Mari

Skill(s) Being Dropped: Light Armour R5 Mod(s)/Addon(s)/Shift(s) Being Dropped: Meticulous Mod SP Refunded: 30 Cost: 30,000 Col

Mari followed him up the stairs, being sure to close the gate behind them. The place smelt welcoming, despite being an artisan there was a scent of baked goods in the air, of herbs and rosemary. Things meant to illicit feelings of comfort, and of home. Mari paused on the stairs to take in the scents. She had to admit...It was nice. Mari followed the man up the stairs - waiting as he knocked rhythmically on the door. The familiar sshiik of blade leaving its holster caused Mari to straighten- be more alert. Guards? A door opened to reveal a very homely looking woman in her 40's she wore a

A small sigh fell from Mari's lips. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath - the mask had been returned to her and Mari somehow felt a little better. Mari thought about apologizing - but...he had stabbed her in the shoulder. A slightly numbing and tingling sensation that still ebbed. So - Mari simply held her tongue. When Mari made the remark on why he didn't use the toxin on her - he shrugged dismissively. In response, Mari pulled her hair back and clipped the mask back on. The less words said, the better. Mari kinda preferred it that way at times anyway. The inside of the mask s

He leaned forward, encroaching on her space and Mari stood her ground. Staring defiantly into his eyes. She had never noticed it till now - but those eyes. Tiny clockwork eyes of golden swirled to meet her own cerulean. She'd have loved to have analyzed that more - if given the chance, did they react to his own eyes? To emotion? So many questions. Despite the curiosity bubbling Mari did say a word. "Prove it." Her head tilted as he wrote a single name on a piece of paper and handed a vial with it attached to to her. Prove it? "Hmm..." Mari took the vial and rolled it to and fro in h

Mari felt a sense of loss as the mask was ripped out of her hands. "H-Hey!" Then he pushed her down into the ground with a knee into her chest - and a dagger through her shoulder - effectively pinning her to the ground. "You FUCK!" Mari hissed. "I was worried about YOU! I was keeping YOU safe!" Mari winced as she ripped the dagger out of her shoulder and threw it to the ground. weakness? weakness!? She was MARI. One of the strongest in all of Aincrad - and he called her weak. Mari stared at him with frustration. "Done?" No...that wasn't fair...it wasn't fair... people were alway

Mari felt a strong arm clamp around her and pull her in close - she could feel various vials poke at her through the contact. This embrace wasn't warm like Oscars - it didn't bring a sense of peace. It felt like one almost out of necessity. The woman was very still, and very quiet as the man tightened his grip on her - rough voice calling out their destination. Warping was always a dizzying experience - and Mari had forgotten what it was like, as she was usually one to just walk everywhere. Her eyes shut tight and she allowed the brief sense of vertigo to pass. The small woman was coughin

The man seemed to understand her panic, he didn't judge her poor attempt at a sample. At least, Mari didn't think he did. It was really quite hard to tell. She never had any sort of facial expression to go off - and his movements, even his pantomimes, were always so concise. As Mari fiddled with the contraption on his arm she couldn't help but feel a little envious. imagine having something like that of her own? Being an alchemist in and of itself had been useful - but Mari had grown bored with it, and never really did much with it beyond crafting things for frontliners. But this man had in no

Oscar admitted he was suffering, and pulled away from her. Mari immediately missed that warmth Her arms prickled with the cool air. "can you though?" Mari asked him. "Can you take it?" Mari leaned forward placing one hand between his legs, and the other reaching out to grab his laced hands, giving them a comforting squeeze. It was clear he needed something, someone to listen to him. Mari wasn't exactly good with that sort of thing. Most of the time, she barely held herself together. As Oscar started talking Mari had to shift - she moved away from him and allowed the man to talk. Mari rema

Oscar said that life was filled with shitty hands, and Mari had to agree - she could sit there and doom and cry about everything she had been dealt with. There had been a time when she blamed everyone else, then a time she blamed herself. She wasn't going to do any of that anymore. Mari shook her head and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She hadn't known the man too well, but Cordelia had always spoken very highly of him. So did Macradon. Well, it’s pretty fucking obvious, Mari. I don’t think I’ve seen someone beat themselves up quite so hard over being orange as you. Mari f

They couldn't go to the chapel. well no shit sherlock. Mari gave an exasperated sigh, and realizing he wouldn't hear that, she crossed her arms over her chest. Tilting a beaked head to the side. For now - the two would have to keep playing charades till she had her voice back. Was this why he never spoke? Not because he couldn't - but because it hurt to? Considering how often he had been around all manner of chemicals and gases...it wouldn't surprise Mari. That...was kinda sad. So much could be misinterpreted that way. Just how many people had misinterpreted him? His actions? At least

OKay… He was okay. Good. After the first wave of guards had been felled the doctor came up to her, quickly wrapping her trembling form in more, thick material - and it wasn’t till he had that Mari realized her skin felt like it was stinging. She gave her head a small nod of acknowledgement, and thanks. The man beckoned her to follow and Mari obliged. She did not want to stay here. They may just be NPCs - but the longer they stayed, the more likely it was a player would fall into the frey and that’s the last thing Mari wanted. She was silent as he lead her through various different

It was two. Then three. Then five. “Fucking seriously?” Mari muttered. The NPCs were ruthless. She had to pause and sidestep the swing of a guards sword. Smash Mari heard the crackle of glass - and the hiss of smoke. She didn’t stop to look behind her till she heard the cries. “Huh?” A wave of smoke billowed - and its noxious plume headed toward her. Mari took several steps back, shifting her gaze to the side - would it be possible to jump into one of the nearby houses? She was already coughing - her chest heaving as her lungs burned. Her eyes burned. "Breathe."

“I’m sorry to bother you. Do you know of a man that lives out this way? His name is Baldur.” Mari had taken another long sip - then when the voice of another broke the silence she unceremoniously started to cough, and gag. So much so that her eyes watered, and whatever remnants of tea she had in her mouth had dribbled out the side of it. Mari held up one hand in a sign of pause to the woman. The other beat her chest two, three times. “S-Sorry…” Mari breathed. “I-cough- hang on.” Another series of coughs before Mari finally drew breath. Looking upon the one who had approached Mar

It didn’t take Mari long to complete her task. Mostly - because her task was a near impossible one without the correct tools and equipment - so all she really could do was offer suggestions. Why did he even give her this? Why give her more work? Another test? The dossier had been wrapped in a manila folder; and contained the following information Pathogen; Airbourne, contact, bloodborne? Airbourne pathogens in this case-would be preferred for fastest release and spread. A. Pheromones. The biology of humans has adapted well beyond base pheromones and whilst the use of them in

“What?” She was confused. Hadn’t it only been a day? “Of course I’m alive I-” Her eyes widened, oh. She forgot to message him back. He must have come looking. “Oh…oh Freyd…I’m sorry I didn’t message you back yesterday!” She began, to explain. “I got so distracted.” She carefully pushed herself to her feet, albeit she was a little wobbly. It was clear he was still concerned for her. Mari offered him a sheepish grin. Reaching out to run a reassuring hand up and down his upper arm. “Really, I’m okay.” She paused. “I mean…This floor is messing with my head a little - but - it does that

Mari blinked. That voice. She recognized that voice. Mari went to address him but paused, distracted by a strange giggle- “w-What the?” Mari went to glance under the table but the sudden shift of blade closer to her heart made Mari still. Her eyes shifted back up to the man she thought was Freyd. “- That should answer your question, Mari-I'm-Mari." It was Freyd. Relief flooded her system. “Freyd…” She breathed, but…then why was he looking at her like that. Steeled eyes staring accusatorial down at her. “W-what did I…” There was a pang of pain in her chest. She thought they were frien

It was nice…having finally been able to talk to Baldur and Macradon again…even running into Freyd on the 29th floor - and realizing that you can get drunk. Very drunk in Aincrad. God…where was that ability years ago? Ever since Mari’s return - things had been going…smoothly. Almost too smoothly, Mari kept expecting something to go awry. Someone to decry her - attack her. Or for her to slip up into old habits and push everyone away. But thus far…nothing of the sort had happened. Mari felt calm. Albeit a little lonely..but calm - and satisfied with where she was currently. That kind of serenity.

Mari groaned, her head hurt. Her joints hurt. Her arm especially hurt. Fucking doctor…where was she? It took a moment for her eyes to focus - wherever she was, it was much darker than the practically blinding room she had been in. There was that familiar buzz hitting the back of her head. Ah She was on the 10th floor again. Why? A familiar scent hit her nose - the fresh smell of sulfur. It smelt like that very chemical that the doctor had doused her with. Why was it so strong now? Did he douse her again so she’d be safe? Odd. Mari still couldn’t get a read on him. He had taken her

"You don't smell that bad. But you could definitely use one. We both could." Mari glanced around, a small frown came upon her lips. "Raidou said he messaged Baldur too..." Her words were filled with concern. They were on his estate after all. If he was away from here...was he pushing himself somewhere? Fighting? Baldur...was someone Mari had really, truly wanted to message. She wanted him of all people to know what was happening, he was a fellow Pillar in Jacobs ladder - and Mari knew all too well the crushing pain one felt when a group - a guild - forms and then you're left as the lone

Mari shifted herself to a seated position, sitting cross legged on the floor. Her arms folded over her chest. She felt sick. The man undoubtedly deserved to die, but who was she to have made that call? And there was a stark difference between death - and torture. The method did not sit right with the woman. Still. She kept silent. He clapped for her, and Mari felt equal parts pride - and disgust. She wasn’t sure why a part of her craved the accolades of a madman, but it had - the disgust…because she seemingly played into the exact thing he so desired. Mari watched as he shifted; mov

The man gestured for her to take a look around and at that Mari took a step back. Fully taking in the scene around her. Blue eyes widened in a brilliant curiosity. “H-How…” She breathed. Mari had felt proud at her makeshift centrifuge back on the 10th floor… but this… This… “Amazing…” Completely crushed it into fine dust. The walls were filled with racks, filled with vials. Puffs of steam hissed every which way - tiny gears, shifts, cranks churned. Something like this…is what Aincrad so sorely missed, and so sorely was needed but - but… Her eyes shifted back to the Plague D

“Listen…” Mari began. “I…this has been…” She paused trying to find the right word. Fun? It had been, but not so much the jovial haha way, the intriguing way.. “An experience but I need to leave this floor before-” Leave? Are you insane? Isn’t this what you wanted? An opportunity to do things? Don’t you miss this? Mari drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She did…She missed researching. Learning. Adapting. But not like this. Not at the cost of her sanity. First she’d need to go back to her home - then, let Freyd know she was okay. Then sleep. What if you never see

Mari didn’t expect an answer, not outright at least. The man whom she thought was mute was simply was one of few words. Rather, the only word she had ever heard him say was Atan - one she had no idea the meaning behind. One of Mari’s professors in college had been Russian, one of her colleges, a real Casanova that one - but beyond that - she had never really studied the language. Never had a need to. Still. He answered her - and in a way she could tell his intention. Mari took another step closer to him, one that echoed in the cavern around them - it being the loudest sound shared betwee

Clap Clap Clap The muted sattico sound of accolades snapped Mari out of her rambling stupor. He was…clapping? Mari stared at him - brows furrowed in confusion. Why was he clapping? Still.. The action caused a sense of pride well within Mari’s chest. At least someone understood. There was a certain…je ne sais quoi when it came to discovering things - learning things. And there were few here who really understood. Instead of thanking him, Mari gave the plague doctor a curious nod of acknowledgement. He wasn’t being volatile… he hadn’t shown her any cause for alarm excep

Between the second and third day…. Mari had not slept. She was tired - near the point of exhaustion, and it was evident on her facial features. Dark circles lined erratic eyes as they kept glancing to and fro. Every now and again her head would lull forward and her eyes would close just that little bit slower - and if Mari hadn’t been using her polearm as a makeshift cane - she would have most definitely fallen over. Every now and again Mari would mutter something to herself, then get annoyed- and retaliate with a fuck you or a shut up. It was clear she had seen bett