They sat together in the inn. Two girls, alike in gender and different in pretty much every other respect.<\/p>\n
Ryoka Griffin and Erin Solstice eyed each other over the smooth mahogany table. Silence hung in the air between them. Taut. Tense.<\/p>\n
It was finally time for them to talk.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell. It seems we have a lot to talk about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryoka was the first to break the silence. She looked up at Erin, and then down at her hands. Quite honestly, she didn\u2019t know where to begin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI suppose\u2014we should start with how we got here.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was the basis of all things. Sharing information. They needed to pool data, make plans for the future. Their survival could depend on it.<\/p>\n
Ryoka took a deep breath. From the beginning. She\u2019d put all her secrets on the line and hope Erin did the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cErin, I came down towards Liscor because I was doing a delivery. A special one. You see, I met this man named Teriarch. And he put some kind of\u2014of spell on me. It made me travel towards the Blood Fields and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryoka broke off sharply. Erin was raising a hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry. But can we just\u2014not do this right now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Oh of course. Ryoka closed her eyes. Erin was probably exhausted from meeting Gazi and rescuing Ceria. But this was important.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess we can start tomorrow if necessary. I can sleep\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, not that. I mean this. Can we just cut the act for a second and take a break? From this stupid story, I mean. Why do we have to have a serious conversation now<\/em>? Can\u2019t we rest for, I dunno, five days and then go from there?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the script says we talk now and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe script can go to hell! I\u2019m sick of it!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin glared at Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been here for nine months, and I still haven\u2019t gotten a proper romantic relationship. Or even a wand or something like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka paused. Erin sighed and put her face in her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now I have to poke someone\u2019s eye<\/em> out? Do you know what that feels <\/em>like? I mean, come on. I know you\u2019re a professional, Ryoka, but I need a break. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin put her head down on the table. Ryoka patted her on the back and looked around. Then she lowered her voice conspiratorially.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think you\u2019ve got it bad? At least you only have to deal with the inn. Every time I\u2019m in a chapter I have to run for my life or nearly get eaten or\u2014or have my leg run over by a frickin\u2019 cart.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka made a face at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been six months <\/em>of this crap. Twice a week I have to run around, fight monsters, and complain about how stupid people are.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. She sat up as Ryoka sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI know. And what\u2019s with the frying pans, anyways? Who uses frying pans?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I didn\u2019t even get a weapon! What am I, too stupid to buy a sword? How hard is it honestly to use one. Put the pointy end in people. Simple!\u201d<\/p>\n The two girls sat together and began to complain. Ryoka was nodding as Erin laid out her grievances.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d think the author would at least give me a magic wand or something. I mean, is it beyond the realm of possibility that I\u2019d fall into an ancient tomb or stumble over a mage\u2019s corpse. I could have been Harry Potter. Instead I\u2019m\u2026Dudley.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh come on, you\u2019re not fat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to happen sooner or later. How do you think I deal with stress? Every time I nearly die I eat half a pig\u2019s worth of food.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shuddered and shook her head. Ryoka winced sympathetically.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, how about this?\u201d<\/p>\n The Asian girl spread her hands on the table and looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cCrossovers. They\u2019re a good waste of time. Nothing plot-centric ever happens in a crossover. If we get one with another story, we could waste a chapter or two that way. Take a break.\u201d<\/p>\n She grinned at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could magically appear in Hogwarts and meet Harry Potter for a day. Learn some magic, only it would only work with a wand \u2013 which you can\u2019t bring back. That\u2019s a good crossover. Plus, you could see if you can\u2019t get a leg up on Ginny Weasley. Put the moves on scar boy.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nudged Erin with an elbow.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin made a face that wasn\u2019t too enthusiastic.<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be cool. I guess. But you know that will never happen. Harry Potter\u2019s over, and besides, there are all those licensing issues.\u201d<\/p>\n That was true. Ryoka had to think about that.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014what about other web serials? Maybe another author would go for a chapter trade. Like\u2026what about Worm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWorm? Do you want<\/em> to die horribly?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin glared at Ryoka, and the other girl held up her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, okay. Good point. How about a webcomic? Those are nice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat takes too long to draw.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot unless we\u2019re stick figures. We could try Order of the Stick.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno. I don\u2019t think I\u2019d look good in 2D. Besides, you know the author\u2019s too lazy to do any of that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue.\u201d<\/p>\n The two sat in silence for a few minutes. At last, Erin spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWe should protest. Start a petition.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka pounded the table.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right! Let\u2019s send one to the Author\u2019s Association.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, there\u2019s an Author\u2019s Association?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Probably not. But we can post it on change.org!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah! Let\u2019s do it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, I have a piece of paper here. Let me start this petition.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka pulled out the chapter\u2019s script and began scribbling on the back. Erin got up and hovered over the paper as Ryoka wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cpirateaba is obviously a fake name. But I know what the real author\u2019s name is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled. She pointed to the first line.<\/p>\n \u201cHelicopter DeFranco. Okay, so we\u2019ll start by saying that \u2018We the main characters of the story feel that the author, Helicopter DeFranco has repeatedly ignored our right to acceptable working hours, freedom of speech, medical care, a safe working environment, and\u2026\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait a second.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka had to hold up a hand and cut Erin off.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure<\/em> his name is Helicopter DeFranco?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cPretty sure? And it\u2019s \u2018she\u2019, Ryoka. The author is a she. Helicopter can be a girl\u2019s name as well as a guy\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at Erin. She paused, put down the pen, rubbed at her eyes, and looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst: the author\u2019s name is not Helicopter DeFranco. I don\u2019t know where you\u2019re getting that from.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked down sadly at her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cThe comments lied to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cSecond: the author is male.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is not! I mean\u2014she<\/em> is not!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe author is totally a he, Erin. Only a guy would be this much of a dick to female characters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we were in a LitRPG web serial written by a guy, we\u2019d both be in a harem. And your breasts would be three times as large.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka looked down at her chest and covered it protectively.<\/p>\n \u201cNot every male author is a chauvinistic pig. Some of them can write female characters. Like George R. R. Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we were in The Game of Thrones we\u2019d be dead.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnyways, the author is a she.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook, are we going to write the petition or not? Let\u2019s just write \u2018pirateaba\u2019 for now and change it later.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated as she stared at the paper.<\/p>\n \u201cBut are we sure we want to do this? I mean, seriously?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the worst that could happen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe could have Gazi come back and stab us repeatedly.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused. And then she looked at Ryoka, seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka, let me ask you this instead: what do you think the odds are that the author\u2019s going to have that happen anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared at Erin for a second, and then sat down and began to write.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Later that day, Relc and Klbkch walked towards the inn. They stopped when they saw the signs planted deep in the snow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Female main characters for proper pay and time off! Striking until we get vacations!<\/em><\/p>\n Free our heroines! No stabbing for all!<\/em><\/p>\n I want a pay raise!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Relc turned to Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like they\u2019re on strike. Want to go back and wait?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThat appears to be the only sound course of action.\u201d<\/p>\n Relc hesitated. He stared at the inn. He could hear Erin and Ryoka inside, shouting some kind of protest.<\/p>\n \u201cShould we tell them they\u2019re only alive until the real main character shows up?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe that would be unwise.\u201d<\/p>\n The two began walking back towards Liscor, though the snow. Relc started complaining after a few minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of name is \u2018The Wandering Inn\u2019, anyways? The inn doesn\u2019t even move!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch agreed. He gestured to his new body with one of his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cI object to my death by the Goblins as well. I feel I should at least have died to twice their number. My reputation is at stake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I got my ass handed to me by Gazi while Erin gets the final blow. Again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo be fair, Rags got the kill for Skinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, so I get upstaged by a human girl and a Goblin? I feel much<\/em> better about that.\u201d<\/p>\n The two walked on in a huff as lightning began pouring from the sky and striking The Wandering Inn. After a second, Relc turned to Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Do you think we get hazard pay?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" They sat together in the inn. Two girls, alike in gender and different in pretty much every other respect. Ryoka Griffin and Erin Solstice eyed each other over the smooth mahogany table. Silence hung in the air between them. Taut. Tense. It was finally time for them to talk. \u201cWell. It seems we have a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693090],"tags":[7224,250708,4330244,4472517,11693079],"twi_volume":[],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-1411","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-non-canon","tag-fantasy","tag-inn","tag-web-novel","tag-web-serial","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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