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Mari

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Posts posted by Mari

  1. Current Level: 85
    Current SP:   521 - (489 now i've gone through everything and cannot find/link all the old threads  many sads)
    Link to SP Tracking:  here.  (ALL threads with SP should be listed here; if there are any issues please flick me a message!) 

     

    2.6 | PRE-CONVERSION 3.0 | UPGRADED

    ITEM #1

    Item Name: Infernal Shadow 
    Item ID: Event item Given by Macradon to Mari
    Item Tier: 3
    Item Type: Light Armour
    Item Rarity:  Perfect
    Item Enhancements:  Evasion, Evasion, Flame Aura
    Description:   Dark brown leather harness covering most of the torso but still leaving a lot of dexterity for the wearer. The dark leather has a few cracks in it, and sometimes small sparks appear when moved around. The cracks glow a dim red light in the dark.

     

    Item Name: Infernal Shadow
    Item Tier: 4
    Item Type: Light Armour
    Item Enhancements: EVA 2 | Holy Blessing
    Description:  Dark brown leather harness covering most of the torso but still leaving a lot of dexterity for the wearer. The dark leather has a few cracks in it, and sometimes small sparks appear when moved around. The cracks glow a dim red light in the dark.

    ITEM #2

    Item Name: Darkened Bore
    Item ID: 155637a   Link
    Item Tier:  3
    Item Type: 2H Assault Spear
    Item Rarity: Perfect
    Item Enhancements:  Keen | Acc | Fallen
    Description:  A polearm in a vibrant and deep orange, with its construction is a dark leather bounding that composes the handle. When it triggers it seems to breathe its own aggressive tendency into its wielder, some consider it cursed. Each breath is a fizzle of black that rises from both sides of its point. It is a rather grim and foreboding weapon.

     

    Item Name: Darkened Bore
    Item ID: 155637a   Link
    Item Tier:  4
    Item Type: 2H Assault Spear
    Item Rarity: Perfect
    Item Enhancements:  Keen | Acc | Fallen
    Description:  A polearm in a vibrant and deep orange, with its construction is a dark leather bounding that composes the handle. When it triggers it seems to breathe its own aggressive tendency into its wielder, some consider it cursed. Each breath is a fizzle of black that rises from both sides of its point. It is a rather grim and foreboding weapon.

     

    Notes:
    [any other items that are required to be converted would go here. players may also leave additional clarifications for staff to refer to regarding their application here. note that converted items do not benefit from the same upgrades provided in the field above.]

  2. "Halloween was never a thing where I'm from. I remember being a kid and getting so frustrated at seeing all the cool Halloween episodes and stuff on TV; and it just...didn't exist." Mari shrugged off the small tidbit into her life before the game. Before everything. She could have continued, about how she'd always let her daughter dress up for Halloween - give a mix of candy and apples. Evelyn loved apples. Mari cleared her throat. No- No she couldn't go down that memory lane trip. It left a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach and her head throbbed.

    "You and I are different." Mari muttered, barely concealing the bitterness that dripped from her words. "Were you ever hunted?" Mari asked, gripping her mug tighter. "Did you ever deal with the brunt of an entire guild after your head? Abandoning a Boss battle simply because you were leading the meeting? Threatening to kill you on the next?" The words were like bile.Toxic vitterol that continued to spill out - "Did you have a close friend literally stab you in the back? Another lie to your face about their feelings? Did you have everyone at every chance abandon you?" 

    He tried to lock eyes with her but Mari didn't have any of it.  "You think I deserve this, but I don't." 

    @Hikoru

  3. Character Name: Mari 
    Character Description: Jaded by the world she was thrown in, cold and awkward. Not the crazy person rumours would suggest she is; just a woman mourning the loss of those she loved.
    Character Journal Link

    Character Name: Ceres
    Character Description: Loves Money, extremely naive. Doesn't know social cues and often makes things awkward with her forward way of talking. 
    Character Journal Link

  4. Mari's lips turned down into a scrunched frown of disapproval when Hikoru said it only ate candy. "Urgh...that's way too sweet for my tastes." She mumbled. Still - she shook her head, snorting as her face returned to a more natural expression. "It is...interesting. Not sure how many people would feel drinking pumpkin flavored vomit from it though." As she said this she took the cup and took a large sip. Swallowing. Reiterrating the point that she was totally one of those people who very much would drink strange liquids from a creature. Hell, she drank from the river Styx. this was nothing compared to that.

    "If I may ask, why do you feel this way?" 

    Mari winced at his question, straight to the point - wasn't he? "I don't deserve it." Came her curt reply. Mari kept her eyes down on her cup, it was easier to look at an inanimate object than it was to meet questioning eyes from another. "I don't feel right being in a safe zone. It feels wrong. I don't want to bother people. My presence makes people uncomfortable. And I don't like the idea that I could be shanked by a guard at any minute. I get your house is...safe but it just doesn't feel that way to me."

  5. "Well, guess that's one time my stature will help me then, eh?" Mari added with an awkward laugh. As Hikoru motioned to the fire she shifted toward it, but still avoided the chair. Instead she stood in front of the flames - watching them quietly for a few moments. She felt...off, it wasn't HIkoru's fault. He was doing his absolute best to make her feel comfortable. But the problem was...she just didn't. Mari felt strange being in a house - no... a home. Such a thing felt like a luxury she didn't deserve. Fire, warmth...safety. Why should she get any of this when she had taken it from so many? 

    "H-huh?" Mari turned to the small pumpkin creature, who held a platter in its vine-like hands. How odd...Mari snorted as she picked up the creamer and coffee, adding a large helping of the milk like substance to the coffee- but leaving the sugar. Mari wasn't a fan of overly sweet things, and the pumpkin spice along with the creamer was more than enough for her. "Thanks..." Mari said quietly as she nursed the cup in her hands, only then - choosing to sit on the chair closest to the crackling fire. 

    Mari ran a thumb over the rim of the white mug, her blue eyes watching the mixture swirl. "Hey...I appreciate this but..." Mari took a deep breath. "I really shouldn't stay here tonight."

    @Hikoru

     

  6. Peanut butter and jelly

    An odd concoction Mari never truly understood. It was never really a thing in Australia, and she had tried it once - and it tasted bloody awful. A gross, sloppy mess. And jelly? Wasn't it just jam. Another thing she didn't understand, but she wasn't going to berate a child for liking such things. She wasn't that much of a bitch.

    "Yeh, somethin' like that." Mari commented absently.  She gave Aiko a smile and a nod when he said he'd tale his advice to heart. "You say that about the pumpkin..." Mari started, then snorted. "But honey is just bee vomit. Eggs come out a chickens butt - milk out a cows teat, is it really all that far to drink coffee from some strange creature in a virtual world?' 

    After falling in the snow he leapt forward with newfound vigor.  As he ran toward a nearby tree Mari sat herself down on a flat rock, crossing her legs and leaning against the tree in which the rock sat against. She watched him as he exerted himself, climbed up higher - giving his own reaffirmations. Again, Mari had to wonder if he really was as young as he said he was. There were times where he seemed older, but most of the time he did just act like a hyperactive child. 

    He had thought he seen something, but promptly fell - Mari pushed herself up off the rock and approached him, helping him out the snow. "Well, I haven't really played those games but I've seen clips and videos of them - they dont really do it in the game. They're not people like us." Mari gave Aiko a small pat on his head. 

    "Shall we go in the direction you saw something?"

     

    @Iron_Lion

  7. STATS DONE JUST ADDING FLUFF

    "Mmmm....There's....more...." Mari muttered with an annoyed sigh. This battle...maybe it was her apathy, maybe it was how tired she was - but it seemed to drag on so long that time felt almost liquid. Hours felt like minutes, and yet minutes felt like hours. It was all very confusing and discombobulating. Mari just wanted to run off and take a nap - but she had a job to do - and so many people had fumbled in the heat of the previous strike. Falling over themselves, each other - tendrils... It was like the last burst of energy from the group been ever so slightly misplaced.

    Mari activated her strongest skill - and went to charge at the last Shadow Horror, pausing briefly to catch sight of @Beatjust...up and leaving the battlefield.

    What the hell?

    She shook her head, no time to question his actions. No, attack first. Her sharp eyes turned back to the Shadow Horror as she charged up and struck a heavy blow. wiping out over half its remaining health. Not long now....


    Passive: En +5
    Action: Charged Dimension Stampede> Shadow Horror #8 ROLLING

    • [x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above. 
     

    ID:186860 BD:9 CRITICAL +1 DAMAGE
    23+1+5=29 x 15= 435-75=360

    Shadow Horror #8 | HP: 142/1500 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3 -360 DAM

    [H:2,2] Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 146/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15
    [H:2,2] ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 54/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
    [H:0] Mari HP: 1910/1910 | EN: 65/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5 | KEEN
    [H:0] @Hidden | HP: 1510/1510 | EN: 52/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5
    [H:0] @Pinball | HP: 1350/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant |  | EN REGEN: 5
    [H:0] Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 101/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]

  8. What the fuck are you doing?” Mari said as she stood. Hands still tied behind her back. It made no sense. Wasn’t he with them? Weren’t they working together. If Mari was able to, she’d have face palmed. And again, the comment on her harness. She didn’t know what to make of this. His comrades lay groaning in the snow - struggling to upright themselves. 

    “Are you fuckin stupid?”

    Vayl just shrugged and launched the snowball in his hands.  It sailed right by Landon’s head, leaving a trail of white, glittery sparkles in the air as it passed.  The would-be boss grinned.  It melted an instant later.

    *THUMP*

    *SHHHHHH*

    *WHUMP*

    It wasn’t the man, but the tree behind and above him that was the target.  The ball hit with enough force to rattle every branch all the way to the top, thirty feet above them.  And every drop of ice and snow that previously clung to it came crashing down on Landon’s head.

    Mari groaned. This wasn’t helping the situation. Why was he doing this? Why was he helping her and acting so cavalier? Did he really not understand the situation? “No one was going to-” Mari started then sighed as she watched the snowball sail over her head and hit the tree branch, burying Landon. She wasn’t sure who was worse, the aggressive men or the clueless one.

    “STOP!” She shouted, her voice reverberating, echoes bouncing off the thin birch trees around them. “YOU!” She pointed her head in the direction of Avery. “Grow a fuckin’ backbone instead of standing on the sidelines.” She swivelled her head to Lark - unable to point. “And YOU! Learn to tie knots quicker dumbass. I could have easily picked up my spear and ran it through you. If you’re going to capture someone do it quickly.” 

    Mari couldn’t exactly talk to Landon, he was covered in snow. So instead she turned her ire and frustration to Vayl. “And you- Who the fuck takes this shit lightly? I’m a murderer. And you’re out here throwing fuckin’ snowballs like it’s all a merry laugh!”

    She was done holding things back. Placating stupid people. IF they hated her, so be it. If they feared her, that was fine. “Ughhh… if I were anyone else you’d all be dumb and dead. Don’t you care about your lives?” 


    This whole situation seemed comical, stupid even. And Mari wasn’t sure how she was supposed to react. The clueless idiot grinned and lifted up his hand, as though were were gonna throw another snowball.  “THat’s ENOUGH!” Mari said as she stepped forward, head lowered - ready to headbutt him.

    WHAM

    @Vayl

  9. Mari  wasn’t afraid of death. She wasn’t afraid of these men, who were more busy fighting amongst each other than themselves. She shrugged and compiled, moving her arms behind her back. “You can imprison me, torture me, kill me. I don’t care.” Her voice was cold. It was a little relieving to be. Mari wasn’t placating these guys. She wasn’t trying to be nice. She wasn’t forcing a facade. “But I refuse to let hunters hurt the kid.”

    She was angry. At what she could only assume were PKer hunters - who were not only after her, but someone in her care. With a quick motion Lark was behind her, wrapping ropes around her wrists to stop her from trying to equip any other items or access her menu. So this was it huh? Fine. Let them try.

    “Hurt?  We’re here to save him.” Came Avery’s reply. “You’re - You’re planning to do-”

    “Do what?” Mari asked, tilting her head toward Avery and Vayl, regarding them both. “Go on.” Mari forced herself to grin. “Please, tell me what I plan to do. Tell me what's going through my head.”
     

    Her eyes shifted to the man with a dark brown mop of hair on his head - he didn’t seem as clued in as the others. “You know…” the bile and venom left her voice. “They’re right. I have...taken lives but-” She turned back to Landon - who still had his weapon hovering dangerously close to her throat.

    “You’re all wrong about the kid. I’m lookin’ after him. Nothing more, nothing less. I-”

    “Can it!” Came Landons voice, booming over hers. “You’ve killed! Taken families from their homes. Yet you think you can sit there and act better than us because levels dictate you can fight on the frontlines? Do you really think you deserve freedom?”

    Mari shook her head. “Honestly...I don’t.”

    @Vayl

  10. “Dunno much about him. All I know is that Killers been sighted around a kid and that don’t sit right with me.” Landon muttered.

    “Didn’t she….” Avery cleared his throat and made a motion with his hands, though it looked nigh impossible to interpret. ‘You know…”

    “Yeh, her kin.” Added Lark solemnly.

    Too absorbed by the fluffy pom-pom flopping around from his new headwear, Vayl paid them little attention.  It had been too long since he’d had a decent snowball fight, and lifted his spirit to have set those kids up for the most epic, powdery showdown in Snowfrost had ever seen, at least since last week.

    The group of four had begun down the path from Snowfrost, and open fields turned into spotted trees as they neared the forest. Thin trunks of birch lined the path. They began to separate into a clearing, where Mari sat.

    Mari glanced up from her bread at the four men - cleared her throat, then shifted away a few feet from her weapon - further down the fallen log she had sat on then went back to eating. If she paid the group no mind, maybe they’d pass her - this was a thoroughfare after all. They could be heading to a dungeon - or a quest. It was none of her business. 

    “...what do you want?” Came Mari’s question as Landon and Avery stepped up to her - blocking her face from the light, they had signalled for Lark and Vayl to shift behind her. Mari glanced at the other two in the group. Then sighed heavily as she placed the roll carefully down beside her. Why today of all days? 

    Look, before ya’ll...try anything I don’t want anyone level three or below hittin’ me.” Mari pointed to her armour - if one could call it that, it was nothing more than a thin leather harness that wrapped around her chest. Its cracks glowed - but beyond that nothing insidious. “This has flame aura - and anyone too low levelled would…’ Mari didn’t want to continue the sentence. But after her discussion with Raidou she knew she had to take that back. That small arrogant spark. 

    His hands tucked firmly into a pair of fur-lined pockets, with an oblivious smile pasted to his chiseled chin, Vayl had his eyes on the landscape rather than the unpleasant exchange.  That is, until the woman the others were harassing made her threat.  It caught his attention, causing his brow to rise in surprise as he turned and actually took a proper look at her.  She was short, but so was just about everyone.  That was nothing new.  It was a bold boast from someone who looked like hell, but there were plenty of things that could do that.  Her crystal-thingy also looked different.  He dismissed it, thinking that it was some sort of level indicator or something.  Vayl’s cares were focused on people, not rules and mechanics. 

    “Wow… so that must make you hot stuff,”  he offered, grinning, and clearly not having fully grasped the nature of the exchange or the situation.  Mari didn’t look impressed.

    “You’ll flat up die. That’s your only warning, if you are that low levelled and are stupid enough to attack.That death is on your hands. Not mine.” 

    “Ay, no problem there. We’re all in the 30’s-40’s.” said Landon, confident. He had failed to ask Vayl what his level was. “We aren’t looking for a fight, we’re looking to take you in.”

    It was enough for the penny to drop and Vayl to realize that his gear was seriously underwhelming compared to the quality of… well, everyone else’s.  

    “You know I’m due to fight on the frontlines in a few days. If you really want to take me to prison, why not wait till another floor is open first. Then do whatever it is you want.” That’s right, be flippant. Nonchalant. Eventually, they’ll get bored.

    “Sorry. Can’t do that. Where’s the kid? Tell us then come quietly there’s a cell in the prison with your name on it.”

    “K-Kid?” Mari asked, genuinely shocked. What on earth...where they talking about Chaser? He was an adult. Or were...oh. They were talking about Aiko. He had an orange marker too. Right? Were these people after him? Mari lowered her voice. “Sorry bubs, but i ain’t tellin’ you shit.”

    @Vayl

  11. "She's been sighted by town again!" Came the voice of a stalwart blonde swordsman. "Last time she managed to slip away but this time." He held up a teleportation crystal in his hand, showing it to his friend. An indescribable boring man, average in every sense of the word. "This time we are gonna corner her and take her to jail."

    Avery, the average man nodded in agreement. "True true. Did you hear? She's been seen with a child. Who knows what she is planning. We have Lark tailing her now…" With a flick of his wrist he opened up his messenger window. 

    "She's alone, and tired. Lark confirmed she hadn't slept the last few days. Her weapon is by her side, unequipped. Thisll be our best chance to grab her. Before she holes herself away in her house."

    Landon, the blonde grinned as he pocketed the crystal. "She won't attack us, word is she's afraid to. It's about time we bring her to justice. We can save that poor boy too."

    Meanwhile

    Said Pker was resting on a fallen log, legs folded to the side. Her weapon, a long polearm with dark colouring and wisps of shadows dancing around its pointed tip sat beside her. It sat half covered in Fresh fallen snow. Mari kept it to her side and away from her because she knew it looked  less…. dangerous. And with her so close to Snowfrost wasn't that for the best? Mari knew she was the subject of ire. And that peace wouldn't come easy to her, not without a long fall off the edge of Aincrad. Though lately...even that didn't seem as appealing anymore.

    Mari had in her hands a loaf of bread that was bordering stale. Dry. Mari wished for a fresh loaf, hot from the oven - she wished she had sweet, thick butter to drizzle into the crevices of the fluffy dough. Instead. She had this. Mari long ago lost contact with the broker who would ferry her food from the town.

    "Maybe I should get Freyd to do it…' Mari mumbled to herself as she tore off another chunk of bread and threw it into her mouth. A sigh followed. No. He seemed busy with other things, and she still wasn't sure where she stood with him. Raidou? No… who else?

    Who else?

  12. editing, roll complete

    "Last health bar...huh..." Mari stared at the Shadow, still nothing more than a child in her eyes. If everyone here had an all out attack, an onslaught, they'd defeat him. Right? He wouldn't just ramp up some ulterior form? 

    "I'd rather be safe than sorry though." Mari said, more to herself than in response to Hidden, who insisted she didn't need help. Mari pulled out a health crystal, she didn't have many of these left, but - if the Shadow Man(baby) were to explode and deal a large amount of damage to everyone, then at least Mari would be confident that everyone in the party would survive. Was she being paranoid? Probably, was she over healing? Most definitely. But she'd rather this than any sort of alternative. Than a repeat of the Hydra.

    Crystals could be recovered. Players could not. So Mari pulled out one of her recovery crystals and crushed it in her hand, sending the glimmering shards towards Hidden. Then she drew out her weapon. If the boss was this low on HP Mari couldn't stand idly by anymore. it was all or nothing.

    Mari wasn't one for words during a fight, she didn't see the need to call out taunts or goad the enemy - to give a heart warming speech. No, action was needed. Quick. Precise. its 2;30am god help me. Her spear dragged across the ground as she ran toward the shadow, lowering her pose to strike quickly at his torso before shifting to a higher slam, using the weight of her entire body in an attempt to slam him on the ground. Mari didn't see if the Shadow had fallen down with her, she didn't have time. Mari rolled back in line with the rest of the players.

    would this be the final roumd? I don't know, its late.


    Inventory: 
    5 x T1 Mass Heal Crystals 30xTier to Party |3 x HP Recovery Crystal II (Heals Target 120HP) X2| Teleport Crystal

    Passive
    +5 En   
    Crystal Heal Hidden > 120HP

    Action Dimension Stampede vs Shadow The Malevolent Crybaby

    ID: 185926  BD: 4 + 6=10-2=8 HIT

    15x23=345-100=245

    • [x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above. 
     

    Shadow Horror #7 | HP: 371/1500 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3

    [H:11,4] Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 146/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15 
    [H:11,4] ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 66/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
    [H:2,0] Mari | HP: 1910/1910 | EN: 65/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5 | KEEN
    [H:4,0] Hidden | HP: 1457/1510 | EN: 52/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5
    [H:0,0] Pinball | HP: 1350/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant |  | EN REGEN: 5
    [H:3,1] Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 102/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]

  13. Mari rubbed the back of her head with a heavy sigh. "Mmm..."  She didn't really have enough energy to attack- and their party was doing rather well, especially compared to others. Hidden. She was the only one who really needed to heal, but - she had her own healing items, right? If so...why wasn't she using them - why wasn't Pinball? Rather...he looked like he wasn't moving at all.  Did he have the same issues as her? had apathy taken over? Did he simply stop caring?  Mari...couldn't blame him, although her apathy was toward her own safety. Her priority was on the others. Making sure everyone was healed safely. That their HP was well within the green, but with how the other groups were faring...it worried her.

    "Our group is holding up quite well...all things considered." 
    But- that didn't mean they could falter. Mari pulled out a glowing crystal and crushed it between her hand, sending it over toward Pinball. She'd keep him safe whilst he was lost within his own head.

    "I gotta wait for my energy reserves to fill up." Mari said, it felt strange - it felt like she had  barely said a word to her comrades. "I'll focus on healing and recovering my Energy - the rest of you, keep fighting. Hidden." Her blue eyes shifted to the other player. "I'll be healing you next." 

    Mari knew most everyone had their own crystals to heal themselves with - but if they were focused on other things. It'd be easy to forget. Besides, this was better than standing around and doing nothing. She may as well be useful whilst she was waiting to recover.

    Passive: + 5 EN
    Uses 1x HP Recovery Crystal II On Pinball - +120 HP

    (3 remain)

    Inventory: 
    5 x T1 Mass Heal Crystals 30xTier to Party |3 x HP Recovery Crystal II (Heals Target 120HP) X3| Teleport Crystal

    [H:11,4] Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 146/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15 
    [H:9,2] ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 74/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
    [H:2,0] Mari | HP: 1910/1910 | EN: 77/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5 | KEEN
    [H:3,0] Hidden | HP: 1247/1510 | EN: 58/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5
    [H:0,0] Pinball | HP: 1350/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant |  | EN REGEN: 5 +120HP
    [H:3,0] Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 110/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | PARRY | [CONCENTRATION: 2/3] | [PARRY: --/2]

  14. "Tandem its like..."

    Times like these, Mari was glad she was a teacher. She found moments like these easier to navigate. "It's like working alongside each other- in conjunction or together like..." She paused as she reached out to clasp his tiny hands between her own. She rolled them one over the other. "See, like this - your hands move and work together. They're separate- but still work together. Think about cogs in a machine or a clock." Mari offered Aiko a smile before letting go of his hands.  "There's nothing wrong with maxing out your weapon skill." Mari reaffirmed as she brushed some snow from his hair. "Some people become focused on it though. So their builds center around that - when there are so many other options. Heck, I had that same issue." Mari batted her chest. "So I speak from my own mistakes!"

    "-There are different quests that provide easy fights, so that shouldn't be too hard right?"

    "Right, and I am always just a message away."

    She covered her mouth, smiling at his small exuberant outburst, claiming that unique people were great. It was...so innocent, he seemed so innocent. It was like a breath of fresh air to see a child here who was still so carefree. Even....if he did have that cursor over his head. Mari glanced back up at it, her smile fading. She wanted to get rid of it, but she couldn't do it alone. Macradon would help, so would Baldur if she asked. The issue wasn't finding people to help, it was getting Aiko to agree to it. with a party of 4 - Mari knew that the three of them could draw all the hate away from him, right? Mari made a mental note to look into how the Redemption quest worked.

    "You know what else? That pumpkin dispensed pumpkin spice coffee. How strange is that! Geez, and people think I'm weird for a floatin' fish." She shook her head. it had been some time since she had heard of or seen Hikoru, it felt like he disappeared completely after their encounter. She heard rumors of him, seems he was a big shot when it came to information trading. Who'd have thunk?"
     

    After an hour they had yet to find anything - and were beginning to head into the forest. Aiko was acting just as Mari suspected. Dragging his feet with a whine. "Tired already?" She quipped. Mari was used to walking up and down several floors to get places, so despite her always feeling fatigued at times, she felt like her stamina was better than others.  "We're coming into the forest now, why not secure a small place for hmm..." She tapped her lip in thought. What word should she use here to make it not sound like they were just taking a break?

    "Reconnaissance, that's what all good assassins do, right? Survey their surroundings?"

    @Iron_Lion

  15. Mari quietly followed under the cloak, there wasn't really anything more to say between them - and she was  a little thankful for that. it was...awkward being this close to others. Despite the fact she had willingly let him fall asleep in his lap, and cry against her - this somehow felt oddly different. Mari took it in a silent stride, refusing to voice anything she felt. The discomfort primarily stemmed from her entering a safe zone. Whilst it was technically possible for PKers to enter safe zones; they'd be chased by guards.

    Not to mention the fear that other players would have seeing an orange cursor in their haven.... Mari didn't want that for anyone. 

    She broke the silence with some lighthearted banter. "That must be a heck of a neat shadow skill thing you have, being able to traffic a criminal in and out of town so easily. You could start some sorta underground - ahem - above ground railroad with that."  She could see why he was so reluctant to tell her about the skill. Others would probably want to get their hands on it, and whilst Mari did think it were useful, she also felt it would be too much trouble to have. 

    Mari snorted as he excused the decor of his house. "Whatever you say, Skeletor."

    Mari was hit with the pleasant smell of coffee when she entered the threshold of his house, and her arms prickled with the sudden warmth. The two had been caught out in the rain - and it wasn't till now that she realized just how cold she was. Mari began to rub her arms as she looked around the room. "You uh...weren't kiddin' about that pumpkin familiar thing, huh?"  Mari stood between the door and the comforting looking chairs. Unsure if she should really sit or not. 

    Make yourself at home

    ....Like she deserved such a thing.
    @Hikoru

  16. (oh hey look what I'm finally doing)

    "I don't have that skill yet either." Mari admitted. She was told a few times that it'd be a useful thing for her to have - but now that she was a spear user Mari felt it less....useful. "I think they'd work in tandem." Mari offered. The kid was asking for her advice after all. "In the past, I'd say you'd wanna max out your weapon skill - but...hmm..." they were walking in the snow now - heading away from her home. Mari's footsteps looking much more refined compared to the chaos that was a child in the snow. Mari couldn't help but snort and smile seeing their trail. "But - I don't think it'd hurt to grab the hide skill sooner. I guess it depends on how quickly you're able to level up, and exactly what kind of things you're getting up to in the meantime. Do you feel like you'd benefit more from the hide skill?"

    Aiko asked if her hair was dyed orange. Mari snorted. "Hah. N-no. It's uhh naturual." She held out her arm to him. "See, naturally ginger- freckles, pale skin, and all. You know though..." She shifted her eyes to the sky. "When I first logged into the game, I had this obtusely coloured cotton candy pink hair. Now that was a dyed colour. I'd walk around wearing all pink because everyone else would wear dark colours - and it was a kinda of a fu-"  Mari coughed, being mindful not to swear too much in front of Aiko. "Screw you to all the people wearing nothing but black." 

    Aiko talked about how he wanted a familiar for company, and Mari just...didn't really have the heart to tell him to not get attached to such a thing. What was the point in having a pet you'd grow to love if you had to abandon it here? It felt like it was one step closer to abandoning the real world and just living here forever - not that Mari ever had any intention to actually return.   "Well, they have potions that let you change your hair colour and eye colour - so I don't think that's too far out of the realm of possibilities. I know that there are also special event items to change your familiar. Thats what that pumpkin thing was about, I'll bet you  a whole bag o' chips that it was a special event item." 

    Mari fell quiet when the soft melody began to play, his innocent question dredged up unwanted memories. "Yeh." Mari said quietly. "Ya can make them loop on crystals." She had done just that, recorded herself playing the violin, a few times. Those rare times she had given them to people she had cared about...it had always backfired. She shook her head and tightened her scarf around her neck. Placing a smile on her face. Right now, Aiko needed her.

    "Let's do a loop around the lake and head into the birch forest. I'll lead us to a small cliffside, between here and there we should find something!"

    @Iron_Lion

  17. Mari waited patiently as Snow took a few silent moments to compose herself. Mari had taken a single deep breath of her own, but had stopped there - when she realized just how close Snow was. Mari could smell her, and just like her namesake, funnily enough. Snow smelt like...well snow. She smelt like the cold fresh snap of air that would hit your lungs when you stepped out your house, hints of pine, and kitchen herbs and spices. A mix of cool and warmth. 

    Mari averted her gaze from Snow when she watched the others blue gaze drift above her head - eyeing the cursor that floated above. Ever lingering, a threat. A warning. Here, sins were worn - clear as day, and Mari had many of them. Mari only returned her gaze to the other woman upon the small lilting voice. Repeating a familiar phrase. 

    Only if you let me be that pillar...

    Mari gave a small snort and managed to give Snow a smile in return. it felt awkward. This felt awkward. Maybe Mari had been too forward with her, now that the heat of the fight had left - and things had begun to settle. Mari slowly began to realize that this may, just may be a little too intimate for two near strangers. "Y-yeh. It goes two ways, that's kinda what a relationship - err, you know. Friendship is." Mari said as she took a step back to give the two some distance, was it warmer? yeh. It was definitely warmer.

    "Friends look out for each other."

    @Snow

  18. Pinballs health was...okay. It wasn't exactly anything too dangerous - nor was Hiddens - but if Mari was the designated 'healer' she'd normally have spammed healing buffs to keep the party at near 100% HP, but- that was in other MMO's, the same couldn't really be said about SAO - one had to be more conservative, which was ironic in a way, since it was also the game with the highest stakes. The rest of the party though - they all had full HP, and Mari felt it a bit of a waste to throw out anything right now. Part of her felt the needles of Pinballs glare - if he were to look her way, but hey - logic won out at this point. He'd survive one hit.

    It's not like the Shadowman-child would pull a move out his ass that'd deal over a thousand damage at once, right? 

    Right.

    Mari sighed as she pushed her fringe back out of her face. What to do then? Attack the weird ass shadow horror? Attack the Manchild? Decisions, decisions...Mari contemplated this, and as she did, she pulled a small chocolate bar out of her pocket. She began to unwrap the bar - the crinkle of the wrapper strangely loud as it echoed in the chamber around the fight. Mari paused for a moment, looked around, then continued to open it.  

    Mari took one large bite, chewed - then her face scrunched up as she remembered that she did not like sweet things. So threw the bar toward Shadow - "Should probably attack...'


    You're not you when you're hungry



    Case study: How fame made Snickers' 'You're not you when you're hungry'  campaign a success | Campaign US

     

    After throwing the discarded candy bar Mari sprung forth, this would be an attack- then she could hang back next round. but she had the feeling that her team mates would be more than pissed at her if she stood around and did nothing. Her attack was quick, slashing through the manchild - during her onslaught Mari had stomped on the discarded chocolate bar, smooshing it into the ground. haha. Smoosh. I'm tired. send help.

    falling in line with her comrades Mari grimaced, was it even worth the attack? It felt like she barely took off a sliver.

    Oh well, lesson learned. Go hard or go home next time.

     

    Passive: +3 EN +110 BH
    -11 EN

    x10] Vent Forth (11 Energy) - A five-hit skill that employs three spinning slashes, concluded with one final thrust.

    BD: 6+6=12-2=10
    23x10=230-150=
    80 Damage.
     

    Shadow Horror #3 | HP: 1064/1500 | DMG: 300 | MIT: 75 | ACC: 3

    [H:7,5] Macradon | HP: 1985/1985 | EN: 160/191 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 194 | HLY: 12 | VO: 198 | PHASE | REC: 6 | FRTHRNS: 21, 6 DOT | BH: 114 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | LD: 5 | EN REGEN: 5 | FRAURA: 15 | [PARRY: 0/2]
    [H:5,0] ChaseR | HP: 1690/1690 | EN: 89/148 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 106 | HLY: 12 | BRN: 12 | TXV: 24 | PRLYZ: 8+ | VD: 84 | HBS: 16 | LD: 8 | Dote: 3 | DoT -27 | BH: 99 | EN REGEN: 5 | FIGHTING SPIRIT | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]
    [H:1,0] Mari | HP: 1910/1910 | EN: 70/170 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 4 | MIT: 88 | FLN: 6 | VO: 191 | FLAURA: 15 | KEEN: 1 | KEEN | Dote: 3 | Dot: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 110 | EN REGEN: 5  -11 EN
    [H:2,0] Hidden | HP: 1378/1510 | EN: 64/130 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 5 | MIT: 79 | HLY: 8 | VO: 226 | LD: 3 | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant | BH: 90 | EN REGEN: 5
    [H:0,0] Pinball | HP: 1230/1500 | EN: 117/132 | DMG: 23 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 15 | BH: 105 | FRZ: 36/8-10 | Phase | Dote: 3 | DoT: -27 | Oxidant |  | EN REGEN: 5
    [H:2,0] Jomei | HP: 1705/1705 | EN: 124/169 | DMG: 21 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 6 | MIT: 88 | BRN: 36 | BLI: 36 | HB: 16 | BH: 100 | EN REGEN: 5 | CONC 2/3 | PARRY | [PARRY: --/2]

  19. Mari was expecting a lot of things, none of which were Snow's fault.
    She expected fear. Screaming, and yelling. She expected Snow to retreat, to leave Mari alone amidst a flurry of snow and fractal monster remnants.
     

    But-

    What came was warmth. The gentle tug of shaking arms. A irrevocable feeling of comfort flowed forth from that timid embrace. It felt like time stood still, there was no cold winds, they weren't fighting for their lives in a tower. It was just them. In this moment, at the axis of their own private little world. "S-Snow-" Mari wasn't sure how to respond. The act left her breathless, and unexpected tears of her own had fallen down her face. Thin traces of loneliness, yearning for someone to acknowledge her. In a quick motion Mari wiped them away. This moment was not for her. It was for Snow. 

    Slowly but surely Mari's hands wrapped back around Snow, and she squeezed tight, as though she were afraid this moment would end too soon, or that Snow would dissipate between her fingertips. "You won't." The promise felt heavy as they left Mari's trembling lips. But she swallowed, and repeated the words with more resolve. "You won't, Snow." It was an impossible promise, right? Mari hated such things, so why now? Why was she promising this small, precious porcelain woman the world?

    As Snow stepped back Mari unraveled part of her scarf from her neck and gently wrapped it around Snows. Mari was never good with this sort of thing, but it was clear Snow needed it. Hell, Mari did too. "You won't be alone. I'm always just a message away." Was she? it wasn't like Mari could teleport instantly to other areas without being injured by the towns guards. She'd have to run through hell. But - for snow. Yeh...for Snow she'd do that. It was in-explainable, but Mari wanted to do everything she could to protect this other woman, and her tears. "I can't promise you much, but I can promise you, if you call." Mari paused and offered Snow another smile.

    "I'll come running."

    @Snow

  20. All eyes were on her.

    Great. yup. This is exactly what Mari wanted. To be the center of attention, oh boy howdy does she thrive off it!  The mighty Pker, bane to the players of Aincrad! Fear here as she....stands there looking like she had crawled across a forest floor. Twigs in her unkempt hair. Eyes lined with dark circles, and more baggage than the most sorrow stricken anime protagonist. Mari tugged on her scarf and cleared her throat. She wanted to be anywhere, but here. 

    "Not just the meeting, the guild completely. I just...don't fuckin' get it."

    Mari got it. Chaser was a teenager, right? Thrown into this world, being messed around - having people he thought he trusted turn on him, feeling like the world was against him. Yeh she got it. "Is it really that much of a loss?" Mari asked, it was a rhetorical question, so she continued without pause. "I get what ya'll are doing..." She gestured to the group of them. "Here - but this sort of setup would kinda get on anyones nerves, let alone some teenager who just feels frustrated."  Granted, Mari didn't really approve of how much Chaser was going out of his way for her - and on her behalf, but - she'd be lying if she didn't say she thought it was...kinda nice, in an extremely tiring way. He keeps calling her Ma - which just goes to show what kind of impression Mari must have left on him.

    It was Eruda's turn to talk now, Eruda.... why did that name sound familiar? 

    Mari stared at the blonde for a few moments before it clicked.

    Oh

    That was the message she deleted earlier. Right. Right. It was probably an invitation to this...whatever this gathering was. Mari cleared her throat, best not tell the girl that she had deleted the message without a second thought. Mari really, really didn't want to bother with retelling stuff she'd rather leave behind. "Look. I really can't be bothered going into detail about it all, again." Mari started as she continued to tug on her scarf. "And if I'm being honest, I kinda hate the wording ya used 'did what he felt needed to be done'-" Mari paused, she didn't want to go on the attack here. She knew she was short fused - and that rarely, if ever - did her words actually connect correctly. Something about being blunt and an asshole. 'You're engineering your own oblivion'   Right. Freyd himself had said that hadn't he? Mari sighed and closed her eyes.

    Thankfully, before Mari could shove her foot any further into her mouth Freyd spoke up. "I think Chaser has a lot to process." Mari shifted gears after Freyd's insight. "Leave him be, I told Freyd that Chaser would be under my protection if need be.  ya wanna know what I'm feeling? Bloody tired. I feel like there is no real need for me to be here. I came here to make sure Chaser didn't do anything too outta line, and to make sure he didn't feel like he was being ganged up on - but he's not here now soo..."  Mari shrugged. So - was there a real point to her being here?

    She sighed as she saw she had a message from Chaser; she had to admit she kinda agreed with him, this felt like a waste of time - but if she could help clear his name, even a little - would that be worth it?
    Mari quietly responded to him, in her typical very short fashion.
    ---

    To: @ChaseR
    From: Mari
    I came to make sure you were okay. you had left.
    We should catch up soon.
    --

     

     

  21. A few hours earlier….


    Mari stared distastefully at the skewered meat roasting over the fire - what was it? A lizard? Rat? A mix of the two? Mari wasn't sure. She wasn't even sure she cared any more. Mari had long forgone the luxury of 'good' food. Having felt hungry Mari decided she'd try to make do with what nature provided her. But - the acrid smell that came from the meat turned her off. With a sigh Mari stood from her seated position and picked up the skewer, only to discard it with a strong throw over her shoulder. "Eurgh." She'd rather just go hungry.

    "Mari.  We need to talk."

    Now there is a voice she didn't expect to hear. Mari wasn't sure what she was feeling. Freyd was still a very difficult person to read, each time Mari felt like she had found some sort of equal ground with him, she found herself stumbling again. The last time they spoke…


    It wasn’t really good was it?

    “Freyd. Welcome to my humble abode.” A wry smile forced itself onto her face as she gestured to the makeshift campsite around her. A fire, a shoddy looking tent, and a misshapen rock that looked like a rather uncomfortable chair.  “What do you need?”


    If she kept it amicable that’d be fine, right? SHe had concerns about how he felt - but they’d have to be set aside for now. He did after all, come all the way here. Though the question did linger, how did he find her so easily?
     


    “Rustic,” he replied, trying to be cheerful, and failing badly in the process.  “Chase is meeting with the rest of the guild over, you know.”  A vague hand wave was about as useful an explanation, but they both knew the topic.  “It made sense not to be anywhere nearby.  Since some time had passed, and the raid was pending.  I…”   A black gloved hand rubbed at a hidden nose beneath his ever present hood.  “I guess I just wanted to see how you were, after that mess.”  His head popped up, visibly signifying thought, just as a small honey-glazed bun appeared in hand.  “And I brought lunch!  Don’t worry.  Freya makes them.  They’re tasty without much sweetness.”

     

    Mari quietly listened to him, knowing better than to interrupt. “Ah…” Freyd had said something about that hadn’t he? That he’d have to bring Chaser’s actions to the guild. Mari grimaced as she scratched her head, exhaling. “Ya said you needed me there too huh? So you’re trying to bribe me with food?” It was meant to be a joke, but as usual - her words fell flat, and sounded more like an accusation or an insult. A byproduct of her constant exhaustion and bubbling apathy.  If she were being honest, Mari really didn’t want to deal with it all. She was...tired. But - a promise is a promise.

    Mari reached out, taking the token. Even if she didn’t really feel like eating anything sweet. Mari trudged to the rock and sat herself down on it, picking a tiny piece off the roll and placing it into her mouth, chewing for a moment. How was she?

    How am I?

    “Tired.” Came her reply. “I’m just...tired. Where is this meeting taking place?”

    “Floor twenty one, in the Forest of Memories.  It’s near our guild hall and easily definable as neutral ground.”  Even as he said the name of the place, Freyd knew that might keep her away.  “I’m not here to push you to attend.  Honestly, this may be your best out, but you deserved to know, one way or the other.”   It felt inappropriate to stand, hovering at a distance that might also, somehow be construed as looming.  A nearby stump would suffice, and so he sat.  “Clock is ticking, I guess.”  His eyes drifted to the walls of the labyrinth beyond.  “I wasn’t sure that you’d attend, but glad to see that you made it up here.  If you intend to go, I can walk with you or keep my distance, as you please.”

     

    Mari continued to pick at the bun. If she were to leave now...it’d probably take her a few hours to get there. Would the meeting even still be happening by the time she arrived? “I am meant to be there as some sort of character witness support to Chase...mmm….but my presence could be an issue.”  She was thinking aloud, and more focused on her own thoughts than what Freyd was doing. Just as she was weighing her options a message popped up.

    “Ah.Hang on…”  It was from Chaser. “He’s actually just….” She fell silent when she read what he had to say.  

     

     If Raidou or anyone asks anything of you, don't go Ma. It's a waste of time. I can tell you what happened if you want me to.

     

    He didn’t want her to go? Raidou...he was involved to. “I’m unsure if the meeting will still be happening but…” Chasers message had the opposite effect. The fact that he was trying so hard to ward her away made Mari realize that he probably needed someone there. “It’d take me a few hours.”

    Freyd grabbed a nearby stick, poking the ground randomly with it, letting Mari run through her thinking.  “The guild heard my side.  They wanted to hear yours and Chase’s as well.  They’d wait, if you were to go.”

     

    Mari left the remnants of the roll on the stone, all in all at most a bite would have been eaten. “If you want to guide me, you can.”  She turned to look at him, properly look at him in that moment. She hesitated, “I wouldn’t mind the company.” IT wasn’t exactly a honey’d bread roll -but it was an olive branch, all the same.

     

    A smile graced the shadows as they lifted with his head.  “Certainly.  Shall I let them know we’re coming?”  Mari nodded in response. No one noticed the happy face drawn on the ground.

     

    The trek to the meeting was...mostly silent. Both Freyd and Mari knowing better than to fill the silence with awkward banter. Mari had explained that she was so high up, because she was waiting for the boss battle, and didn’t want to make the trek which would take a week at least, too close to the actual battle itself.  No one asked many prying questions of the other - and despite her exhaustion Mari kept pace with Freyd.

    The Whisper’s pace, by comparison, was deliberately slowed.  If she was going to do this, his only intention was that it occur on her terms.  She’d been through enough already, and this was Chase’s mess, now, so far as he was concerned.  Likewise, he respected their mutual silence, knowing the toll recent weeks had taken.  The point was not to be a burden.

     

    ---

     

    Present

    ----


    Mari slowly stepped into the clearing in the forest; following the voices. It appeared that she had just missed something...the tension was tight, and the strangers faces had various looks of concern upon them, all barring Raidou - who had his usual stoic look hidden behind his glasses.

    Mari cleared her throat. “It took me some time but freyd….’ she paused. Someone was missing. “Is this not...Chasers uh, hearing?”  the tired looking player was a far cry from the monster the rumours had once portrayed her to be. 

  22. It was a strange feeling. It felt heavy, sinking. Painful. Like someone had ripped her heart out and thrown it hard against the floor of her stomach. perhaps that last one was a tad dramatic. Mari could say though, it felt like she was on the downward track of a large rollercoaster. 

     

    "A-Ah."  Her confident stride in, her goal of trying to join the group, it all began to fizzle out, fall apart. Right. Right. Right. Of course Snow would look away. Mari took a step backward. Feeling the frame of the door against her spine. She closed her eyes. Right. No, Mari had been awkward as hell in their last encounter hadn't she? 'that won't happen again because I'm here'  That's what she'd had said, right? Fuck. That was fucking hammy as hell. No wonder Snow couldn't look at Mari.

    Mari slapped her face with a small groan of embarrassment. She'd even wiped Snow's tears away. Just what kind of dumb ass impression did Mari leave on the poor woman?  

    "WELL!" Mari lowered her hand and crossed her arms over her chest, her exclamation loud enough for all in the room to hear. "I see everything is, uh- In order! yeh. Good job." She clapped her hands a few times before turning on her heel to walk out, yup. this was awkward.
     

     

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