The World of Crimson: Is this a chatroom or an RPG? [Episode 126889]

Crimson looked over the character standing before him.   The so called Lord Azure was a tall, dark, and handsome stranger dressed in shining armor, with flowing silk cape, and carting around an oversized sword.   Something about the arrogant smirk on his features as he stood over the fading remains of the dispatched skeletons really set Crimson’s teeth on edge.   Such blatant smugness was truly irksome.

“You know,” advised their smug saviour, “if you’re going to take my daughter on net-dates, I expect you to bring her character back alive!”

“Pappa” blushed Firefly.   “It’s not like that!”

“Ah, just kiddin’.”   Azure ruffled the sprite’s floppy cap and added, “I know you would get involved with just any playa.   Remember what your Mamma always says: The World is a place where people can role-play their fantasies behind the mask of anonymity and, no matter how exciting it sounds, that’s a big fat warning.”

“Tch’yeah, Poppa, I know,” bemoaned Firefly.   “Like I could ferget.   Cheeses, lighten up will ya, it’s just a game.   We’re here to have fun.”

“Okay, but, it didn’t look like you were having much fun when I got here.   I’ll tell you what, I’ll let you stay up a little while longer and help clear out this level.”

‘Oh great,’ thought Crimson darkly, ‘someone else to watch me make a fool of myself.’

“Just great,” muttered Firefly, “nothing make an impression like having your pappa tag along…”

“What was that?” enquired Azure sharply.

“Ah, nothing raises the encounter levels like having a high level character tag along,” temporised Firefly.

“That just means more XP for ya, right?” observed Azure.   “So you’ll level up real fast.”

“That’s not the point!” exclaimed Firefly.   “Anyway, we’ll just lose XP if we have to keep respawning.”

‘Expee?’ wondered Crimson, ‘encounter levels?   Respawn?   Are they still speaking Japanese?   I don’t understand a word.’   “Ah, look, can we get moving?”

“Okay, Crimsion,” exclaimed Firefly, “are you ready this time?”

“Uh, yeah,” agreed Crimson as he hastily equipped his knives.   “Bring on the monsters.”

“Leading the way…” dibbed Azure as he took point.   The other characters swiftly followed the Heavy Blade into the deeper darkness.