Mayonaka

I weakly lifted my hand and waved at Kiluia and sniffed again, covering it with a cough though. O-Okay...I said, taking his advice for me to calm down seriously. Following him, I leaned my back against the wall and slid down slowly. Now sitting on the ground my eyes met his, no longer showing excitement and life in them. My eyes looked as thought I died, which I did..I died on the inside. Nothing is wrong seriously...I lied through my teeth and avoided eye contact with him. Of course he knows somethings up, he saw you cry! There's no point in denying it now. I thought angerly at myself for lying to one of my friends, he knew it too I was sure.

I looked away from the ledge with wide eyes at the player that was speaking to me. For once since I had logged on in this game I actually didn't feel like talking to anyone; but at the same time I felt like pouring out everything. Hey Kiluia. I..um, I just. I started but couldn't put together a proper sentence. The tears that were on my face were no longer visible as I tried to put on a smile and be positive, it wasn't Kiluia's fault after all. Instead, it looked nothing like a smile, more like my mouth twitching. I hated for anyone to see me like this.

[OOC- Sorry for not posting.]

I ran right past Cindelika, not bothering to ask if she was alright. The golem that was looming over Ryu seemed to be hurt from his attack. With a determined face I jumped forward without my usual battle smirk and stabbed into the monster with a rage I didn't know I had. My sword sunk into it, not dealing very much damage but it still felt good. Knowing that she was behind me, I took this as a chance to observe how Cindelika fought. Cindelika, switch with me. I spoke after pulling my blade out of the golem, leaping behind Cindelika. I intended to watch how she handled the situation at hand.

Mayonaka 29/29

Cindelika 15/15

Ryu 57/57

Golem 42/50 (-1 Bleed, 2 turns)

{BD 6+2=8 -1 damage}

There was no longer a smile on my face, I don't even think I could force one anymore. As my boots shuffled along the cobble stone path of floor one thoughts of my life here flood through me. Although I met many people in Aincrad I still remember exactly where I had met them and how, it just pained me now to think of them. As of right now I felt useless to this world, rather I didn't matter much. For reasons I didn't really know myself I found myself in a very hard place, realizing who was my friends, who I could trust, and who no longer cared weather I died or not.

Without even realizing that I was crying I swiped at the tears that I knew weren't for anyone in particular and sniffed. I lifted up my head and stared at the clouds in the sky, they were so pure, which made me feel a littler better. It doesn't matter anymore...I thought and eyed the ledge of Aincrad skeptically. Could I really do it...? I thought the horrible thought of ending my life here in Aincrad.

It always bugs me that I cannot wrap my mind around him. Kayaba I mean, he wanted to control his own world and he is but like you said, I don't think anyone really knows what's actually happening behind the scenes. I said as Alkor and I's blades clashed together. My muscles strained and motivated me to push harder against his sword, to not let up just yet. In an instant he broke the swords apart. I reeled backwards and breathed heavily while he spoke on, resting also.

it was a really good night actually.... I said, remembering the twinkle in my sister'a eyes as she gazed at the stars above. Her eyes trained on the smallest star all the way to the left, it looked like it was going out a little; like a broken lightbulb. On that night she had told me that one day that star would be the biggest and gather everyone's attention. Of course back then when we were little I believed her silly words. But now that I thought about it, her words weren't so silly after all.

I gave him a bared expression mixed with confusion. I'm ashamed of it but I have no idea how to obtain skills. As you see I have the started sword but that about it... Nothing special... I trailed off, embarrassed about not knowing part of the system.

I could use some sleep right now but I don't feel like wasting my col on that or rejecting him from his night training...On the other hand if we did it in the day we would have less monsters to fight...I though to myself, considering which time we should fight the mobs at. I weighed both options in my head, both weren't very exciting. I guess right now would be a good time to go then? I asked and walked towards the fields out of the safezone, not really giving him time to voice a reply. Shortly after about a minute I stopped at the invisible boarder between the safezone and the town, motioning him to go first.

My sword made an ear piercing noise as it slid off of Alkor's blade, he was surprisingly strong. I was strong myself but as of right now we were practically equal, being close in levels and all. Alkor's sword came swinging towards my right arm. I jerked myself to the left and blocked the hit that would have hurt. With a grin I lurched forward, extending my blade out to his chest. I have seen the stars with my sister on the clearest night as I recall. I said, leaving out the part about how I captured that night on my wall with paint, on my mural.

Really? The NerveGear can really do that? I asked, a little shocked at how much I didn't know about this game's history. I didn't know that...I spoke with a questioning tone, as if I half believed him. I knew that he wasn't lying, I did see what he did to all of us here..it still didn't sit well in my stomach to know the capability of the NerveGear.

I guess you could say that. It's darker out and the monsters could be hiding so there's a higher chance of a sneak attack. Not only that but PKs could be wandering by, stop in to pay you a visit, then murder you before you could even scream. I explained casually, like it was something I'd know forever. My intentions weren't to scare him but to warn him from the dangers of the night. If you want we can wait until it's light outside to roam around.

I hesitated to take his arm, but linked his with mine. He was just being a proper gentleman after all.So...where are we going exactly? I don't tend to stay in one place very long, eat anywhere either so I'm clueless to any good places to dine. I asked, looking up at him because of the height difference.

I would love the opportunity to roleplay with you sometime Oske!

Well, as you see I'm more than capable to train you myself. I may not look much but I assure you that if you like I can take a break from my wandering and train with you, if you like. I offered with a small shrug of my shoulders and closed my eyes. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for his answer. He may take it up or pass it off, leaving me with nothing to do.

We're engaged. I said like it was a normal thing, which in this game it was. Ryu and I are together you see, were almost identical in personality mostly. Except he has more common sense than I do...I said, trying to explain him to Rue. It would have been enough to just have him meet her but I knew that would be impossible right now.

I responded to his instructions with a simple nod of understanding. I had never dueled another player, I rarely even spoke with someone for more than a few minutes so I made sure to remember everything he said about it. It seemed that everyone had something terribly important to do these days, no time to meet n' greet. I guessed the rest of the rules of battle, also added my own when he finished explaining.

I took my blade out of the sheath at my side and pointed it at him, as if I were to strike him directly. Instead, I charged forward and shot my sword forward but stopped right before I hit him, giving him a chance to counter. I think that they shine brighter here than they do back in the real world. Maybe it's just the altered reality though...

I already knew from the moment I had asked that he wouldn't have seen her. If he did then he would have remembered her, she wasn't that hard to forget with hey hyper attitude and bright pink hair. She was all over the place, probably marveled the world of Aincrad even. Of course I didn't say too much information about her out loud to anyone, she was personal to me. Thanks anyways. I said with almost no emotion, this was my response to every player who didn't know her location.

As for your offer, I accept. I will train with you, do as you wish. Though I'm not very experienced in level wise; I know my sword very well. I said and smiled back at Alkor. My smile was more genuine though. I opened up my HUD and equipped my start sword to my side with a quick swipe in front of me. I had learned to use this system on the first day here so I practically knew where everything was, except for the depression site of no logout button...

I nodded slowly, taking in what he just said; he repeated what I didn't hear. Alkor spoke of learning something once familiar to him. Or at least that's how I interpenetrated it.Thank you, Alkor. I now see that your aren't another mindless player that can't accept the fact that someone is genuinely interested. The breeze from before now came back to haunt me, making it just a little colder for me. I was entirely sensitive to the slightest bit of weather change. I frowned and equipped my starter jacket. It wasn't much but it did make me a little bit more comfortable.

I'm here because I've heard rumors. I have asked many other players if they have seen another girl like me but none had seen her unfortunately. A couple days ago another player said they saw a girl looking almost exactly like me around here. It just so happened that this was where I thought she would be. I said, practically leaking my weaknesses on Alkor, the young man that I just met. It wasn't very smart of me but I felt as though I could trust him-- or he wouldn't even care and just let the topic of my missing sister slip by him.

His movements from earlier seemed like he was training, or seemed to be busy if anything. The motions were clear and smooth, like he had been doing them his whole life even. The sword he held in his hands was a regular starter sword, nothing special, but he was made it look as though it was custom made. He ignored me for a moment before half rejecting my question and half answering it with a small mutter. I couldn't make out what he was saying, and I didn't think he would repeat it, so I just left it at that.

This interesting young man seemed to be annoyed by my presence at the least. I wasn't about to let such a thing stand in my way of figuring him out though, so I inquired even more. It's not polite to speak to a lady in such a manner. You mustn't ask questions without getting to know me. Besides, I asked you a question first. You did answer it but I didn't hear you. Please repeat it if you will, also state you name. I said to him with a stern look in my pink eyes, that matched the shade of my hair color.

I let out a deep exhale after walking for what seemed like hours. My eyes trained to the ground as I walked. Through my trip here, to Starglade, I only encountered two or three monsters that weren't very high in levels. And in that time my mind filled with thoughts of my missing sister and how I was going to get out of here; both common thoughts of mine. When I looked up from the ground I pushed my soft pink hair from my face and looked ahead. I saw a tall young man staring into space, and the virtual sky. The night sky was spread out so you couldn't see the end of it, only the darkness lit up by the twinkle of the stars.

I approached the man with a calm walk, determined and bored. Hello sir. Might I ask what your doing exactly?

At least someone agrees... I muttered out loud, leaning against the wall again. The fact he just said shocked me the least, I knew well that our bodies in the real world probably weren't doing so fine right now. But that was another thing I didn't know, where I was exactly IRL. So, when do you plan to venture outside the town? I asked, a little excited to hear his response.

Of course I have time, what did you want to do? And I can relate to that, I mostly hang out Ryu. I say with a casual tone, blushing a little at the end. Does she even know who he is? Or am I just talking about someone she didn't know? I thought, still keeping a smile. The snow that seemed to be endlessly falling was cold against my skin, as I wasn't wearing a jacket. I brushed off the snow clinging to my arms and sat next to Rue.

I guess he heard it fair and well because he offered to make it up with food. The options weighed on my mind, Decline and be hungry, but polite or accept it and feel weird for someone else paying for my meal. With a heavy sigh I answered.N-no, that's fine... I rejected the offer with a little bit of uncertainty in my voice. Then, I thought about how dumb I was to turn down an offer, he was just trying to be friendly. Actually, I would like that, Hirokal. Sorry for changing my answer earlier.

I looked at the boy, who was now smiling at me, and gave him a confused look. I was going to say, I can't move forward without training or taking chances... I said with a lighter expression now, a little happy that he was acknowledging me now. Also, if anyone is going to beat this game they can't be talking about doing it, they have to be beating it.

I picked the gloves and stockings in her hands and held them out to inspect them, they didn't look half bad. The material, as Haine said, was strong but not thick; it was almost perfect. Thank you Haine, wait here, I'll be right back! I said and bolted to the shop counter with all of my items. The NPC kindly wrapped the two dresses in a box for me with a smile. They felt weightless as I ran back to Haine and handed her one of the boxes. Inside would be her surprise, the blue battle dress she was looking at earlier.

I gave a weak smile, holding back tears, and caught the item that he threw towards me. I turned the necklace in my hand and rubbed my hand over the engravings. It was his and Yureka's special gift. I looked up from it and saw Grim leaning backwards, falling from the ledge. I ran towards him and reached my hand out to catch him but by the time I got there he had already descended, bursting into millions of pixels. GRIM! I shouted hysterically on the top of my lungs as the tears I held back flooded down my cheeks. I looked through blurry eyes at remains of Grim floating through the sky, the last of him. I sunk to my knees and clutched the necklace in my hands, refusing to ever let go until I found Yureka for Grim.

[OOC- item recieved from Grim]

Item: Amulet of Hoya

Description: A necklace given to Grim from Etheral as a gift at Grims wedding, he wears this around his neck at all times to see the the two names forever engraved in its form. Grim X Yureka.

My whole body froze as hugged me, and said what he was planning- no, going to do. G-Grim... I choked out with a desperate voice. I knew for a fact that I would not be able to stop him from jumping off of that ledge, which didn't feel good. There was nothing I could do, I know felt useless. Grim. I have always respected you, from the first day you made your appearance as the Reaper of Aincrad in my eyes. I know your a good guy, just know that Grim! My eyes now filled with tears, I was trying to be strong but it wasn't working; I didn't want to see my friend die. I will find Yureka, wherever she may be. Grim...Can you smile? Before you turn around..just smile please...I begged him.

My breath steadily went in and out after running through the practically deserted town. Now that the upper floors were going to be clear the players here began to leave. There were still a couple hundred still in the twon though, which was disappointing if you ask me. I scanned the the players that lined the edge of the floating city, I saw someone. Is that really....Grim? I thought and picked up the pace to get a better look. I stopped in my tracks as a giant grin filled my face. Grim! I haven't seen you in so long, how are you? I asked him with the same smile. My eyes shifted to the player standing next to him but I didn't say anything to him yet.