Poor Man Reborn

First Collision With Destiny

"Ok, so we gotta find a quest," Trina explained to me as I walked toward the opening of the alley-way.

"How do I do that?"

"That's a good question. I think you have to look around and find someone that needs help."

"You think? Aren't you my guide?"

"Yes, for your functionality! But I'm just as lost on the actual people as you are. Let's go take a look, and maybe we will find someone that needs our help."

So that's what I did. I took the first real steps knowing that I had destiny on my side this time instead of Fate. I walked to the street and walked out.

Collision! Before I noticed, a man running very fast crashed into me, knocking me down, hard! As I went down, my hand caught around a smooth leather strap.

I hit the ground hard, rolling to the side, and ended up clutching a bag. As I got my breath back, I could see the fancy bag I was holding. The sounds of the world came rushing back into me.

"Are you alright? That guy moved you over! But you got the bag he stole! This score will help us get big credits!" Trina exclaimed.

As Trina explained, near the end of her exciting speech, I could hear an angry female voice about the crowd. As the voice got closer, I started to listen to many "My Lady" and "Dutchess," and I wondered what was going on. The outraged face of a beautiful woman came storming into view. A panting group of guards of different species followed her.

"Theif, Stop that damn thief!" The outraged woman screamed, but none of the pedestrians paid her mind. "Ignorance is bliss" seems to transcend universes.

As the woman got closer with her entourage, I stood up.

"Excuse me, miss," I said, walking into her path.

The woman slowed and then stopped when she saw the bag I was holding. Her eyes lit up, and she ran at me fast, like scary fast.

"Where did you get this from?" the woman asked.

"I came from that alley, and someone ran into me and knocked me over, and when I fell, my hand got caught on this," I say, holding the bag up.

The woman slowly took the purse and handed it to a guard panting less than the rest. She looked me up and down but didn't see Trina moving around my head. The woman wore a red dress with a white scarf and a broad-rimmed beige hat.

"It's there, my Lady, along with everything else," The human head guard said, walking up close to speak, then stepping back.

"Well, this is quite remarkable. I can see your as poor as it gets down here in The Entry Home Land. I was just walking through the noble district four, and that thief came out of nowhere," the lady put the back of her hand to her head and then turned it, feigning indignation.

"Sorry Mam, I just was in the right place at the right time to help, I guess," I say while scratching at my side.

The damn sac was itchy, and getting knocked to the ground hadn't helped. Maybe be ill get a coin or two, whatever the people here used for currency, and I could get something to eat and wear. Just then, my stomach rumbled at the thought of food.

"Aren't you a darling! My name is Grace Huntington. I'm a Dutchess of the fifth noble level. I specialize as a Duelist, and I have a comfortable home with no husband. Would you like to come live with me, my little burlap sac boy?"

"Holy crap, this is amazing!" Trina finally piped up, but I ignored her.

Is this the chance to bypass who knew how many levels to go with this rich woman? I only briefly hesitate before saying.

"Yes, I would enjoy that."

"Oh, he's so cute! So formal and in a burlap sack, just wait until we put some real shoes on you. My daughter is going to love you! Follow us, young man, you have saved me a lot of hassle, and I shall reward you for your act. I think it's destiny that we meet like this."

Wow, I just walked out after being homeless and got ran over. Now I'm no longer lost, and I might get something to cure my growling stomach. Beggars can't be choosers. These blessings are shaping up to be good.

I follow the group through seven security levels, and Grace lets them scan her palm each time. After the second one, I asked her about them.

"Why do they scan your hand?"

"That can display multiple things; if you go into your inventory and ask for HAND ACTIONS, there is a ten space wheel to store items to use. You can activate these by holding up your fingers from pinky to index for one to five. Then you drop fingers to your palm until your hand is closed for six to ten."

"She is right! You can do this to interact with objects or people. You can also put your other hand flat over the top of your hand, making the number slot to summon items," Trina piped up beside my head.

"That's really helpful, thank you. Can I ask you one question?" I ask Grace as we pass into the fifth level.

"Of course."

"Why are you helping me?"

"You had every chance to take my bag and run. We would have had no idea you had it, just like the one who took it in the first place. The treasure inside this bag is worth a small kingdom, and you might not have known that, but that doesn't change how you stepped forward while I was angrily chasing the thief and politely gave me what I was looking for asked nothing in return—you, who is in nothing but a burlap sack. I have faith you will become something this world has never seen. Like I said, destiny."

I wasn't in a place to be arguing, and I was just glad that I wasn't looking for a place to sleep tonight. I tried to concentrate on Miss Grace so I wouldn't stop and gawk at all the fantastic things that were sliding past my vision. I'm pretty sure I saw a large slug selling something that looked like ice cream.

We walked up to a beautiful manor built with white brick and a red tile roof. The two-story building had a large balcony that wrapped around the house. There was a single iron gate that one of the guards opened. We walked up to the porch, and a shy girl a little older than me greeted us. The purple-haired girl got very excited when she saw Grace.

"Mom, why did you bring home a walking sack of potatoes?"

The girl was tall for her age and had a curious look that said she wasn't disgusted by me. She was charming, with a blue sundress on and white slips. Her blue eyes blended with her purple hair, but she had red skin. Not that it took away from her beauty.

"This young man rescued my bag from that man that grabbed it. Not before we chased him five levels down. This "bag of potatoes" has done a great favor for us, and we shall repay him by giving him a home with us. Think of him as your little brother. This lovely daughter of mine  is Lavender."

Lavender walked up to inspect me, and Trina followed her. My faery had put away her massive pack, but it still made me smile on the inside, seeing her flit around Lanvender's head. The girl finally stopped in front of me and squatted down, putting her hand out flat.

I've seen enough sci-fi space shows to know this is a form of greeting and pass my hand over hers.  Lavender laughs a soft-sounding chuckle that reminds me of spring, and it sends a chill down my spine, is this her? But when we lock eye's I know she's just a beautiful girl.

"If mom says you got her bag back from that creep that ruined our day out, then I say your good too. What's your name?" Lavender asks me, and my heart sinks.

"That's right! I never asked what your name was, how thoughtless of me," Miss Grace puts a hand up to her head as a sign of her forgetfulness.

"Snaggle Tooth. It's ok, a lot was happening," I mumble.

I see Lavender's face redden, and Miss Grace screws up her expression to hide the smile I know she is holding back. I wasn't sure what to expect when I said my name. Miss Grace let out a cough.

"Well, I don't think that name will do. What do you think, honey?"

"I'm not really sure, but we can't leave it like that. How would we ever take this boy out?" And at this point, both Miss Grace and Lavender started to laugh.

I smiled, thinking how nice it was to see a happy family that was so small. I believe there is only one name I should have for this round. Let stick it to Fate, so when I find his minion and beat him, I can tell him Dave says hi.

"Dave," I speak up loud enough to interrupt the two's laughter.

"Really? Are you sure? Because I will change it right now, you will also take our last name. I have a CHANGE NAME PASS, but you can't change it again after."

"I'm sure. You say that destiny brought us all together. Well, I, Dave Huntington, have a score to settle with Fate, and that is my destiny!" As I finished my little speech, the star popped up again.