Page 31 of Love in Development

Chapter 9

The second semesterof my senior year had begun a week ago.

The entire group was meeting up to take on the next hidden boss from theShadows of Forgotten Lordsquest.IK had figured out the next couplet.But we were playing the getting-to-know-you game while we waited for him to show.IK was never late, but VA and SI didn’t seem worried.We were already using voice-to-text, in preparation for the fighting.

VerdantArcher: That armor’s sweet looking.What is it?

I almost thought he was talking about my ever-present denim jacket, which I wore even inside to fight off the winter chill.I glanced around DragonByte.Everyone else was also dressed in various layers; scarves and even knit caps dotted the clientele.Though today was one of my rare days off, I’d decided to play on computer 27 instead of 12 upstairs in case Buzz needed some extra help.He was a bit short staffed, today.

With football season finally over, there were no more practices to watch.Charisse was between plays, and I could always use the extra money.Customers were yelling back and forth at each other and asking for food, drink, and computer help from the busy staff.I looked back at the screen and VA’s message.

ScarlettSaber: It’s blood armor.Whenever someone melee hits me, it extracts a blood price from them.It also gives stat boosts to my blood sword, increasing the amount of damage it does and the percentage of my life that damage refills.

VerdantArcher: Wicked.I’ve got two pieces missing still before I complete my protector of the forest set.The silent shoes and the camouflage cloak both give me surprise benefits.

ShadowImp: My hard to see you set is almost complete.I just need the dagger, but it’s the hardest piece to find.

ScarlettSaber: I’m missing the blood moon.It’s a bloodstone ring that would increase my damage.Question.How did you do a mind splice if you’re a rogue?

ShadowImp: I have a special crown that allows me to read mind splice scrolls.So, I carry a few around for surprises because nobody expects a rogue to be able to do mind splice.It works like a charm.

ScarlettSaber: What armor does ivory knight have?

A scream from across the room penetrated my headset and made me jump.It must have been a good scream because I only saw happy players.

VerdantArcher: He’s got the cavalier dragon armor.That stuff is insanely good.It’s a step up from our rare sets.

ScarlettSaber: Is his complete?

ShadowImp: Nope.He’s missing the dragon’s eye, an opal amulet that increases his reaction time.When he gets the eye, he won’t ever be surprised.

Buzz himself called out some pizza orders.If IK didn’t show soon, I was going to force Buzz to accept my help.

ScarlettSaber: Where is he?What’s taking so long?

VerdantArcher: He’s finishing up a homework assignment.

ScarlettSaber: Do you know him?I r l?

ShadowImp: Yeah, we all know each other.We’re planning on being roommates in college.

So, unless they were all bio-girls pretending to be guys, or a bunch of weirdos pretending to be high schoolers, he had told the truth.It wasn’t like I had ever questioned anything he told me, but I was naturally cautious.And maybe a little curious.IvoryKnight in all his glowing blue glory finally appeared at the spawn point.

VerdantArcher: There you are.ScarlettSaber was getting antsy.

ScarlettSaber: Was not.