THE MOMENT
"Thanks for coming along," Alvin said. "I didn't have anyone else to ask." It was one of the few true statements he spoke since he started school. He considered asking Quinn and Dara; but, they weren't interested in derby and probably didn't want to play in the AlterNet either. But, Alvin knew he couldn't do it alone. The humongous freshman was an easy choice, he was one of the few other students Alvin had interactions with. Moose smiled down at his new friend and patted him on the back. Alvin was on this side of tall for his age; but, Moose still had about a foot on him even though they were the same age. Horses pulled wagons up and down both sides of the road; but, it was wide enough for the pair of students to walk down the middle.
"Hey, anything for a teammate," he chuckled.
"Thanks, but I'm not on the team...," Alvin said.
"You tried out and you got in," Moose shrugged his broad shoulders. "Jus' 'cuz you can't play at the moment doesn't mean you aren't one of us." Alvin sighed.
"I told you, I don't like derby," he repeated the worn out lie but Moose just chuckled.
"I been in the AlterNet since elementary school; I seen people havin' fun and you were havin' fun. If not, then we wouldn't be here," Moose gestured at the old west town around them. Alvin almost repeated that it was still fun to play in the AlterNet even if he wasn't doing roller derby. But, Moose already had him figured out and he didn't have anything to gain from pushing back. Alvin let the topic drop. Luckily, they reached their destination. Alvin turned and walked past the horses tied out front and into the saloon. He paused for a moment to look around; but, not a single patron looked up from their drink.
"There he is," Alvin nodded at an old gunslinger leaning against the bar. He was alone, and seated. But, the bar provided the extra steadiness he obviously needed. He tried to take a drink as Alvin and Moose approached; but, he wobbled on his seat before setting the shot glass down again to avoid dropping it.
"Hey old timer," Alvin said. He reached under his black poncho and pulled out a dirty, one-eyed teddy bear. He placed it on the bar in front of the gunslinger. The withered old man grumbled and swept the teddy bear onto the floor and away from his drink.
"Huh?" Alvin vocalized his confusion as he knelt for the bear. Moose chuckled.
"You gotta accept the quest 'fore you turn it in," Moose said.
"Oh yeah," Alvin nodded at Moose. "Thanks," he said. Alvin handed the bear to Moose, then looked back at the old man.
"Hey old timer, it looks like you've had a few too many shots...," Alvin said. The gunslinger turned and focused on Alvin and narrowed his eyes.
"Tell ya what, stranger," he sneered at Alvin. "After your daughter's shot an' killed before your eyes, then you can tell me when I've had too many," he raised the shot glass and downed it. He slammed the empty glass down on the bar and it was instantly filled, without the bartender's help. "I'd give anything to teach them Dover Boys a permanent lesson." Small black text appeared in the corner of sight: [Quest Accepted].
He gestured at Moose for the bear, the placed it in front of the gunslinger again.
"Hey, old timer," This time, the grizzly stranger snatched up the bear in an instant and held it to his chest. Tears flowed out of his eyes as he squeezed the bear tight.
"The Dover Boys had this...," he turned and faced Alvin. ".. what happened to them?"
"They won't be bothering anyone again," Alvin said. The old man's eyes went wide.
"All three???" he asked. Alvin nodded. Taking on all three Dover Boys at once was why he needed an extra party member. The gunslinger hugged the bear again and sighed. He stood up from the stool.
"She's avenged...," he mumbled to himself. Then, he reached into his holster and drew his gun. He stuck the hilt out towards Alvin and took two wobbly steps forward. "..you're worthy. Carry my legacy," he placed the gun in Alvin's hand, then clenched the bear one last time. He disintegrated into white dust that disappeared before it landed on the wood floor.
[Quest Complete] appeared in Alvin's vision. He looked down at the gun to inspect it.
"Damn it!" he cursed at the green item description. The color told him it wasn't the item he was looking for; but, he felt bad for wasting Moose's time. He was willing to suck it up for now and use whatever he got; except, he couldn't use it. The quest rewarded random weapons for multiple classes. He was a Spellslinger that couldn't use a Gunslinger's weapon. He was about to tell Moose thanks and give up for the night, but he felt a huge hand pat his shoulder again.
"Don't just stand there. It's a school night but we got time for a few more tries if we need 'em. He’ll respawn before we get back," he said. Then, Moose turned and headed towards the exit.
"You sure?" Alvin asked. Moose nodded.
"Anything for a team-," Moose paused and turned to see Alvin standing right behind him. Moose smiled. "Anything for a friend."