondrous for the dance.

With spear in hand, Koph was ready to head out the door. Amaterasu called to stop her before they could leave. "Remember Koph-chan, Voltaire-kun. I want you to do your best, to push yourselves and grow strong. But more than that, I want you to be safe and come home. Watch out for each other."

"Yes, Amaterasu-sama. We'll be back soon." Koph leaned her spear against the wall, then stepped into the waiting embrace of her goddess. She wrapped her arms around Amaterasu, returning the hug for a long, comfortable moment. She felt warm. The song was still, preserving a warm chord that resonated with the emotion she felt. The goddess truly was her melody.

[Ithradine]

Voltaire looked at Koph's with an envious look in his eyes. It was so well-crafted and its design complimented Koph well. He on the other hand had nothing so he would have to accept the guild's free hand-out that they gave to new adventurers, a basic armor chest-plate and a iron dagger.

He was ready to follow Koph out of the house when their goddess called them back, offering them wise words...that he took to heart. Voltaire found extra strength in knowing he was not only fighting for himself, but for the honor of his goddess. A hesitant look filled his features as Koph hugged Amaterasu....did he have to do that? He wasn't really the hugging type.

Voltaire walked back to his goddess with a determined grin "And will a bag full of Valis!" He exclaimed proudly. Amaterasu smiled softly as her arms reached out around his neck and pulled him close in a motherly embrace "I'm sure you will. I'll be waiting to hear all about your first trip into the dungeon, Voltaire-kun." A slight redness rose in his cheeks before he managed to escape and the duo headed out the door.

After a short walk, passing many other adventurers on the way, Koph and Voltaire arrived at the Guild Hall where many others were either trading in monster stones or speaking with the several Guild Advisors on staff. The moment they walked in, Koph's assigned adivsor, Mily Kot, waved to them with a bright smile on their face as they called out them "Oh it's mew, Koph-san!"

They were almost bouncing with energy, the blue-pink hetero-chromia giving a very distinct quality to their gaze "Mew is this? A mew adventurer-nya?" They leaned over the counter somewhat, a small grin on their lips while their eyes squinted suggestively.

This girl is a guild employee? Voltaire wondered as they stood at Mily's booth "U-uh yes. I'm a new member of the Amaterasu familia. My name is Voltaire Belemont." He stated, it was surprisingly intimidating to be talking to a cute girl.

Mily jumped back and bent down to retrieve something from underneath the counter, smiling brightly as they did so "Okay-nya. Mew need to sign these papers-nyah. I shall go get mew a set of the basic gear-nya." They said happily, placing small stack of papers onto the counter with a fancy pen. Mily then practically skipped father behind the counter-top to a back-room and disappeared. Voltaire tediously filled out the papers and by the time Mily came back, they were done "Here mew go!" A front breast-plate and an iron dagger were given to Voltaire as Mily took the papers "Looks like I will be taking care of both of mew!"

A concerned look that could be confused with a pout crossed their face "Are mew going together?" She asked in a rhetorical question "It's usually a good idea to do mew first day alone-nya." They closed their eyes and almost comically held their pointer finger up in the air next to their head "It is important that first-time adventurers understand the dangers of the dungeon-nya." Even this action, was done with an absurd about of enthusiasm.

[TaroAndSelia]

Koph leaned on her spear, waiting calmly but impatient on the inside. She was happy to see Mily; but she was even happier with the speed her advisor employed in setting Voltaire up for beginning his life as an adventurer. Mily always moved faster than the Song while at work. When they were finally ready, though, the advisor had to advise. It wasn't something Koph particularly liked to hear. "Mmm," was her simple response. "We're familia."

Koph lifted her spear and spun about, not even waiting for Voltaire to finish pulling on his new chest-piece.

Though the morning was young, the flow outside was already moving toward the Dungeon. Amid the errands being run, the shops being opened and visited, the many daily chores that kept a city running, there was undeniably a current pulling people toward the Dungeon. It was as though the Dungeon, too, was just waking, sucking in a deep breath that pulled all the adventurers into it. Koph's feet carried her into the current, her body melting into the flow, her heart longing to be swallowed by the Dungeon.

It was only with effort she stayed aware enough to make sure Voltaire was still with her, that she hadn't drifted too far ahead. It wasn't until they were standing in the grand plaza before the tower than another thought crossed her mind. She spun around to ask her new partner. "Volter-kun, is a dagger enough?"

[Ithradine]

Voltaire was struggling with one of the straps as Koph ran off "W-wait Koph-san!" Desperately he tried to keep up and finish putting the chest-plate on. Mily called out to them as they left the Guild Hall, raising their hand to their mouth "Keep safe, meow!" The voice trailing quickly off.

It wasn't until they hit the morning traffic of Orario that they finally managed to slow down some and he was able to finish equipping his beginner's armor. He was going to say something to Koph but instead he looked around in awe. This was the morning march to the dungeon that he'd watch every morning. Adventurers of all skill levels moving en-masse to the dungeon...and now he was a part of that. This was it, the moment he had been dreaming of for so long.

The tower seemed so much taller as they came into the grand plaza, his chest feeling lighter than a feather. It was only Koph's voice that snapped him back into reality. He took the dagger out from the leather sheathe, that he had strapped to his left arm, and looked it over before putting it back "It will have to do. I mean, gotta start somewhere right?" He was so excited he missed Koph calling him the wrong name. He walked passed her on the way to the dungeon's entrance, looking back "I got you watching my back. A dagger will be plenty." He smiled gently.

Voltaire would earn his first weapon himself, it was a simple matter of his pride as adventurer and a man. A picture of his dream weapon already floated in his mind. A sword that can shift into a long range whip, while wearing a claw-gauntlet on his other hand. It would be an expensive weapon to order, but it was a dream he could work towards. As he stood on top of the elevator-platform alongside Koph, He declared that his days of squalor were over. Today, everything would change for the better.

[TaroAndSelia]

Koph nodded. "Then we won't waste time. We'll start on Floor 3. Stay on your feet, not your heels." The amazoness strode forward, leading the way into Babel, down the stairs, and into the Dungeon.

The first floor was Koph's least favorite place. First they were greeted by Beginners' Road--a wide tunnel where nothing ever happened. Everything else was narrow, winding corridors lit in blue. There was enough space to maneuver, especially for a dagger, but she felt constricted trying to use her spear. The further down they moved, the larger the tunnels would be. Most adventurers would see that as more dangerous, as it left the monsters they fought more space to gather or attack from; but for Koph, she needed that space to dance.

Koph set their pace at a light jog, eager to move through these upper, narrow tunnels into the slightly more spacious caverns below. As they moved, she called over to her companion. "So. Questions? I have some. Only if you want to answer, though. Solome-dono told me I shouldn't pry like that. You want to go first?"

[Ithradine]

Voltaire let her take the lead, following with a intense look in his eyes. His grip on the dagger grew tighter as they moved into the dungeon, as did the tension is his shoulders. It would be a lie to say he wasn't at least a little nervous "Right." He responded quickly, adjusting his footing.

He was busy taking in the sight of the dungeon, his head turning towards Koph "What do you do if you get hurt?" That was not all, Koph said she had some questions for him too "Ask your questions and I will answer them if I want to." He thought that was fair, his past he didn't care about talking about.

[TaroAndSelia]

Koph spent a moment in silence pondering his query. "Lick it, I suppose. I have a potion in case something really bad happens, but my little injuries mend themselves slowly. For in-the-middle ones, I go to apprentice healers. Discounts since they're still learning." She thought a few moments more, then decided that was a good, complete answer. Solome would be proud of her, she was sure.

"Now you. Why? You're strong--not as strong as Falna, but stronger than most humans. Now you adventure. Why?"

[Ithradine]

He might have laughed at that first part if she didn't seem to be so honest about it "That's...helpful." She seemed liked she was proud of her answer. 'Licking it' didn't seem that helpful but luckily the rest of her information was normal. It meant that there was no one that would come to help them except for passing adventurers, but not all of them can be trusted not to just steal your stuff and run.

The questions turned back on him. He was about to mention he was not a human but he didn't care too much about that "It's this or nothing for me. I've put my heart and soul into training for the past four years. Being an adventurer is all I got." He answered plainly, little emotion flowing into his voice. It was not the whole reason. He wanted to better. Stronger. Wiser. Wealthier. Everything he didn't have yet.

[TaroAndSelia]

Koph spent some minutes thinking about that answer. The pair descended a floor--still lit by the same blue light, though the tunnels were a little wider now--and continued in silence. It wasn't until then that Koph began wondering if he didn't have any more questions, or if he just didn't realize it was his turn to ask again. Maybe she should just ask again? She had plenty more questions.

"Why Amaterasu-sama? Was there no-"

The walls on either side of them crumbled, a pack of kobolds emerging from the holes.

Koph cut her words short and used her momentum to jump a little further ahead. With them all behind her, she spun back and lunged at the nearest with a quick spear thrust. The kobold jumped away, but the spear's reach was such that it still took a gash on its thigh. The two behind rushed forward. Koph drew her spear back, then thrust with two rapid, short strokes to keep the monsters at bay for a moment more.

The Song was thrumming.

[Ithradine]

Voltaire was distracted by Koph's question so he wasn't prepared for the monsters to come out of the goddamn walls. It just so happened that they nearly fell on top of him, cutting him off from Koph. Suddenly his heart felt like to was going to beat out of his chest.

They seemed to mostly chase after Koph, who seemed to have left him behind. 'So much for working together..' he thought as he slide the dagger out of the fore-arm sheathe. A few of the kobolds decided he was a better target and rushed after him. Voltaire thought of all the scraps he got into as a kid. Immobilizing your attacker usually was the best first step.

With his forward-grip on the dagger, he braced himself for contact with the first kobold. It came faster than he thought with claws aiming for his throat. He pushed off his right foot to give him momentum, bending his knees to avoid the sharp claws as they flew past the top of his head. Forcing the dagger upwards, he felt it sink into the kobold's chest. It was followed up by him stabbing it twice in rapid succession before dashing backwards and running to escape the two others.

[TaroAndSelia]

Koph was backing one step at a time, the kobolds advancing warily as a group. She kept her strokes steady, but she could feel the music building in intensity. Her steps grew shorter; the kobolds' did not. As the movement reached its peak, Koph lunged forward with her thrust. The kobold on her right couldn't react quickly enough and the spear's tip drove through its chest. Pulling back just as suddenly, Koph spun away from the remaining two. Seeing the opening, both attacked; though the center one, with its thigh still injured, ran while its companion leaped.

This proved its salvation, at least for the moment. Its companion found the but of Koph's spear shooting backward, meeting its skull as it descended on its prey. The beast's head snapped back and it fell, lifeless, to the ground. The remaining kobold staggered backward in surprise, just in time to avoid the speartip as Koph spun around again, resetting her stance.

She glanced back to her companion. He seemed fine; he'd already dealt with one of the kobolds, the other two weren't near enough to attack. He was a bit further up the hall, too--somewhat behind and beside her remaining opponent. "Switch!" she called at him.

[Ithradine]

Voltaire kept his distance, looking for the moment when a opening would appear. The numbers were not in his favor because as one opening would appear, it would be blocked by another kobold's proximity. A dagger was hardly a weapon to deal with large numbers, though one-on-one it would be fine. He began to get frustrated with the situation when he heard Koph's voice yell out "Switch!" forcing his attention towards her for the first time since the fight began.

'Switch?!? What the hell is she..Oh I see' He realized looking at the single opponent left on her side.

He steeled himself as he pivoted on his right foot, gravel crunching under his boot, as he shot towards the two kobolds chasing him. They both swung their claws to strike him level with his chest. Not having much time to think, he pushed as hard as he could off his back foot and lurched forward, dropping his body into a slide. Dust kicked up as he slid underneath the kobolds' strikes, managing to cut the ankle of one before he lifted himself back into a run towards Koph's kobold.

"Those two are all yours!" He called out as he clashed with the monster, barely parrying its first strike with his dagger before using a jumping kick to knock it back some feet. His grip on the dagger flipped as he held up both hands, a style he more so observed than practiced. His steps were rigid, his muscles tight with the fears and excitement of his first battle with the monsters of the dungeon. His grip on the dagger was stronger than death itself as he lunged forwards to meet his foe.

Razor-like claws came at him like a flurry of blades that all he could do for the first steps of this dance was dodge. Unable to hit him, the creature seemed to get enraged. Instead of its normal swings it thrusted forward with its claws, a chance Voltaire had been waiting for. He side-stepped to the left, although not entirely in time. A slight burning sensation erupted on his right cheek, but it was over for the beast. His free hand grabbed ahold of the striking arm and with a swift leg sweep, he landed the kobold on the ground. Once there, he twisted the arm of the kobold and locked it up before planting the blade of the dagger between its shoulders. His efforts were rewarded with the kobold disappearing into nothing but black ash and a single stone.