HikariZX

The game was hard, Ruri was a tough player and the game was only won because Hikari ended up capturing every piece but Ruri's king. "Damn, that was hard... Nice game!" Giving Ruri a slight chuckle, she stopped the bluenette as she was setting up the pieces again. "That's enough for today, Ruri, it's getting late." Pointing outside, both of them could see the sun was going down already. "We should go to bed, yeah?" Getting up and storing the pieces back in their respective drawers, Hikari handed the board back to the NPC and returned to the room. "Hmmm... You should have the bed, there's a futon inside the closet so I'll take that, okay?" Setting the futon down on the floor next to the bed, Hikari unequipped her gear and clothing, instead putting on a white pajama comprised of shorts and a long-sleeved shirt. "We can stay awake a bit longer if you want... wanna talk about something?" Flashing Ruri a smile, Hikari sat on her futon and turned her head away so Ruri could do the same she did before...

Giving a smirk at her friend's chuckle, Hikari responded immediately. "Alrighty then, Rosie~! Let's go now, we have no time to waste!" Running out the door to the cold plains, Hikari found that this coat wasn't going to cut it. Unequipping her armor and coat, Hikari then put on one that Miaki had given her earlier, a fluffy warm black coat that covered her entire body. Putting her gear back on, the chestplate of the armor was now visible, unlike before, where it was hidden by the coat above it. Spirals decorating this piece, Hikari readied her sword and pointed it at the nearest enemy, a white sealion. "Alright, Rosie, let's see what you're made of now!" Getting her stance ready, Hikari charged straight for the monster, not hesitating to hit it square in its ugly, whisker-covered snout.

Combat Dice - 6 - Success! - 5 damage

A gash appearing on the monster's head, Hikari immediately jumped back to avoid its next attack. "Switch!" Shouting to Primrose to aid her, Hikari landed crouched on the snow, her sword and shield ready for every attack.

Sealion - 5/10

Hikari - 17/17

Primrose - 17/17

Making the best snow angel she could, Hikari got tired fast which made Ruri's question seem a lot more disheartening. "Dunno... I'm dead tired, that damn bear took all my energy..." Noticing the sleepiness in Ruri's eyes, Hikari got up. "We should go back to the inn now, maybe they'll have something there we can do!" Seeing Ruri nod and get up sleepily, Hikari grabbed her scarf off the snowman, gently dusting off remains of snow and water, heating it up with her hands. "Here you go..." Wrapping the scarf gently around Ruri's neck, Hikari heated her hands up a bit and took Ruri's right hand to her left. "Well then, let's go?" Walking back to the inn, she could see Ruri clearly embarrassed and, while holding hands was a sign of dating, something they were not doing, Hikari's age made it seem more like an girl escorting her younger sister around than a couple walking to the inn. Opening the door, Hikari let Ruri get in first and then herself, closing it behind her. "Excuse me! Do you have any sort of board games here, like chess or somethin'?" Asking the NPC in charge this question, Hikari relaxed a bit on one of the small benches in front of the bar. "Yes, ma'am, we have a chessboard stored, would you like to use it today?" Her mood lifting instantly, Hikari nodded to the NPC with a smile on her face, taking the board in her hands. "Thank you very much! Ruri, I got something here!" Bowing to the NPC as she exited, Hikari set the board on the table inside their room, opening the drawers to reveal the pieces. Setting up the board, Hikari simply waited for Ruri to say something.

"Perfect!" Her face now coated in childish joy, Hikari dropped to the ground on her back. "Ahahaha! C'mon, you know what to do here!" Giving off a giggly tone, Hikari began to wave her limbs in a circular pattern, much like she did yesterday when she met Ruri... "I love making snow angels..." Noticing Ruri still standing up, Hikari gave a fake pout and grabbed her hand. "Silly, you too!" Dropping down to the ground, Hikari brought Ruri with her, making them both fall down to the same spot."C'mon, Ruri, it's no fun if I'm alone!" Lying simply down on the snow, Hikari looked into Ruri's eyes, the bluenette's face close to hers. A smile still on her face, Hikari just stood there for a while, feeling her face turn redder, though she didn't care much for it at all...

The bluenette's request was accepted, of course, Hikari couldn't resist such a cute tone coming from such a cute girl... "Of course I'll help, Ruri!" Lifting up the large snowball with Ruri, they both placed it on top of the other two, making a perfectly proportioned snowman. "There we go, it's perfect! Thanks for your help, Ruri!" Looking at the bluenette with the sweetest smile she could pull off, Hikari took the twigs and rocks out of her pocket and began adding them to the snowman, first creating the buttons and and the eyes on it with the rocks and then using the twigs to form the arms. "Hmm... let's see now..." Going back to the tree where both her and Ruri had been thrown to before, she noticed it was almost by the edge of Aincrad... "My God, if the tree wasn't here, the bear would've thrown us right off the edge of the world!" A horrified expression on her face, Hikari simply dispelled the thought and continued with what she was doing, picking out a crescent-shaped leaf from the tree and immediately went back to where Ruri was. "There we go..." Placing the leaf on the snowman's head, Hikari formed his mouth, standing there as a smile. "It's pretty good... but it's missing something... do you know what, Ruri?" Thinking a bit about the situation, Hikari waited for Ruri to respond.

Watching the white flag being raised, Hikari stopped her snowball onslaught and continued watching Ruri as she slowly approached the fort. "Hey, you're more accurate than me, I need at least SOME help!" Speaking with a grin on her face, Hikari approached Ruri and leaned in close to her. "Then now..." Their faces close together, Hikari could already see Ruri blushing. Gently opening her mouth a bit, Hikari's next action was completely expected... "Let's build a snowman!" Or not... Parting her face away from Ruri's, Hikari dropped to her knees to start rolling some snow into a large ball... then another smaller one... and a final, even smaller one... "Alright! Ruri, help me out in building it!" Waiting for Ruri to come help her out in making them even bigger, Hikari started gathering some twigs and rocks to decorate it.

Feeling the snowball hit her in the back of her head, Hikari immediately ran opposite Ruri's side. "Oh, that is IT!" A smile appearing on her face Hikari crouched down and called Shiranui over. "Mode change, Tundra Beads!" The wolf howling in response, the fire disappeared from his back, being replaced by a chain of beads rotating around his neck, acting like a collar.

"There we go, Bizzard!" An asterisk symbol being traced across the fluffy snow, Shiranui howled again as the air froze around him, creating more snow for Hikari to use. "There we go now!" Quickly making her fort, she still had a tremendous supply of snowballs and a companion to defend her. "Alright, Ruri, have at you!" Picking up a snowball from the pyramid, Hikari began throwing them like a barrage, non-stop, all aiming for Ruri's figure like a machine-gun that just went haywire. "Shiranui, prepare to change to the Solar Flare!" Another howl emitted from the snout of the white wolf, the chain around his neck began to disappear as a fiery figure started to emerge. "Can you knock him out of it while he's preparing?!" Shouting a challenge at Ruri, Hikari continued her onslaught of snowballs, always unrelenting.

Feeling Ruri's warmth through the hug was bliss for Hikari, she really wanted to protect this girl and be with her. Though she didn't really know what to do with items, her common sense just screamed that the hook she felt could be attached, even in a virtual world where real life rules didn't apply as often. "Make a snowman? Probably..." The question proposed by the bluenette intrigued Hikari, so she dropped to her knees and unequipped her gear, immediately starting to form a snow ball, making sure there were no rocks in it. "Watch out!" Flashing a sly smile, Hikari waited until Ruri looked at her and through the soft snowball straight at her face, giving out a giggle afterwards.

A gentle smile on her face as she got up, Hikari turned to Ruri. "Of course, Ruri, she's all yours. But first, let me show you something." Turning Bear-chan around, Hikari revealed a little hook on her back. "You see here? It's to attach it to your belt. Here, lemme do it." Crouching down to match her height to Ruri, Hikari hooked the bear on the bluenette's belt opposite that of her katana's sheath. "There ya go, all ready!" Getting up and stepping back a bit, Hikari let Ruri take in the feeling of having a second item hanging from her belt. "You take it off like this..." Reaching down into the bear's hook again, Hikari lifted a little nub on the outside of it to disconnect the hook. Taking now the bear back and handing it to Ruri, she felt warm inside, a feeling she hadn't felt for a very long time... love...

"To the field, duh!" Teasing her a bit, Hikari continued dragging her friend along, speeding up a bit every few moments, but slowing down when she felt Prim couldn't keep up. Reaching the front gate of the town in just a few short minutes, Hikari let go of her friend's hand and put her hands to her knees. "Huff... puff... Nice job... keeping up..." Giving her a thumbs up and flashing her a smile again, Hikari got back into posture and pointed at the gate. "There, just outside is where we'll be going!" Simply looking at the exhausted Primrose, Hikari approached her and gave her a light pat on the back. "You okay, Rosie?" Flashing her a smile again, Hikari sat on the floor and waited for her friend to catch her breath.

Still giving out that sly smile, Hikari got back a bit and equipped her sword, making it hang from her belt. "Alrighty, then, shall we go?" Walking ahead a little bit, Hikari turned her head to Primrose once again. "No spacing out now, Rosie, let's go!" Giving her a full blown smile, Hikari grabbed her friend's hand and started running to the town gate, dragging Primrose with her. "Don't lag behind now!" Giving her another smile, Hikari started to run even faster, her speed-type armor helping out a lot.

"Nah, just a little gang of misfits like me." She had to cheer her up, Hikari would never let a friend die. "I promise you, as long as you're my friend, I will NEVER let you die!" Her expression strong and her will stronger, Hikari assured to Primrose that she'd survive. "'Cuz you know what? I don't want you to believe in me. I don't want you to believe in the you that believes in me. The one you should always believe in, is the you that believes in yourself." Bringing her hands to her pocket, Hikari brought out a pack of tissues she always kept with her. "C'mere." Bringing her hands closer to Primrose's face, Hikari wiped away her tears. "I don't want to see you moping again, okay? You're strong, stronger than most people, and I believe you will survive." Standing up, Hikari let the sun shine on Prim's face, trying to see if she could snap her out. "Let's go, then, our adventure hasn't even started yet!" Flashing a sly smile, Hikari extended her hand out to Primrose again, hoping to have gotten her cheered up.

Giving a slight crouch to meet the seated Primrose's face. "You don't need to worry about that, I'm gonna clear this game, I promise." Giving a determined look to her friend, Hikari got back up and relaxed her body. "But I'm gonna need your help." Turning to Primrose once again, Hikari continued having a look of pure determination siting straight on her face. "But I need your help! Promise me, don't forget who you are! Stand with me at the final boss, strike him down with me! Even if we're in different guilds, we need to stand together to beat this game!" Giving out a fistpump and striking a pose, Hikari exclaimed suddenly. "Our swords are the ones that pierce the heavens! We don't believe in others and we don't believe that others believe in us!" Her coat swinging in the wind, Hikari's naked left arm stood proudly illuminated by the morning sunlight. "No, we believe in this group, who believes in itself! And we together, shall pierce the heavens!" Her quote was changed but she figured it did the job. Relaxing herself once more, Hikari kept a smile up and asked Primrose. "I don't ask you to join our guild, but at least join our group." Extending a hand out to her as a sign of friendship, Hikari simply waited for her friend, hoping she'd at least help her clear this accursed game.

Prim's answers didn't satisfy Hikari enough, she knew there was something bothering her and she couldn't stand it. "Rosey, you know that won't cut it!" Getting up and putting her arms on her hips, Hikari pouted and looked back at Primrose. "I'm your friend, aren't I, you can tell me what's wrong, I'll listen!" Trying to cheer Primrose up, Hikari just simply stood there looking at her friend in white clothing, contrasting against her black themed attire perfectly.

Seeing Ruri and just and kill the boss, Hikari threw her sword on the ground and ran to where she was gonna land, catching her in her arms. "Yeah... I knew you could do it, Ruri..." A gentle smile appearing on her face, she brought Ruri closer to her and gave her a tight hug. "I'm glad you're safe..." Letting Ruri stand on her own, Hikari picked up her sword and sheathed it before turning again to the bluenette. "Did it drop anything?" Seeing a chest on the ground where the bear had once been, Hikari went before it and knelt down to lift the cover up, hopefully finding something useful...

«Event Boss Loot Chest»

>1-4: The chest contains no mats.

5-8: The chest contains three materials.

9-13: The chest contains four materials.

14-17: The chest contains five materials

18-19: The chest contains six materials.

20: The chest contains ten materials.

Opening the chest simply revealed a lone silver colored teddy bear with a pink bow on its head and a cute cyan coat. "Hey, Ruri, look at this!" Calling the bluenette over, Hikari inspected the bear's description.

Name: Bear-chan

Type: Fashion Accessory

Quality: Unique

Description: A silvery white stuffed bear wearing a cyan coat and a pink bow. While not doing anything itself, Bear-chan inspires courage in anyone who holds her.

Abilities: none (OOC: it's an RP item : P)

Ruri's hug did wonders to lift Hikari's spirit, the silvonde girl felt as if she could do anything with Ruri beside her. "Hehe... Ruri, I should really start packing, you know?" Getting up and breaking the hug reluctantly, Hikari pushed Ruri away a bit. "Go on do what you have to for now, okay? I'll call you when I'm finished. Seeing Ruri off, Hikari realized she was standing outside still in her crafting outfit. "Oh, shoot, gotta get inside...!" Closing and locking the door behind her, Hikari equipped her best coat, World's Eye and moved on to store everything inside the shop in her inventory. About an hour later, everything was neatly organized in her inventory. "There we go, that should do it..." Wiping a bead of sweat off her fore head, Hikari left the shop and locked the door, navigating through a menu to release ownership of it and started walking to the teleport gate, heading for Snowfrost Town. The new shop she got was incredibly large, though not as much as some shops she had seen. It was little more than two shops stapled together and contained both a catwalk and a forging space, perfect for either a performer or a blacksmith. Setting down all of her gear, Hikari noticed a door by the forge, closed and with no light coming off it. Inside the door was a small bedroom with two simple beds, perfect for exactly what she wanted to do with it. Unequipping her gear, Hikari sat on one of the beds and messaged Ruri, stating the location of the shop and lied down, exhausted after this whole day and fell into a light sleep...

Seeing her best friend walk through the door to her place, Hikari's spirits were instantly lifted. Hikari had started sleeping in her shop to avoid spending money on inns and Shiranui would provide both heat and comfort so it was better for her. Getting up from her sleeping bag, Hikari walked over to the front of the shop in just a loose tank top and some shorts, her usual crafting attire. "Hey Ruri! *yaaaawwwnnnnn* How's it goin'?" Grogginess still in her eyes, Hikari gave Ruri a light smile while rubbing her eyes. Ruri's profession, if she remembeared correctly, was performer, which, while not useless, was still one of the less useful professions. "Hmmm, I have an idea then!" Her eyes opening up more and her smile widening, Hikari proposed something strange to Ruri. "How about we both open up a shop together? I'm moving to the fourth floor later, so we can make my new place into a bar as well!" Waiting for Ruri's reaction, Hikari simply sat down, her tank top hanging only on one shoulder.

A swing around the bear was all it took, a ready of her sword and the flick of her wrist, just a simple slash... but she wasn't like that... "O brilliant blade of coldest steel..." That simple incantation should be enough to finish it off... Hikari dashed with a frown on her face, aiming for all the vital points of the bear...

Combat Dice - 5 - fail! - no damage

The hits being matched with claws, Hikari's smirk widened while continuing the rampage, a demonic expression on her face... "I don't need to be the one to finish you off... But I will distract you long enough..." Now swinging around the boar, Hikari knew the hits would be blocked, but she had to get it off now so Ruri would have enough time. "Rend the infinite darkness..." The incantation continued as the blocked hits continued faster and faster... "And crush my enemy to nothing!" Stopping suddenly, Hikari signaled Ruri to attack with her. "SAVAGE WOLF FURY!" Jumping over the enemy, Hikari dived behind it, distracting it long enough for Ruri to finish it off. "Ruri, NOW!" The signal given, Hikari just had to wait until...

Bear - 5/45

Ruri - 71/75

Hikari - 17/17

«Grizzly Bear Post»

The bear was furious at the bluenette, so much it desperately tried to break free of the barrage of slashes the silvonde was unleashing. Knocking Hikari away a bit, the bear charged at Ruri, only to be kicked away by the same person it knocked away itself just mere moments ago. "Oh, no way in hell, you're getting to her, buddy..." A smirk appearing on the human's face, it shouted another comment at the bear that could not understand her. "You're dead, buddy!" The bear charged at the growl, attempting to smash Hikari into the ground.

Combat Dice - 2 - no damage on Hikari

The rage-filled sloppy body slam was completely avoided as Hikari twirled around the bear, readying her sword in the meanwhile, a new smirk appearing on her face. "Showtime..." A demonic expression on her face, she had never shown this side to Ruri before...

Bear - 5/45

Ruri - 71/75

Hikari - 17/17

I'm entering this week to get Silica!

The howl did nothing to pierce Hikari's will and she continued with her relentless barrage of slashes, trying to find an opening. "Ruri, as long as I'm on it, it won't reach you, you have nothing to be afraid of!" Growling and encouraging scream at Ruri, Hikari swung back and uttered the words... "Give me strength..." A now expressionless face looking at the bear, Hikari held her sword back before lunging at the bear for a series of slashes.

Combat Dice - 3 - Fail! - no damage

The slashes being blocked one by one, Hikari knew this would be useless, but she continued to distract the bear. "I'll never let you hurt her again! I'll keep it at bay, Ruri, attack it with all you've got!" Snarling at the beast and prompting Ruri to attack, Hikari continued keeping her speed up with the bear's, distracting it and generating enough Hate to keep it away from Ruri.

Bear - 15/45

Ruri - 71/75

Hikari - 17/17

«Grizzly Bear Post»

Looking back behind itself, the bear attempted to aim at the bluenette that just tried to attack it and failed like usual, only to be stopped by a sharp kick to its legs by the slivonde standing in front of it. "Where the hell do you think you're going?! Your battle's with me,

asshat

! Sensing the hate emanating from this one, the bear quickly attempted to slash her away so it could go for the bluenette.

Combat Dice - 6 - Success - 2 Damage to Hikari -5 total DST = 0 damage dealt

The hit being blocked by the same shield as before made the bear jump back in frustration before emitting a mighty roar that pierced the ears of everyone around. "It'll take more than that to discourage me!" A smirk now appearing on the silver one's face, the bear glared at her with its glowing red eyes filled with hatred.

Bear - 15/45

Ruri - 71/75

Hikari - 17/17

Charging furious towards the bear, Hikari's intention was to finish it off. "No mercy!" Thrusting the pommel of the sword into the enemy, Hikari kicked it away and charged, looking to slash it a million times for hurting Ruri. "It's time!" The blade shimmering in the now clear weather, it appeared to glow a bright white as it was swung towards the bear.

Battle Dice - 1 - Epic Fail! - no damage

The blade blocked by the bear's steel-strong claws, they were both at a stand-off, neither could make the other move. Thrusting her sword forward, Hikari knocked the bear away and quickly jumped back, immediately trying to swing her blade... which was again blocked by the claw. "Ruri, we can do this! Finish it off!" Her face torn with anger, she wanted to finish this bear off as soon as possible, continuing to meet her blade to its claws to distract it.

Bear - 15/45

Ruri - 73/75

Hikari - 17/17

«Grizzly Bear Post»

Noticing the girl on the ground, the bear instinctively headed for her, trying to lung at the bluenette as always. Its claws sharper than ever, the grizzly bear aimed for the bluenette and pounced, only to see a silver flash coming from below it.

Combat Dice - 6 - 2 Damage to Ruri

But it wasn't fast enough, the bear's claws dug into the bluenette's skin and flesh, creating a red gash on her skin. "DAMN YOU! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT,

SHITHEAD

!" Malice heard in the silvonde's voice, a clear cuss was shouted in anger at the bear...

Bear - 15/45

Ruri - 71/75

Hikari - 17/17

Her eyes now scrunched up in anger, Hikari kicked the bear straight in its stomach, pushing it away while dealing no damage. "Let's see how you like this!" Readying her blade in front of her, Hikari looked like a true knight at this moment, her eyes closed, her blade ready, she uttered simple words... "O brilliant blade of coldest steel..." Before charging immediately for the downed bear.

Battle Dice - 3 - Fail! - no damage

The charge was interrupted by the bear lunging at Hikari, parrying the sword away and with it, the technique. "Switch!" Jumping back suddenly, Hikari alerted Ruri to get a hit off on this enemy and hopefully kill it.

Bear - 15/45

Ruri - 73/75

Hikari - 17/17