IRL Console

It was a cold case. No evidence of any criminal behaviour or even anything suspicious. It really was as if he simply just ceased existing on earth. Pete had no way of knowing that that was, in fact, exactly what had happened.

Pete now almost habitually took long walks around the city on his time off from work. He hoped to maybe spot his friend chilling with the homeless somewhere. After all, Dave had once joked about how running off and becoming homeless might be better than having to deal with Roberta one more time.

At this point, Pete really had no better ideas. A stifling feeling of just wanting to break stuff was constantly playing on his mind. Worst of all, he"d find himself snapping at Steph, who was trying her best to be supportive.

Pete swore to himself that he"d give his buddy a solid punch on both the face and the nuts when he saw him. Then they"d go out for drinks, sing songs, and set the world to rights with their conversations.

"Buddy, where the f.u.c.k did you go? Who will I plan for the zombie apocalypse with now? Who"ll save me from the brainf.u.c.k that is: conversation with Will? That guy is becoming even more of a creepy reptile lover lately by the way... If he asks me to fondle his snake one more time I"m going to freak out! Seriously though, man, where"d you go?? I need my bro!"

Pete occasionally talked to Dave in the hopes that he had ascended to G.o.dhood and had the ability to reply.

To Dave, this was something he would never see for himself as he would be reloading his old save when he returned to earth. He never would have gone missing and would just rock up to work the next day as usual.

What happens to this presently mourning Pete? Is he simply overwritten when Dave reloads? Or, does he continue existing in a separate, Daveless, alternate reality?

*************

As Ma Sa followed his teacher to the workshop of Forgemaster Su, he suddenly was struck by a longing for his old life in Toronto. Mainly it was a desire to hang out with Pete and Jaime but, weirdly, even a bit of time with that creep, Will, would be welcomed.

It"s not like he disliked the Qian continent. In fact, he could honestly say that, from what he had experienced and learned about the Qian continent, he loved it here! It was just that since he"d been here he had mainly interacted with Old Guan - a mentor, and, though only twice, Ye Zhen - a potential friend/mentor. All he"d done since his arrival was to study and, recently, train his cultivation.

He really missed his friends from Toronto! He spent the entirety of the journey reminiscing about the good times they had all shared; even the awkward but hilarious time where he"d drunkenly motorboated Robyn"s ample cleavage and begged her to set him up with her sister...

***********

Ma Sa was snapped out of his reverie by the hand of Old Guan which grabbed his shoulder.

"Look! We"re here! Forgemaster Su is famed not only here in Tianzhu but even in the capital." Old Guan gestured to the sprawling workshop complex before them and awaited Ma Sa"s expression of awe.

"Mn." Ma Sa simply nodded. "It certainly is a fine workshop."

Old Guan couldn"t help but feel disappointed in his heart. He was sure that Ma Sa would be blown away by the scale of the most famous artisan workshop in the land. Sadly for him, Ma Sa had already seen it multiple times before. Indeed, his reaction from the first time was exactly what Old Guan was hoping to see.

"Ah... Well, come on then. Let"s hurry inside to meet Forgemaster Su. The Forgemaster has very kindly agreed to a.s.sess your apt.i.tude for smithing this afternoon. If you can make a good impression you might be able to learn from the Forgemaster directly!"

Old Guan led Ma Sa inside the workshop and showed a token to the a.s.sistant behind the desk. After waiting a moment, they were then led to a secluded courtyard towards the centre of the compound. When they arrived there, they were asked to be seated on some cushions under the gazebo. Ma Sa and Old Guan sat in silence as they admired the picturesque garden. A short while later, a small and extremely pretty girl of around seven or eight years of age approached them with a tea tray.

"Greetings, honoured guests. This little one is Su Ya. Grandfather will be with you shortly. Allow me to prepare some tea for you in the meantime."

Su Ya"s words were warm but her facial expression had barely a hint of emotion. What little there was appeared as she looked at Ma Sa. Ma Sa was extremely sensitive to the look of disgust as he saw it in himself everytime he had looked in the mirror before the console changed his life. Now, he was seeing it again in an unlikely place. It made him rather curious. What could possibly draw the disgust of a mere child?

"Thank you very much young miss Su. It is a great honour for teacher and I to be served tea by you personally."

Ma Sa decided not to refuse her service as she must have been sent by her grandfather. It would not do to appear unappreciative of the Forgemaster"s consideration.

Su Ya proceeded to perform a meticulous ceremonial tea service for the pair. Another cup was set aside, presumably for Su Won.

Ma Sa never was a tea drinker when he was Dave. He didn"t like hot drinks and would often have to leave his drink to cool for a long time when he was pressured into the ritual. He knew quite a few Irish people in Toronto and all of them guzzled tea like it was water in the desert. On this occasion, he had no excuse to delay and just prepared himself for the inevitable tongue scalding.

Just as he brought the tea to his lips he remembered that he had the broken cultivation method of Nine Dragons Void Siphon. What better is for it was there?? As Ma Sa drove his cultivation, the tea rapidly cooled in his hands. Before it touched his lips it was already iced tea. Its taste was extremely pleasant and refreshing actually!

"Hmm... Fine tea! The young miss truly has superb skills. You have my greatest respect." Ma Sa have a bit of flattery to see how she would take it. He was only met with even more disgust. He wondered who exactly she thought he was for her to have such a strong negative response to his existence.

"Ah! Guan Yuang Fei! Welcome! I see you have met my darling granddaughter. Little Yu, I trust you"ve treated or guests well?"

Receiving a nod in a.s.sent from his granddaughter, Su Won turned his gaze back to his guests. Before Old Guan could speak, Ma Sa jumped in with a self introduction. If he left his teacher speak first who knew what he was going to be in for? Like in the meeting with Ye Zhu, Old Guan obviously had ideas of his own. It was safer for Ma Sa to hijack the conversation a little in the beginning in order to raise the Forgemaster"s impression of him personally.

"Greetings, Forgemaster Su. This little one is called Ma Sa. My teacher greatly wished for me to make your acquaintance and it is my great honour that you agreed to meet with us."

Ma Sa gave a deep bow and clasped his hands to show respect.

"Buahaha! Guan Yuang Fei, you"ve really taught this kid the proper bulls.h.i.t of a scholar! Kid!" Su Won looked at Ma Sa. "There"s no need to ma.s.sage my ego, ya know? Jus" call me "grandpa Su" and I"ll be happy! After all, Little Yu might take a liking to you after you stick around long enough!"

He threw a glance at his granddaughter and then gave Ma Sa a win that just seemed completely at odds with the image of a famous Forgemaster.

"Haha! Grandpa Su sure knows how to joke! Though, I think Little Yu would be more likely to develop violent tendencies the more she sees me..." He threw a pleasant smile in the little girl"s direction. A brief expression of surprise crossed Su Ya"s doll like countenance. A slight blush came to her cheeks as she lowered her face.

Su Won misinterpreted her blush as embarra.s.sment over him suggesting she would develop a crush on the young Ma Sa and he chucked happily to himself. He had been joking but maybe he had spoken truth in jest. He"d better make doubly sure that the boy was of good stock if he would possibly become his future grandson in law!

"Good! Kid, you know why you"re here? Little brother Yuang Fei highly recommended you for your talent. He said you can turn your hand to anything and pick it up in a snap! Those are big words coming from him so you"d better not disappoint!"

Su Won took a sip of tea and nodded approvingly at Su Ya. Her tea making skills had truly been elevated to a high level recently. She was quite prodigious in the arts and would certainly grow into a fine young lady, just as her parents had hoped.

"Drink up your tea and had over to that bench over there." Su Won indicated a sheet covered bench off to the side. "Pull off the cover and you"ll know what to do. If you can"t work it out then you aren"t fit to learn smithing here. Finish within two hours. Meanwhile... Little Guan! You and I have a lot of catching up to do!"

Without another word to Ma Sa, Su Won stood up and practically dragged Guan Yuang Fei with him. Ma Sa was left alone with a silent, stone faced Su Ya.

"Well, I have been given my orders. Forgive me for not keeping you company, young miss."

"Hmmph! I don"t need nor want your company! Kindly fail grandfather"s test and get out of our lives. I can"t stand the sight of your filthy bloodline."

Ma Sa watched her retreating figure in shock for a moment. Who would have thought that the disgust would be because she was a seven year old racist?? Once again, curiosity filled him. What did she experience to make her so racist? What race did she think he was? It was probably his own fault for picking such unique features at character creation... Ah well, he could find out in the future. The thing that was most pressing now was the test.

Walking over to the bench, Ma Sa removed the covers and saw... Rocks. Lots of rocks. Ma Sa quickly guessed what this test was about.

Well... This should be interesting...