[attr="class","orvisquote"]

[attr="class","orvisreescroll"]
"Hello! Nice to see someone finally~" Orvis giggled, doing his best to make up for the beast he was sat on. He gave Grumble a rub under his jaw, to which the drake let out a pleased huff of air from its nostrils. "This is Grumble." [break][break]
There were bags and straps attached to the mount, though no saddle, as Orvis sadly hadn't found one or knew how to properly attach it. Thankfully, it was as if Grumble was meant to be sat on, for the groove in his back was smooth yet sturdy. Maybe a bit hard at times, but Orvis was fine with walking every now and then. [break][break]
Rather clunky in dismounting Grumble, Orvis was not elegant at all when he spun his legs round. Grumble was quite large, especially for Orvis' height, and he almost fell on his rear when hopping off. "Woah, need to get used to that."[break][break]
Brushing himself off and readjusting his clothes, he pointed at the small fox by the other player, "Oh, are you a summoner or tamer as well!? I haven't seen many of us. Best kind of class, right?!"

[attr="class","orvistag"]
@yasushi

[attr="class","orvisquote"]

[attr="class","orvisreescroll"]

zootopia: Player summons/ pets have +10% increase to all stats. Increased by +10% for each added Summoner/ Tamer.

[break][break]
Orvis looked Min-Su up and down, he seemed like a genuinely good person if he had been leaving money on the counter. But they were also right, money wasn't that important anymore, at least not in places like these. "A lot of people are missing, sadly." Orvis frowned, "Well, not missing, but I haven't seen them since this all happened. I have to find them again." He paused, turning to look at Min-Su with a serious expression, "My family." [break][break]
Orvis had always been worried about walking on the train track, always hearing about the gross stuff that flushes out straight onto the ground, or the rats and mice that scurry along them. But thankfully, everything seemed quite clean, albeit overgrown. It was nice - scenic, in fact. "I haven't seen any vehicles working at all, technology is... Limited, strangely. It probably works, but we're not allowed to." Frustrating really, it would make it a lot easier to reunite with loved ones. [break][break]
"Oh, Grumble?" Orvis turned to face Min-Su, then look down at the creature. "It's a, uh, a slime? Or a lizard... I'm unsure. But it's saved me a few times, even if it is a bit angry."
[break][break]
A low growl came from it, but soon stopped after a gurgle or two. Orvis was never sure what to make of the creature, it didn't seem to be keen on Orvis, but always tried to keep him safe when needed. "I- I think it might take me two days to get to my home. I understand if you don't want to walk all that way, but I'm grateful that you wanted to explore a little with me regardless."

[attr="class","orvistag"]
Yun Min-su

[attr="class","orvisquote"]

[attr="class","orvisreescroll"]
Orvis slowly started to hike up the hill, feeling quite the chill on his bare skin as it started to dip into late afternoon. With the wet clothes bundled up in his arms, he was finally starting to hear a strange scuffle. Which was weird, since Grumble hardly made any noise.[break][break]
Upon having embers kicked up towards the creature, it would let out a deep, ghastly groan like drums beating from its throat. That, paired with a draconic, horse-like neigh, it reared up onto its hind legs. With great poise and balance, it kicked its front legs into the air, the heavy talons on its feet thrashing wildly towards Yukiharu. Grumble did not directly engage, but instead held his ground, only harming Yuki if he stepped closer. [break][break]
Upon hearing the distressed/ warning cry of his monster, Orvis panicked and started running. The moment he saw them creep into view, he started flailing around in a panic, but was too out of breath to actually shout anything. Annoyingly, the monster rancher was positioned behind the other player's field of view, which meant Orvis had to get there as fast as possible! [break][break]
Pushing himself to his limit, Orvis ran down the slope and towards the small camp he made. Huffing and puffing, he hurled the bundle of wet clothes at the man's face, and if that didn't work, would rugby tackle him.[break][break]
Orvis was by no means big, or strong, but the smaller and less muscular kid did indeed try to tackle this giant of a man to the ground - anything to stop him from actually fighting Grumble. Orvis was unsure if this older male would even budge, but hopefully the soggy t-shirt to the face would do the trick.

[attr="class","orvistag"]
Yukiharu Kita

[attr="class","orvisquote"]

[attr="class","orvisreescroll"]
'Dear Diary,' Orvis began, his pen furiously scribbling away at the journal he recently purchased, 'I met the most annoying, pretentious and utterly absurd individual today. He's a colossal twat, some quirked up twink that thinks he runs the place and had the audacity to say I look like a chewed up candy wrapper with no taste for fashion.'[break][break]
Orvis took a deep breath, an angry exhale as he closed his eyes and took a moment before diving right back in. [break][break]
'I thought this new world would make people more understanding and kind to one another, especially a fellow member of the LGBTQT+ community. I try not to let this stuff get to me, but maybe he was right. Despite being over the top and possessing one of the most punchable faces I've ever seen, I must remember to remain positive and kind.'[break][break]
Another moment to reflect, Orvis leant back on the chair in the small but quaint cafe on the highstreet. There was still a sense of normalcy in Los Angeles, some people kept their businesses running and did their best to help others. There was no proper income anymore, so people just used the money they had left or found other ways to buy things with points etc. There were a lot of plants here, and the glass windows at the front showed the busy streets outside with other players mingling and getting to their jobs in the early hours of Thursday. Strange, really, why people clung onto such mundane tasks. [break][break]
But at least Orvis got a good coffee out of it, and a place to write.[break][break]
'Regardless, I did go and get my haircut. I didn't explain to my Mum why I needed one so desperately, but she was happy to oblige. It seemed she chose a class that allowed her to completely makeover some people, making her job much easier. I'm glad my family are safe now, but there are still some I haven't heard from. I will find them.'

[attr="class","orvistag"]
Susame Fuyukami

[attr="class","orvisquote"]

[attr="class","orvisreescroll"]
"Hnngggg..." Orvis slowly pulled himself up, using the giant bone to support him like a single crutch. He started spitting out the sand, watching the grit hit the shore below him. It was hard to breathe for a moment, as if he just got compressed by a single blow from the beast. Orvis needed to do something about that, realising now that his stats did nothing for him physically. Eventually, when he caught his breath, Orvis rubbed his eyes to see Elisande making her way over quickly. [break][break]
"D- Did I hurt it?" he asked, still doubled over slightly from the pain. [break][break]
A shrill jaguar's cry came from the creature, finally managing to swipe away at Grumble and also fling the poor slime up into the air towards Orvis and Ellie. Panicking, and with a newfound burst of energy, Orvis ran a few steps forwards and threw the bone to the ground. Holding out his arms, he jumped up and just about managed to catch Grumble before the poor slime hit the ground. It was injured already just from that one blow, and seemed to groan weakly in his arms. [break][break]
"E- Ellie, grab the club." Orvis suggested, feeling a strange warmth coming from the creature in his arms. A small menu appeared above Grumble, flickering to signify its weakened state. [break][break]

ADVANCE MONSTER TO THE NEXT STAGE?[break]
[ Y ] - - - [ N ]

[break][break]
What did this mean? Orvis wish he had more time to figure this out, but the Mishipeshu was now in hot pursuit, creeping forwards with its slinking movements and sharpened claws. Hesitantly, Orvis clicked on 'Yes', and felt the warmth grow, before Grumble floated up a few feet above the ground, encompassed by code and pixels. It was entirely swarmed by digital light, shrouding it in a single blue cube that grey triple the size, almost blocking the vision between them and the sea cat. [break][break]
Was it some kind of barricade? What was it supposed to do? Orvis took a few steps back, ready to try and run away if it came to it. But as the Mishipeshu suddenly lunged forwards with its paws outstretched, it collided with the giant pixelated cube, causing it to pop like a bubble. Dispersing in streams of data, it unravelled to reveal a large horse-like reptile, which deftly ducked underneath the Mishipeshu and used its horns to jab into its underbelly. In one fell motion, the drake threw the Mishipeshu further into the air, straight over Orvis and Ellie as it swiped fruitlessly in the air. Landing roughly, it also skidded and rolled across the sand before angrily hissing. [break][break]
Before Orvis could turn to see what just happened to 'Grumble', they had already stepped forwards, putting itself in front of the two players in a defensive stance. It had similar mannerisms to a horse, huffing out its nostrils and stamping its clawed hoof against the sand, as if it were going to charge. [break][break]
"G- Grumble?" Orvis gingerly raised a hand, placing it delicately on its scaly hide. The creature's eyes darted back, glancing at Orvis with a look of disdain. Orvis let go, taking a step back. "Thank you."
[break][break]
Mishipeshu attacks for F Rank [basic] damage on Grumble. [break]
Grumble evolves! [break]
Grumble attacks for E Rank [basic] damage on Mishipeshu.[break]

[attr="class","orvistag"]
Elisande Kiaris

[attr="class","orvisquote"]

[attr="class","orvisreescroll"]
Orvis felt the rush of water around his ankles, a feeling he actually kind of liked when the shore pulled back in only to be churned back. He could feel his feet sink into the wet sand a few centimetres, the water running between his toes as loose pebbles tumbled over them. But this was different, more violent compared to the gentle lapping that he felt so far on this brisk walk. Hearing Elisande's assertive voice made him perk up, and Grumble also started to hop away further. [break][break]
"Wh- What is it?" Orvis did as she said regardless, hurrying up the beach and looking back out to the water. The once calm ocean became more violent, a large area swelling and bursting as some kind of creature emerged from it. "Oh sh- shit!"[break][break]
Grumble began to growl, a deep and rough sound emanating from its tiny body. Orvis, in a hurry, brought up his inventory and selected the [bone club] from his weapon stash. A large femur bone from a dinosaur fossil materialised from thin air, landing with a thud into the sand. Orvis swiftly picked it up, though he did admittedly try to catch it in mid-air. "This looks strong! Maybe we should run?" It was clear the young monster rancher was scared, his stance was shoddy and grip weak. Was it because he put no stats into Power? Orvis frowned, hoping that his monsters might be able to help some more.[break][break]
Already, Delphi burst into action as it swam through the air for a hefty whack against the cat. The two creatures seemingly engaging in mid-air/ underwater combat. "Stay on the sand, Grumble! Wait till it gets closer."[break][break]
The sabre-toothed slime angrily paced back and forth, making weird barking noises at the creature as it attempted to swipe at the astral dolphin. Bringing up a hand, Orvis would point it at the so called 'Mishipeshu' and call out, "Egg Snatcher!"[break][break]

SUCCESS

[break][break]
Just as the previous times he's done this, the creature was encased in a harmless, skin-tight light flecked with multicoloured code. After a brief delay, the bubble burst into stardust, entwining together into a DNA Helix of ones and zeroes, swirling through the air towards Orvis in a matter of seconds. It snaked around his arm, and must have been sucked straight into the egg in his rucksack. [break][break]

YOUR EGG IS READY TO HATCH.[break]
ESSENCE: 75%[break]
HATCHING AN EGG BELOW 100% ESSENCE MAY RESULT IN A WEAKENED CREATURE.[break][break]
HATCH ANYWAY?[break]
[ Y ] ------ [ N ][break]

[break]
Immediately pressing on 'No', the system menu disappeared and Orvis was once again left with nothing but the aquatic cat. Although Egg Snatcher doesn't cause any physical pain, or any physical sensation at all, it always seemed to annoy monsters and draw their attention. Orvis already started running further back up the beach, "G- Grumble! Do your best!"

[attr="class","orvistag"]
Elisande Kiaris

[attr="class","orvisquote"]

[attr="class","orvisreescroll"]
Orvis blinked slowly at the stranger, staring in bewilderment at the language he used. Was it Korean? Orvis scratched his head, he never knew how to speak another language, so why could he understand what this person was saying to him? Narrowing his eyes, he looked down at Grumble and the dog, both of which seemed to be quite intrigued by one another. "Y- You're speaking Korean right now?" Orvis held out a half pointed finger at the gentlemen, though kept his hands close to his chest. "I- I understand what you're saying..."[break][break]

At this point, he could hear the frustrated gurgle from his monster, something it did whenever they were about to snap. Panicked, Orvis dropped to his knees and swiftly scooped Grumble up in his arms. Despite being somewhat 'slime-like' in appearance, the monster was dry and whole, feeling more scaly than anything else. The sudden swoop from its owner had taken Grumble by surprise, enough to keep him dazed and docile for the time being. "Sorry, Grumble is a bit temperamental, I don't want it to hurt your dog."
[break][break]
"It must be so dangerous for pets in this world!" Orvis frowned, "What happens to the pets whose owners don't come back from the tutorial?" Eyes trailed down, a sadness deep within them. It was an awful thought, but at least he was still alive. He just hoped his family were okay too. "B- But if you're okay with it, can we form a party? The usual ride home by train is about an hour... I don't know how long that will take by foot. I'm sorry... I'm just really scared, and I haven't seen anyone else with a pet since the awakening."[break][break]
Orvis lowered Grumble, this time putting himself between the little slime and the sapsali so that there wouldn't be any accidental nips. "My name is Orvis, nice to meet you!"

[attr="class","orvistag"]
Yun Min-su