"Talking"

  'Thoughts'

  *Sound Effects*

  "Yes."

  -The scan on your iris and vein has determined that you are an unregistered user. Do you want to create a new account?

  “Yes, please.”

  -Select the name of your Avatar

  'I'm here because of Jessie and Sam, I'm with them because of their daughter Julia... and the name she gave me... her name... I guess it wouldn't feel right to be called by anything else'

  "I would like to be called Hope"

  -Select your gender from male, female or neutral

  "Female"

  -Royal Road has forty-nine races. You may select your race from the primary twenty-nine races that are currently available.

  ‘Twenty-nine?’ Nadia thought. "May I see them?"

  A line of humanoid races appeared before her. Each model had the general appearance of what she would look like as that race with small description of the race’s features.

  "May I see the Initial status of a wood elf?"

  "You're certainly polite aren't you?" answered a warm feminine voice

  As Nadia was slightly shocked to be speaking to someone suddenly it took her a few seconds to respond "My mentor taught me to be polite in most situations" Nadia answered

  "Well you had a wise mentor, now then here's the information that you asked to view."

  'I do plan to do a great deal of traveling so maybe it would be best to have a race and class that does well with nature... but the appearance is a little off.'

  "Excuse me, Miss, I like how wood elf sounds but the appearance is bothering me a little am I allowed to change it any?"

  "Yes you may, that's actually the next step of the process after choosing a race." she chuckled a bit.

  "Thank goodness, is it possible for you to make the appearance more like myself... less of the elven traits and more like my actual body?"

  "If I do that you would likely suffer some level of discrimination as a half elf on top of what comes with being an elf is that ok?"

  "Yes, that's fine"

  "Just a moment... there I've changed the appearance to how you would look as a human for the most part, however there are some key features that need to remain"

  Now standing before Nadia was her own 5"2 powerful yet lithe frame, (a result of the demanding lifestyle she lived till now) black shoulder length hair, semi-light naturally tanned skin, with kind aquamarine eyes that had a slightly reversed slant with a rare amber crown discoloration. The only new things were her slightly pointed ears and more youthful complexion... but there was still one problem.

  "... would it be too much trouble to remove the scars?"

  "That shouldn't be a problem just a moment... oh wow... that's... I'm sorry I don't know what to say."

  "Is it too much?"

  "No dear the scars are gone... it was just a bit shocking is all"

  "I don't like drawing much attention to myself so..."

  The voice laughed a bit "That's certainly not the reason I would have expected, most women would say its because of their looks you know?"

  After thinking for a moment Nadia answered "Well I've never really cared for appearances, the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover" is a very good one"

  "It sounds like there's a story in there somewhere.."

  "Not one either of us would enjoy... suffice to say It's difficult to ever really get to know who someone truly is, trust isn't something I give anymore it's something to be earned."

  Turning that over in her mind for a few moments the voice answered "I see, that does seem to be a valid approach... mind if I ask why your joining Royal Road?"

  "My mentor's parents decided that this would be good for me, also a good way to lure me home I suppose... It also sounds like a chance to explore places where few people have ever been. I do love to explore uncharted lands after all, that's actually how I've been making my living as a guide and cartographer for exotic or unexplored locations."

  "It sounds like you'll love it here in Royal Road, Hope. Now then back to business are you happy with the appearance as is?"

  "Yes"

  -Your account has been created. Your stats and class shall be determined while you are playing Royal Road.

  -Select a city and Kingdom where you want to start.

  "I'd like to start in a city where I can learn skills that would aid me in a journey alone through mountains and forests, any suggestions?"

  "The City of Restia in the Aidern Kingdom near Fort Odin has a good variety of proficient craftsmen as well as combat class guilds. Also, its somewhere I believe you would enjoy being since its one of the less populated cities bordering on the wilderness."

  "That sounds great, thank you for all the help Miss. I really am already enjoying this a great deal more than I thought I would."

  "Have a wonderful journey, Hope."

  -Welcome to Royal Road.

  A blinding light flashed and disappeared. She could now see the world around her. Hope looked on in wonder as she could see a world of lush plains and various wildlife right out of the gate. Without the slightest hesitation she began to walk forward and out the gate. A large halberd blocked her path with a sudden downward movement.

  "Sorry freedman, orders are that none of you are to pass the gate for the first four weeks after your arrival, it's just too dangerous." the guard said apologetically

  "Not even just to get a better look?" Hope retorted

  "Not even." the guard said adamantly

  Hope took a moment to size up the guard standing in her way. Human, strong build, obviously a trained knight... 'guess I better not try to juke him and run out the gate' She then noticed the large tower attached to the corner of the gate atop the city walls. As she began to walk toward the door to the tower the guard called out again.

  "Civilians may not enter the tower without reason or permission!"

  Hope looked back at the man a little upset with crestfallen eyes.

  *Ba-bump* the guard Eugene all of a sudden said "Well I suppose you do have a reason though... and as long you've got an escort to keep you out of trouble it should be ok." he walked towards the tower entrance ahead of hope "Shall we Milady?"

  *ding*

  *ding*

  -You have lured a guardsman away from his post.

  Hope looked at the message a little confused but then realized what had happened after seeing the guards slightly embarrassed face. "Thank you Sir Knight, my name is Hope and I've come to enjoy the many wonders of your world."

  "The names Eugene, Lady Hope. I'm certain that you'll find no view in Restia more wondrous than the one that awaits atop one of our towers." Eugene said confidently with pride.

  *ding*

  After passing through the doorway and looking up Hope could see that the tower was sectioned off in a series of floors rather than an endless stairway. "What will I be able to see from the top exactly?"

  "I'm sorry Hope, I am but a humble knight and know not what parts of the local geography would interest a person such as yourself. Suffice to say that I believe you will not find the city of Restia's surroundings lacking of adventure."

  As they continued to climb the stairs Hope began to feel fatigued. 'Well that's rather uncanny, not used to being tired out from such a small amount of effort' Hope began to mull over how much work she would have to do in order to bring her new body up to par with her physical body.

  Only a few minutes had passed before they reached the towers highest level.

  *ding*

  -You have been awarded bonus attributes for this feat.

  Ignoring the system messages Hope gazed out across the horizon to the north where massive grey mountains lined the border of a forest to the northwest. While to the south spanning from the east end of the horizon to the west there were many rivers going through vast open plains with small structures lined about various lengths of the rivers. Looking lower she began to observe Restia itself, a decent size city near the southeast border of the forest. There were many buildings clustered together all around a very large structure in the center of the city, obviously a Castle owned by the local lord. Those buildings seemed to be what made up the residential district of the town. Turning her focus to the outer edges of the city there were many different things such as large stand alone buildings, most likely guilds. Markets lined the streets in between the larger ones. Fountains lined the streets as well mostly near the gates that exit Restia. Finally, a large park not far from the tower abundant with trees and foliage.

  *ding*

  'Nice'

  "Is the view to your liking?" Eugene asked

  'Considering I now have my bearings, and a very useful skill. I really should thank him...' she thought

  "It's incredible Eugene, thank you for allowing me to see this. I know you didn't have to." she said while smiling at the Knight

  *ding*

  "I may not have to but I do enjoy treating the citizens of Restia kindly on occasion." he said with a straight face

  "I'm sure it has nothing to do with my eyes, you really should try not to stare so much Eugene."

  "It is a knights duty to watch over his citizens"

  Hope took one look at Eugene then doubled over against the towers stone guarding while laughing helplessly.

  Seeing Hope reduced to her current state Eugene asked "How do you plan to spend these four weeks in Restia?"

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "I figure I'll try to pick up and develop skills that tend to be useful for trekking across Versailles alone."

  "Well then you'd be most suited for working towards the ranger profession, skilled and agile bunch they are. We've had cause to work together many times and never has a ranger trained at fort farthest failed to impress"

  "Fort? Outside the city walls?"

  "Yes to the northwest in the forest, during your stay here at Restia I suggest learning ranger skills and preparing for the journey to the fort... well its more of an outpost actually."

  "Why is it called a fort then?"

  "Because it sounds better than Outpost Farthest." he chuckled

  "... right, so what skills would a ranger work on?"

  "Well for now in the city you can learn archery and carving at the archery training hall, the master there will teach you to fletch and carve your own arrows as long as you ask. Also, if you plan to journey alone I suggest you pick up an array of crafting skills such as blacksmithing, tailoring, and cooking. To attain blacksmithing you'll need to get that stubborn dwarf Duran to teach you, which won't be very easy considering your a half elf. As for cooking and tailoring you won't be able to get those till you get the handicraft skill proficient enough." he explained

  "How do I get handicraft?" she asked

  "You should get it as you carve and take actions that require a bit of finesse."

  "Thank you for all of your help Eugene, also I'm a full elf." she grinned

  "I meant no offense Milady." he apologized

  'May as well milk this for all it's worth...'

  "None taken, I just wanted you to know for some reason..." she said timidly

  *Ba-bump* "It was my sincere pleasure to escort you, Lady Hope."

  *ding*

  "Oh one more thing before we depart Milady, please allow me to write you a letter of introduction to the man who runs the archery training hall he's an old friend from his days as a guardsman."

  *ding*

  "I would be incredibly grateful Eugene, thank you once again."

  "I see that you haven't got a bag yet to hold your belongings, would you like one of mine? We can stop by the barracks on one of the tower's mid-level floors for it."

  Hope gave Eugene a look of feigned shock "Trying to lure a new traveler into your barracks Eugene? How bold!"

  *Ba-bump* Eugene at a loss for words and blushing with embarrassment began to panic.

  *ding*

  "Please calm down Eugene I was only joking." she said feeling a bit guilty

  "ahh... I see... forgive me for my misconduct Milady it shall not happen again."

  Hope gave him a sidelong glance as she turned towards the stairs then said in a disappointing voice "That's a shame."

  *Ba-bump*

  *ding*

  Utterly shocked Eugene could only stare at Hope as she began to descend the tower. Regaining his senses he quickly moved to follow her. A few minutes later they were standing outside the barracks.

  "Here it is, the old thing I hope you get some good use out of it like I have."

  -You have received a Medium Enchanted Traveling Pack

  "Eugene.... this is a second hand item?"

  "It's from my younger days as a traveler, I wasn't always a knight mind you. Restia may be the land I call home but I was once a half decent merchant in Yar Dalok."

  "Oh, what made you become a knight and settle here?"

  Eugene blushed and looked away quickly.

  'Don't laugh don't laugh don't laugh don't laugh' calming herself down a bit Hope began to speak "Women troubles Eugene?"

  Eugene fell to his knees and looked up at hope "That obvious?"

  "I'm not the most attractive woman and here you are giving me a treasure for nothing, it's a little obvious my friend."

  "Don't sell yourself short Hope, certainly your a little different from the more slender of your kind and the more royal of our kind but you've got an air about you that makes you seem... real. Not to mention the fact that you are beautiful in and of itself."

  Hope turned that over in her mind for a minute then said "Are you just flattering me Eugene?"

  "No" he said immediately

  "Well this might be a problem, I always assumed I wasn't good looking because... for certain reasons nobody would give me a second look in my world."

  "Reasons?"

  "I lived in the forests and mountains, usually I was a mess." she said

  "Well that sounds like a good way to build character to me."

  "I just don't like drawing attention to myself, I'm fine with talking to the people of your world but if people from my world start to approach me..."

  "If I may Hope?"

  "Yes?"

  "The only reason I can tell people from your world apart from the people of Versailles is because of the way you act, perhaps you could pretend you're one of us to fool your fellow freedmen?"

  "Brilliant!" Hope leaned down to the still kneeling knight and pecked him on the cheek while smiling "Thank you Eugene, if I didn't know any better I'd think you weren't a knight at all."

  *ding*

  "Well I was a merchant... old habits and all" Eugene claimed while smiling back at her

  "Goodbye my friend, thank you for all the help!" she said starting down the stairs

  'So if I want to ignore someone pretend I'm an npc... that might be a bit difficult.'

  Eugene watched Hope quickly descend the tower with one hand held to his cheek.

  *Thwack*

  "Ouch!"

  The other knights were staring holes in Eugene while the captain said "Back to work Restia isn't gonna guard itself."

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Hope walked to the nearby fountain and sat down to examine her items and get a better understanding of her Virtual character. Thinking back to all the information from the manual she began to examine her items.

  ~10 pieces of rye bread

  ~one empty canteen

  ~recommendation letter

  ~the new back pack

  ~and a ring

  After examining the unidentified ring and only coming up with a whole lot of ??? hope got even more curious.

  'That shouldn't be there maybe observation will help'

  Hope held the ring up in the light and began to flip it between her fingers as she examined every spec of it.

  *ding*

  "Identify"

  *ding*

  -Item Identification has leveled up to Beginner 3

  "Show skill window Item Identification."

  After looking at the progress to her new skill she looked at the ring.

  'So she was a goddess, that was awfully nice of her.'

  "Show passive skill window Observation."

  "Show avatar status window, Hope."

  'Guess I'll head through the park on my way to the archery hall.'

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  I now have a new found respect for the other fan fiction authors... that was fun up till I had to read it five times and work on coding hahahahaaa

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