Between Sixth and Broadway

Sighing, the Weapon-based class visibly deflated. He put on a somber smile for the female Guardian. "Please forgive me, Mjol," Cliff started. "But these are strange and dangerous times. How do we know such a thing is genuine if you withhold so much from us?"

The emotion displayed, while a tad embellished, was genuine. It'd been some time since he'd just talked to another player, to have the company of someone in a similar situation.

Mjol blinked. "I guess ya've got a point there. Well, I still can't ya'll come through yet, but how's 'bout this fer a peace offerin'?"

She reached behind her shield and pulled out a small parcel wrapped in brown packaging paper.

Roy looked at the others, then back at the small package, then back at the others again. He thinks that the package is innocent enough and extends his hand to take it.

"It looks harmless. Certainly can't hurt me in town, I know that much."

"Thank you, Mjol." Cliff opened his Dazaneg's Magic Bag and withdrew a pouch, the clinking of coins helping break the silence. Carefully, he counted fifty gold pieces. "Unfortunately, it's not much, but I want you to know I appreciate what you're doing. Your group doesn't have to look out for the poor or guild-less." He tied the pouch back up, placed it back in the bag and held the money forward, towards her.

"Ahh... that's mighty kind of ya, Cliff. Nice ta see some real good will around here, too."

Mjol pushed the offering of gold back. "But I can't do that. We're da charity case, after all."

She let out a boisterous laugh, the sound ringing deep. "But enough of that, who wants some chow?"

Peeling back the paper, she reached in and pulled out strips of dried meat.

Roy is surprised that there was actual food in front of him and quickly takes a piece. He chews on it just so his body stops asking him.

Cliff lowered his head and offered the money again, more firmly this time. "I'm afraid I can't do that, either. I demanded proof that you were not required to provide, and this is not related to the charity. Your rejection of payment is not only unnecessary, it is insulting to me. I insist."

He was aware how nonsensical the matter was. That didn't stop it from mattering to him. Never leave a debt unpaid, he thought. The generosity of this knight and their host would also be returned, once he found the opportunity and means.

Returning to a lighter note, the Bard beamed at Mjol and took a second piece of meat, nodding his thanks as he bit down.

"Ehehe, if ya insist..."

The she-dwarf pocketed the gold away and helped herself to a strip.

"Now that that's been cleared up, I'm still open to questions if ya got 'em."

A hero? That was his thoughts when he sees Cliff offer the money again. But he doesn't care, he chewed on the meat until he would be chewing on its sinew.

"Now then, how much longer will these people and I have to wait?"

He looks at the bard once more. "Your bag reminds me of a Courier's. Good to see people who still do mission for the Landers."

"It's nothing special, just a couple of trinkets and some stickers attached to a standard Magic Bag." He continued to nibble down on the bland, tasteless food. Too bad it didn't even maintain its texture. "No more questions, Mjol."

"Hit tha' nail right on its head." Mjol nodded. "Sorry, but you're gonna need one more ta get in."

Cliff finished his jerky strip, and tapped the stout woman on the shoulder. "I apologize, a few more things. Are we leaving the city once the time comes?" He looked around, scanning up and down Sixth Avenue for other people moving in their direction. None yet.

"We're still gonna be in this server, if that's what chur askin'". Mjol replied. "Shouldn't be too long now, someone should be comin' on down soon enough."

She glared at the jerky in her hands with distaste. "Wish I could I offer you somethin' better than these cardboard cutouts. Awful things, they are."

He shook his head. "The food was fine, and I meant the city zone. As in, we'll be entering a possible PvP area."

"Gosh, I hope not." She scoffed. "At most, we've had some scuffles, but nothin' got out of hand. Mostly over fightin' for more portions, greedy little fellas."

The dwarf laughed, loud and with gusto. "Still should be plenty fer y'all though."

"The only problem now is actually getting that 6th member. It's like a vacant lot out here."

With that said he reaches for another piece of jerky and begins chewing on that. His face stern and a tad angry.

"Since we're waiting, why don't we get to know one another a little better? A contingency plan is better than no plan." Cliff spoke, looking between the party-to-be. He waved his hand, displaying his HUD information once more. "I'm Cliff, a Bard. I use the Virtuoso build, prioritizing in weakening enemies and maintaining a front line. I only have a single healing skill, so try not to get banged up too bad and I'll be able to fix you in a jiffy once the danger passes."

He neglected to tell the party about his combat experience, or lack thereof, since the expansion. There'd be time to test later, and Mjol seemed certain of the situation. No need to worry about it just yet.

"Suppose that's fair," Mjol nodded approvingly at the suggestion.

"Name's Mjol," her HUD display reappearing. "Guardian, of tha' Fortress variety. I make sure y'all don't get focused an' take tha' brunt of tha' attention. If ya need a frontline, I'm your gal."

"An' don't be afraid if ya need a pointer or two." She turned to the budding Summoner. "I may not be a mage, but I kno' 'nuff about 'em."

"Alright then." He huffed.

"I'm Royoko, and I run with the Scarlet Knight build. Sure my defenses aren't there as large as the dwarf over here, but I can regenerate and lifesteal my health fast enough to make up for that. By putting me in the front, you'll have to worry less about having a healer healing me as long as my opponents aren't ranged."

He looks at the necromancer. "How long does that Lander stay by you?"