THE MOMENT
"So where are you from, young man?" The old farmer made polite conversation with the stranger. He'd been hard at work plowing the field when the youngster approached with a smile. It was still early, with the sun not quite free of the horizon; but, as a farmer, Collin was already feeling like he'd been plowing for years. It was nice to get a little distraction in the form of pleasantries.
"To the East, by the forest," Sprocket answered. The farmer took on a stern, almost sour expression as he met Sprocket's eyes.
"That's a poor joke, lad. There are no buildings there, only a cave. They say a powerful dragon sleeps soundly in there, and would raze the world should anyone accidentally wake it. Reduce it to ash, they say."
"Oh.. no thanks," Sprocket shook his head. "I'm not gonna try a dragon by myself...," he continued working through his thoughts as he slid his fingers across the translucent glass Slate hovering in front of him.
"Good Morning," he smiled and waved at the farmer again.
"Ah, hello, good morning to you," the farmer smiled. He was happy to have some conversation, as long as it didn't take up too much of his time.
"I'm new to the area, and just wanted to meet some of my neighbors," Sprocket replied.
"Ah, welcome! Most of this land is my farm; but, the village proper is just there to the West," he pointed across the golden wheat field. "So, where are you from, young man?" The farmer asked.
"To the South, by the river..," Sprocket gave his answer. This time, the farmer visibly recoiled. He took an uneasy step back, but kept his eyes focused on Sprocket.
"That's a disturbing joke, lad," he qualified the quest and it was enough for Sprocket to drop it then and there. He slid his finger across his Slate again to rewind time once again. A 'poor' joke meant he was a poor match for the challenge. A 'disturbing' joke meant he wasn't even a match; the challenge was beyond him enough that others would find it concerning if he faced it alone.
"Good Morning," Sprocket didn't feel like smiling on the third attempt and simply engaged the farmer.
"Ah, welcome! Most of this land is my farm; but, the village proper is just there to the West," he pointed across the golden wheat field. "So, where are you from, young man?" The farmer asked.
"To the North, by the sea," Sprocket answered.
"Hah!" the farmer's face lit up with a broad grin. "That's a good joke, lad. The only building there is that old cottage. They say some heroine gave birth to an illegitimate heir there and kills any man or beast what walks within a mile of the place. Killed the king's army they say."
"They say that?" Sprocket smiled. "I'd like to see this old cottage for myself," he replied.
"Don't do anything too reckless, young man," the farmer smiled with an encouraging nod, and the accepted quest appeared in Sprocket's vision.
"Good Morning," Sprocket was about to turn away when a feminine voice startled him. He turned to see Lupe, another student, addressing the farmer. She was polite enough to give Sprocket a nod of acknowledgment once he saw her; but, they'd never spoken, nor did they have any classes together.
"Ah, hello, good morning to you," the farmer smiled at Lupe the exact same way he smiled at Sprocket.
"I'm from the South, by the river," Lupe said it instantly and Sprocket chuckled to himself. He considered the interaction short enough that he didn't even think of skipping those few lines. But, the farmer's answer surprised him. Lupe was a SwordMage like him, and she should be getting the same quests. As soon as she realized it was out of her league, he would offer to reset the interaction for her. Except, it wasn't.
"Hah! That's a good joke, miss," The farmer laughed. "The only thing there is an old battlefield. They say deadly wraiths haunt the battlefield, and attack any living thing as an enemy. The king's fallen army, they're called."
"I'd like to see this old battlefield for myself," Lupe replied.
"Don't do anything too reckless, young miss," The farmer smiled.
"Good luck," Lupe nodded at Sprocket, then turned to walk to the South. He realized he was staring in utter surprise. Did that mean she was stronger than him?
"You too!" he managed to wave and wish her luck before she got too far, and she acknowledged it without turning around. "I should get to know her more," he decided with a smile, then he turned toward the North and began walking.