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Mari flashed Oscar a look, as if to say 'No... you don't...' When he said he knew enough. She wasn't going to press it. Her being here was supposed to be the calm after the storm. A sweet reprise after a battle so long and hard fought for. She knew how hard Oscar fought for his own beliefs, his own fight. It's how they had managed to reconnect. Memories of him falling apart by the lake, struggling with shaking hands tangled in his hair - Mari knew the signs of wavering sanity. She had lived them. "Oscar..." His name, spoken softly, equal parts concern and care. He always did this, waved her aw

Where she was too afraid to make that connection, he was not. Tender and firm he pressed forward, breaching that gap and capturing her lips in his. In that single kiss of sweetness and passion, a million thoughts and feelings compressed into one single moment and exploding into barely restrained fevor. Alinta didn’t realize just how soft, how real someone could feel in this game. The tremble, the gasp as the two fell away to their passions. The most vulnerable admission one could make. Sharing a deepening of affection and feeling. Tangled against each other. And in his kiss…she was home.

The flowers fell out of his hand, laying gently on the grass and making a barely audible rustle, few pixels pretending to be flowers, shining a little before the glow started to go away. But it was not something he understood. Not really. To him it seemed that her warmth was the only thing that existed in the whole universe and it was all his senses, every thought, every beat of his heart were caught by it. Her arms. Her scent. Her trembling voice. It was disorienting, in the most beautiful way possible. The weight of the world, this strange, digital one they were trapped in, fell aw

10/28/25 (Crafting Respite: 249782, Ambition: 251234, Atelier (Ext. | +2 EXP, +1 Attempt, Goblet of Truth (Tablet) | +1 CD) Roll: ID# CD: LD: Quality Count Experience Ambition Mod 1 256039 CD: 1 +1 LD: 7 Critical Failure - 7 (+6 Ambition) 2 256040 CD: 9

“I know enough,” Oscar said. Best to not get too close. Last thing he needed was the guilt that came from humanizing his targets. His last mental had brought him to the edge of Aincrad - almost careening off of it. It was a complicated thing, his little blood feud. He was sure that, at some point, the members had their reasons. But that had long since become irrelevant. So long as their mission was to kill other Players, someone needed to be the one to kill them back. “Shop talk is boring, anyway,” he said, an air of conclusion to his tone. He’d not brought Mari here to plunder her for in

Scar told her he hadn’t planned this, and Alinta, not knowing any better, believed his sheepish lie at that moment. She laughed, “Haha. Could’ve fooled me. I didn’t know places like this existed….and this is only the first floor.” Such a sweet gesture, nothing more than one offer to spend time together - and already Alinta was realizing how much she missed. Too busy being afraid to live. Alinta had met people in Aincrad, they had come and gone, like little blips on a radar - sailing off to sea. To greater things. Before Scar the closest thing she had to a companion was Oscar, and well, he was

THREAD SUMMARY Experience | NUM / 5 * 10 = NUM + 5000 = NUM experience Col | 10,000 (quest) = 10,000 col Quest | Totems unlocked! Other | 1 mon

—ACANTHUS?! <<She is right here, Counselor.>> WHAT HAPPENED. REPORT—NOW. <<Her data "flickered." It bounced to another node and returned in the span of .384 seconds. Her attribute have reset. Her health and energy are fully recovered, and all cooldowns are reset.>> SO SHE WAS ALTERING THE SIMULATION AGAIN. <<That is a possible explanation.>> The voice accepted the theory without further question. SO USER ACANTHUS HAS BECOME UNSTABLE FOR THE TIME BEING. WE CANNOT RISK VIEWING THE CURRENT CONFRONTATION. ABORT, AND REVERT TO MONITO

Jack smiled as Alinta spoke, watching how the sunset painted her in hues of amber and rose gold. Every word she said carried that mix of sincerity and hesitation he'd come to recognize in her, the same blend that drew him closer every time. The fact that she is not like the rest of the people in the world which he has met, he realized. She felt genuine, vulnerable even, and that made her glow in a way nothing else could. When she asked if he'd planned out their day his breath caught for a second. The edges of his lips moved up in a guilty smile, and he chuckled, trying to brush it off cas

’A world where one can be without worry, and can make a home for themselves?’ Nemo’s question was prodding, as if looking for some sort of justification, or confirmation. Nari and Onora both nodded, though they didn’t say anything in response. The man-drake seemed to understand, however, and turned his gaze back to the creatures in the distance. ’Indeed…if only the remainder of the worlds were anything like this. That would make it…well, it would make this place unnecessary, for starters.’ Nari wanted to argue, had even opened her mouth to voice an opinion in contrast to his commentary, b

’It’s always so peaceful.’ Onora spoke suddenly, causing Nari to turn and glance in her direction. The blonde was looking out across the plains, the leather piece in her hands discarded and forgotten for the time. Her eyes were distant, as if both seeing the garden, and something far beyond it. ’The world seems so distant here, as if nothing but a forgotten memory; or a nightmare that has been left for the waking world…’ Nari couldn’t agree more with the idea of the world being a nightmare, though she was certain they disagreed on the reasons for such a comment. ’It’s a break from the cha

Silence fell between the trio for a time, the sound of her snapping line hitting water or being cast outwards the only sounds beyond the winds, and the atypical creature in the distance. Not that Nari was bothered by it at all – more oft than not, Onora and herself had settled into their living room to relax in the silence that settled over the house as the night fell upon them in earnest. It was a past time that both had come to enjoy, a time when no words or communication was needed, and the presence of the other could simply be enjoyed. Nemo seemed content with it as well, as if readin

The fishing line returned to the water’s depths, the hook sinking out of sight as Nari stored away yet another find. Nothing overtly appealing to her – items that could be identified later on, should she desire their usage. For now, they were little more than a collection that she would maintain for a purpose she had yet to devise. Still, it was becoming easier each time she cast the line, and that was the entire purpose of today’s experience. ’No one doubts you at all, Nemo. That’s all that matters…’ Her words were soft, so soft that she wasn’t entirely sure either of the others had hear

Alinta | [Word Count: 14844/5= 2968.8] * [True Tier: 3] * [Group Factor: 1] = 8906 EXP + 500 EXP =9400 EXP + <<Survival Skill>> + 500 Col Scar | [Word Count: 14844/5 = 2968.8] * [True Tier: 1] * [Group Factor: 1] = 2968.8 EXP + 500 EXP = 3466 EXP + <<Survival Skill>> + 500 Col

’I think that the consideration alone, is a step forward for all, Nemo.’ Onora flashed a smile from beside Nari, an expression that seemed to bring ease to all of them. She wasn’t sure how the woman did it, speaking and expressing in a way that took away the tension, but Nari was glad that she could. ’I don’t think anyone doubts your dedication, desire and perseverance towards the continued preservation of those creatures that lost…everything. I think, and I believe Nari will agree, is simply that we don’t want you to be tarnished with guilt of your actions. Continue being true to who you are,

She’d worried about resentment, anger or some measure of other negative feelings growing between them after her commentary – instead, Nemo seemed to consider her words, as if hearing and thinking about them for the first time. She could see Onora beside her watching the man-drake as she worked, as if intrigued by the sudden awareness that Nemo seemed to be displaying. ’It would be…unkind to call them entirely free, then? Trapped as they are, they might be safer…but are they content? Happy? These are things I had not previously considered. Not taken into account when creating a paradise…’

Past the entrance to the city, with flickering lantern lighting up the night markets. The slight bustle of NPCs and players alike shifting about the floor, buying their wares, keeping company with their raiding parties and partners. Partners... A glance to Scar. He asked if her goodbye meant forever, and Alinta wasn't sure she could answer him. Not properly. She'd like to say it wasn't. That she wanted to see him again but here was that deep seeded uncertainty within her. The voice that kept telling her no, to pull back, and that all this, as nice as it was - was fleeting at best. So despite h

Nari’s eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the newcomer, her eyes searching the face for a few seconds before they re-introduced themselves. For the first time in a long time, a natural smile seemed to flicker across Nari’s face, disappearing as something darker flashed across it, before returning to the more neutral expression she seemed to uphold lately. Polite, but unwelcoming. ’Greetings, Fae. It’s been quite some time, has it not? I barely recognised you, with how you’ve grown.’ Nari knew that it was a statement that held a different impact in this world; a world where one didn’t

Nari had fallen silent as she followed alongside the other two, her eyes casting about the area in search of any dangers, but her head tilted slightly to the left in order to better listen to the commentary from Acanthus. Too much of it sounded familiar, an experience that she might have gone through herself if she didn’t know better. As much as she may have desired to comment, to relay the concrete affirmation that all would be alright, she also knew that such words would fall on deaf ears – one would be alright, or they wouldn’t be. No amount of external pressure or support could change that

None of them spoke for some time. The sound of the wind brushing over the dunes was softer now, no longer howling, just sighing. The storm had spent itself, leaving behind only silence, the faint crunch of their steps, and the quiet between breaths. When she loosened her grip, Jack felt her fingers slip, the space between their palms widening. He could've let it go, probably should've. But something in him resisted the idea of losing that warmth, even for a moment. So, before the space could widen any further, he tightened his hold. Not enough to draw attention, just enough to tell her, I

It was nice to hear about what Scar had been up to the last few days, he had been doing things. Exploring. Learning. What had she been doing? Literally nothing. She explored Tolbana, tried to visit Oscars restaurant, but it was closed. Then … she was just looking up different builds. Trying to figure out what skills to go for. Cooped up in her own little world and yet… here he was. Living his life. Meeting people. “That’s…nice…I haven’t-” "But it's not as fun when I think back to the last time we went out together." “What?” His words caught her off guard. He had fun being buffeted by

They were standing on the edge of surrender, not just towards desire, but to truth. For Oscar, it's the first time in ages he's wanted something sincerely, almost vulnerably. For Winnie, it was the first time she had allowed herself to want something that isn't holy, pure, or sanctioned by some higher calling. The atmosphere around them held a gravity- dangerous and unwavering. The air felt thick, intimate, trembling with anticipation. Everything around them faded, all that was left was the sound of eachothers breath, the sensation of warmth, clothing brushing against skin, flesh meeting

How long had she been standing there; watching Zamek weep over nothing more than pieces of paper? How long had she been holding Scars hand, and so tightly? "Ah.." Alinta loosened her grip, only just enough so that his hand still hung loosely in hers, giving him the opportunity to retreat if he wanted to. "Sorry..." A sheepishly mumbled apology. It wasn't exactly fair to him to do that now, was it? Her eyes traveled back to Zamek. "He's just....its all so human." She was so used to speaking to the NPCs in the starter town, the stores, and merchants...they were far more canned in their response

Shop Post: Apple Crumble Cost of Transaction: 1 Mat Crafter's Profession: Cook Crafter's Rank: 3 Item Name: Apple Crumble Item Tier: 2 Item Type: Desert Item Rarity: Perfect Item Enhancements: 3 LD Craft/Appraisal/Obtainment IDs & Rolls: IFusion of ID256026 + ID256028 = ID256029: CD:11 | LD: 5 Item Description: A beautiful Apple Crumble in a simple white dish.

“Most would call that hedonism,” Oscar replied, his voice muffled against her jaw. There was something intoxicating about this woman. Like the stiffest drink he’d ever had - he couldn’t remember the last time he felt so foggy. There was something about her. The way she carried herself. As if she were partaking in something she had long since denied. Or… Perhaps she was ignorant of its existence. Words spoken just moments prior seemed so far away. But it was in her manner of speech, the way she carried herself. Magnanimous in every sense of the word. Grace that the geniuses of old had the hubri