Mari

ph

Mari walked casually through the 24th floor, A small leather satchel lightly and rhythmically banged against her thigh as she walked. Normally, Mari wouldn’t have her weapon out but today she had it hanging casually over both her shoulders, using it to loop her arms through. The miasma bubbled from the halberd blade, leaving behind little black bubbles that would pop in the air as she walked. Scalabis…one of the few main settlements that cared about your cursor. It was…nice to be able to walk through a city again. Even if she did get a few looks from players she had passed by.

In her ear she had a lit cigarette, facing away from her face. It had been only a few days but she missed him. His intoxicating presence. His goofy smile. So she kept a lit cigarette behind her ears during the times she felt particularly nostalgic for the man. Facing away from her because she didn’t want it right in her face - just the scent.

It was only a matter of days till she would be dragged into the boss fight on the 29th floor. Mari wasn’t looking forward to it. She still didn’t know where she stood with her guild. If she was truly part of it, if she even wanted to be part of it. Everyone within it worked so well together. And she - an outlier. Each member was bright, genuinely wanting to escape this place when Mari still wasn’t sure, ever since she had lost her daughter she had come to the realization there was nothing out there for her. The woman had moved past her self hatred - and when she told Freyd she wanted to live, truly live. She meant it.

But…ever since she returned from prison something felt off - and she didn’t want to let it fester. Talking to Baldur was the best thing to do in this situation. Being open and honest was something she struggled with in the past. She’d just push it all down and ignore it but this time…she was going to communicate her thoughts, her feelings. It had worked for her thus far. Mostly. She had butted heads with Freyd sometimes but only because he was concerned for her, and wanted her safe.

‘STOP IN THE NAME OF THE LAW’
    “YOU’RE UNDER ARREST’

Mari sighed heavily, at first assuming the cries were directed at her - but…seeing a lithe figure fell just a few feet in front of her. “What the?” Their eyes locked for a moment before he turned and ran. Several legionnaire guards were following in hot pursuit. That won’t end well.

Mari almost didn’t want to get involved. It’d be a headache…it’s just adding more and more infractions to her ever growing list. But…what kind of person would she be if she tried to value an inane list over someones life? Even if they were a fellow marked player. Mari wrestled with herself for a moment - if she did this…she wouldn’t be able to talk to Baldur till after the raid. But…but…Mari shook her head. She’d not forgive herself if she found out the man died to a bunch of overly zealous npcs.

“Aight.” Mari started running, following close behind him - then when she had drawn enough distance between herself and three of the guards she pulled a small sphere from her satchel. One filled with a noxious yellow gas. She threw it at the feet of the men behind her - the effect instantaneous. They fell to their knees, coughing and gagging.

Three more joined, their sights now on her.

Right. Oops.  Now she was a target. One was close enough to swing at her, Mari was able to duck under it and dodge. She hit the blunt end of her polearm into the underside of the legionnaires jaw and when he faltered Mari brought the halberd back around. Cleaving his head clean off his torso. Shit. She just had to get involved.

<<Assist System Engaged>>
Level: 1
Paragon: 0
Tier: 1
True Tier: 11

Final EXP Reward: +5%

Mari | HP: 30/30 | EN: 25/25 | DMG: 12 | MIT:26 | ACC:5 | AA | EVA:4 | BH:2 | BLI: 8/-5 | ENV-O: 8 | PARA-V | LD:1
 

PH

FISHERMAN RANK 1
Practiced Angler: 2 Fishing EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts.

ID:247671   ld:12+1  cd:1+1  NOTHING
3 exp gained - fishing attempt
2 exp gained - angler perk

CHEST OPEN ID: -
 

THREAD REWARDS
+1 Material
Unidentified Perfect Weapons (2) ID: 24767
, Unidentified Perfect Armor/Shield (2)   ID: 24767
Unidentified Rare Weapons (2) id:247670
Unidentified Rare Consumables (2) ID: 247670

Random Dungeon Map

FISHING EXPERIENCE THREAD TOTAL: 60

FISHERMAN RANK 1
Practiced Angler: 2 Fishing EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts.

ID: 247669  ld:17+1  cd:3+1  TREASURE CHEST OBTAINED
2 exp gained - angler perk
3 exp gained - successful fishing attempt
16 exp gained- critical catch

CHEST OPEN ID: -247670  LD: 7
Unidentified Rare Weapons (2), Unidentified Rare Consumables (2)

THREAD REWARDS
+1 Material
Unidentified Perfect Weapons (2) ID: 24767
, Unidentified Perfect Armor/Shield (2)   ID: 24767
Unidentified Rare Weapons (2) id:247670
Unidentified Rare Consumables (2) ID: 247670

Random Dungeon Map

FISHING EXPERIENCE THREAD TOTAL: 55

ph

FISHERMAN RANK 1
Practiced Angler: 2 Fishing EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts.

ID: 24767  ld:15+1  cd:6+1  TREASURE CHEST OBTAINED

2 exp gained - angler perk
3 exp gained - successful fishing attempt
16 exp gained - critical catch
 

CHEST OPEN ID: 247668 LD:20

THREAD REWARDS
+1 Material
Unidentified Perfect Weapons (2) ID: 24767
, Unidentified Perfect Armor/Shield (2)   ID: 24767

Random Dungeon Map

FISHING EXPERIENCE THREAD TOTAL: 34

ph

FISHERMAN RANK 1
Practiced Angler: 2 Fishing EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts.

ID: 24766  ld:8+1  cd:9+1 
2 exp gained - angler perk
3 exp gained - fishing attempt
8 exp -successful fishing attempt

THREAD REWARDS
+1 Material
 

FISHING EXPERIENCE THREAD TOTAL: 13
 

Mari, damp and annoyed approached the tiny little fishing hut. Clearly unimpressed and frustrated. Never in her life had she experienced such issues with fishing before. No doubt it had something to do with the NPC; he had such a punch-able face the woman was tempted to clock him so had that he'd fall down into the water. Let him fish for his own damn gleaming scales. As she drew closer he started to clap his hands in a booming and resounding sound of congratulatory joy.

Another piece of bait hooked, and another cast, and another attempt at getting this illusive gleaming scale. Mari wasn’t even sure what to do with them. She might have to ask Raidou - or Freyd. Or Anthony…eew. No. The less time she spent interacting with that jackass of an NPC the better.

Mari tilted her head, how bad would it be if he were to just…poof disappear for a few days. That’d probably attract some sort of negative attention. It was one thing to kill guards, or farmers - useless digital fodder…but quest givers…yeh. That’d put a big ol’ target on her head taht Mari quite frankly was doing her best to get rid of. Not make worse.

Tug

    Oh!?

This one felt stronger than the others, Mari gave a small jerk, to hook whatever was waiting on the other end then began to reel in. She could see it already, glimmering beneath the surface of the water. A single gleaming scale. A tiny thing that shimmered shades of blue and aquamarine in the light. “Bout bloody time…” Mari said as she unhooked it from her fishing pole. Mari glanced at the pole. Old. Worn. Almost useless. But she didn’t have one of her own, so instead of returning it, she placed it in her inventory. Ignoring the little notification pinging; telling her she stole.  May as well take what she could before she did redemption. 

Now, time to go see an average man about her reward.

ID: 247664  LD: 15  CRAFT: 7

SUCCESS GOT THAT GLEAMIGN SCALE BITCHES

total word count 2149

Mari shook the water off her fishermans pole before hooking yet another piece of bait, which now she was almost one hundred percent sure was just spray painted gold worms (that can’t be good for the environment, good thing the woman did not care) She cast out her line, watching the waters serene surface.

Trout…huh…she wasn’t really sure how to cook it into a semi decent meal. A garlic butter maybe? That’d work. But what to pair it with? Couscous? That was easy to make, just add water… rice? No because then she’d need to figure out how to flavour it. “Dammit…” Mari knew how to cook a few dishes quite well, but being a picky and stubborn person she didn’t really branch out of those.

“Maybe Oscar could help…” She thought to herself as she stared at the water, waiting for anything to happen. He seemed to be very, very good in the kitchen. Practically anything he made oozed with a level of pride and skill she could not match in the kitchen.

A small dip in her floater and Mari yanked the rod. Gaining nothing more than a single material. “I better get this thing soon.”

ID: 247663  LD:9  CD: 10

Thread loot:
6 Materials

total word count 1904

Mari threw her fishing line back, then as she went to cast out she accidentally let go of it when she saw a message ding - Mari never got messages. So it would have been one of the two people she had just reached out to. Her rod sailed helplessly through the air and splashed by the lakeside, it was slowly being dragged into the water. “Ah shit.” She said as she ran over to it, Mari grabbed hold of it and tried to pull it back up, getting her feet and legs wet in the process. At least the water wasn’t freezing cold.

Mari yanked her rod away from its would be thief and opened up her messages. Just three simple words.
 

I like trout

Mari couldn’t help but laugh. A part of her felt it was always so jarring, every so often flashes of him towering over that man - ripping off his arm in a slew of ash and charcoal would slip into her mind - then he’d say something like this. I like trout. Quite possibly the simplest thing in the world. He could have asked for anything, anything. And she’d h

ID: 247662  LOOT: 5 CD: 1

Thread loot:
5 Materials

Total Word Count 1706

Honestly…Mari didn’t care if he replied or not. Mari had a strong feeling he was much the same with the messaging system. He didn’t strike her as someone who liked it, considering the sheer amount of notifications he seemed to get. Mari would outright ignore the message system too if she was bombarded with idiots every single day.

“That’s it…I’m sittin…” Mari found a nearby rock and sat cross legged on it before shoving more of the bait, which she was fairly sure was just worms spray painted gold  back onto the hook, with a swing she cast out again. And this time…when she reeled in the hook know what she got? Absolutely nothing. The bait gone, the hook swinging gently in the warm breeze. Bumpkiss. Welp. At least she wasn’t dragged into the water or anything like that. Didn’t seem like that would happen.

Hopefully.

If it did maybe that’d be an excuse to see her man again.

ID: 247661 LD: 8  CD: 6

Thread loot:
5 Materials

total word coutn 1496

Speaking of…

Mari wondered if Lancaster liked fish? Could she figure out a nice meal involving it for him. Mari wasn’t really the best at cooking it, despite growing up in Australia. She always preferred the richness of red meats over it.. As she cast out her line Mari opened up her messenger with her free hand. Two messages in a day? Damn. She was on a roll. The woman hated using the message system. Found it clunky and annoying.

Yet here she was, messing people again, not for necessity but for curiosity? It’d be so much nicer just to ask him in person.

Quote

To: Lancaster
From: Mari
Subject
Do you like eating fish?
I picked up the profession.

Mari closed the window as she felt a bite on her line. Sending off the message and turning her attention to reeling in yet another material. At least she was getting something out of this. Materials would be useful for crafting, but she hadn’t done so in so long - Mari planned to get back into it, at least a little - if not just to craft her own potions so she didn’t need to rely on the generosity of others.

ID:247660  LD: 7 CD: 8

Thread loot:
5 Materials

total word count 1337

Another failure meant another line to be cast out. Another hook to be baited. How annoying. She cast out the line with a heavy sigh. At least the weather was pleasant. Mari stepped from one foot to the other. If she didn’t get it soon she’d have to find a nice place to sit down. The air was nice too. Fragrant with the smell of freshly fallen leaves. Of wood. Better than the bile and gunk of the 29th floor. 

Mari hoped Freyd would like her upgraded home. She wanted him to be the first to see it, after all he had put so much effort into fixing up her first home. She wanted to show him how much that meant to her, in a way…upgrading her house was mainly because of him… and a side note of having her rafters be charred to all hell by a doting partner who just so happens to ignite when he gets too passionate. A small smile crept to her lips as she recalled the memory.

It was so nice that she wasn’t even mad she got nothing more than a single material from her line.

247659:  LD:4  CD:11

Thread loot:
4 Materials

total word count 1139

Speaking of Freyd…or…she supposed…thinking of Freyd…Mari wondered how he was going. They hadn’t spoken since the whole gemini thing - not really. And she missed him. She had a lot to tell him about. Mari promised to tell him if things progressed with Lancaster and now well, they really had. Mari wasn’t exactly looking forward to that conversation. “Ah…” Mari had whilst she was thinking, cast out her line again- and a slight tug on it caused her to start reeling in. Again, Mari knew this wouldn’t be the big fish with that bright ass gleaming scale that she needed, but at least it’d be something. Just as she expected. Mari pulled up yet another material.

She sighed, opening up her messenger. She wanted to see him again. He was family after all. She knew how to soften the blow of being like ‘hey yo I think Im fucking your enemy.’

Food.  That was always the answer.

 

Quote

To: Freyd
From: Mari
Subject: My home
Hey Freyd. Wanted to chat. Also show you my home. I upgraded it. Finally.
Let me know when you’re free.
-Mari.

It was probably the first time ever in Aincrad she had put a subject title in the line.

ID: 247658  LD: 1  CD:9

Thread loot:
3 Materials

total word count 946

Vanity tag @Freyd (this post and the one above)

Mari pried open the tin the man had given her and with the ease and effectiveness of someone who grew up on a giant bloody island she baited the hook. Right. Just how many tries would it take to nab this thing? Five? Ten? Twenty? Mari glanced up at the sun, high in the sky. It was noon. It’d be nice if she could finish this in a few hours - She wanted to get some gathering done before nightfall, if things took too long; she’d have to wait till morning.

Red cursor = no easy forms of travel that she knew of.

Unless she was Freyd. With his void step fancy feet. Mari had to admit…it was a nice skill to have, and she would be remiss if she wanted to ask him to teach her. They both went through so much with the gemini…but would he? It felt innately and intimately him.  Not so much her.

Mari sighed as she cast the line out, and in less then a minute she had a bite, she pulled it up to have….eyup - just what she thought. Another material. Still better than nothing.
Right?
RIGHT?

ID: 257657  LD: 3 CD:12

Thread loot:
2 Materials

Word Count: 744

Without asking, Mari swiped a wooden fishing rod from Anthonys house when he wasn't looking. He had like several of them all perched up against the side of his little hut for the taking. It was like he was begging people to grab them with a big neon sign that said 'FREE'  granted...this was a quest hut - so they were probably intended for players to take but Mari felt just a little bit better about herself imagining the plain looking man be troubled by missing one of his many precious rods.

Mari walked around the side of the lake and wasted no time in hooking the 'special bait' up and casting out. It took a few minutes, till there was a slight tug on her rod. This was better…this was a little calming. With a slight jerk Mari began to reel it in - it didn’t feel like anything big so she doubted she’d be lucky enough to get what she needed straight away, and nope.

As she finished reeling in the rod she was met with nothing more than a single twinkling material. Well. Better than nothing.

247656  LD: 7+1 = FAIL CD: 8= +1 Material

Thread loot:
1 Material

total word count: 551

Mari had been fishing in the past; she had enjoyed it. She remembered the times she’d stand by the lakeside with Baldur and Shield fondly…but now it would seem if she wanted to pick up the idle hobby again she’d need to do a dang quest, not exactly something she had planned nor wanted to do, but …when you gotta do what you gotta do… so here she was. At some shabby little shake in some shabby little forest, at least it was outside the city limits. God forbid Mari risk her life just to go fishing. Fuck that.

Mari stepped closer to the fishing shack, and like clockwork a figure seems to appear from nowhere. Bloody NPCs… Mari’s distaste for them grew daily.

"Anthony Gill, at your service," he announces, executing a quick bow. "Let me guess, you were looking for someone old, with a long white beard, and a pipe?" 

Mari crossed her arms. The man was….average. If you were to search up mediocre in the dictionary his face would appear there. But Mari held her tongue, waiting for him to inevitably continue.

, "Sorry to disappoint. Now, what can I do for you?" 

“Fishing Profession, Jackass.”

Many of the NPCs in Aincrad were actually quite responsive, and full of life; almost too realistic but these ones? Cut and dry. The man, Anthony was it? Gave her a large smile. The insult soaring high over his head.

"I am honored you would come to me for help. Since we're friends, I'll let you in on a little secret." Reaching into his pocket, Anthony draws out a small tin, then offers it to you. 

"This is a special bait, because a local priest prays over it in a top-secret ceremony.  I'm the only one in the world who has it, so don't bother looking for it anywhere else. If you use it, you'll catch the rare and mysterious Rainbow Fish, which you can harvest for Gleaming Scales. Catch the fish, bring me a scale, and you'll know all there is to know about fishing."

Mari snatched the tin from his hand, rolling her eyes as she walked away. This would be hell.

TOTAL WC: 363
 

PH

247655  LD: 15+1= SUCCESS

Total Materials:
1

Mari hadn't planned on doing anything with her store; rather - she was considering closing up shop completely. But then she figured it wouldn't hurt to kill some time, to gather some supplies on the off chance that she needed them. She already had a decent stockpile of over 200 materials. But she hadn't bothered with crafting in ages. Hell...she was probably so rusty that if she attempted anything it'd blow up in her face.

So, Mari went to the floor she was oh so familiar with when it came to foraging and looking around for various things...the most volatile and unforgiving floor she knew, granted she didn't exactly explore al the other floors all that often but hey. How many floors had a negative effect on your psyche? Oh...floor 29. Yeh, that was definitely a nasty ass floor.

So there she stood, at the entrance to her tent. Ready to start a long and very boring day of very boring collections.

Loot goblin…

Thats what she’d be today.

Maybe she’d get in some fishing too.

ID: 257654   LD: 13+1=14 FAIL

Mari | HP: 980/980 | EN: 132/132 | DMG: 21 | MIT:44 | ACC:5 | AA | EVA:4 | BH:54 | BLI: 32/-20 | ENV-O: 32 | PARA-V | LD:1

SORRY I HAD ENOUGH SO IM DOING THE THING

**LATEST APPLICATION/APPROVAL** 
LINK

Room(s) Being Added: (Include assigned player(s) for homes)
Fishing Pond: 10,000
Ornate Fishing Pond (Upgrade) 15,000


Room(s) Being Upgraded: (Include assigned player(s))

Ornate Fishing Pond: Mari

Room(s) Being Re-Assigned: (Include newly assigned player(s) and a post link to the last time these rooms were assigned player(s))

House Fluff and design etc below 

“Sometimes?!  Try always.” 

Mari grinned. “Right!” She seemed to have bounced back from her earlier withdrawal. Being able to know how much they trusted and accepted each other made her feel better. “Always. Freyd.” She gave him a warm smile. “Always.” Affectionately repeated. Freyd went on to say he was not her keeper - acknowledging that she seemed really happy.

“I know.” She said. “And I get hurt sometimes.” She admitted, thinking back to moments before. “I sometimes jump to the bad conclusions. Its…a hard habit to break out of. I…” Mari closed her eyes. “How about I tell you some things that may explain why after all of this.” Mari gave him a pat on his ironclad chest with her free hand. “Just know that I’m actively working on catching those thoughts and stomping them out with all the fire and fury of a woman denied her chocolate…er… or something.” It was a terrible analogy, but Mari’s words faltered in the moment.

Freyd told her he believed in her and Mari couldn’t help but have her smile grow. It was relieving, and comforting to know the two shared the same sentiments. They’d always butt heads in some way, shape, or form. They’d always misinterpret one another at some divide. But - as long as Freyd was in her life. As long as he was her friend. No. Her family. She’d be fine. 

“It is what it is, and whatever it means, we’re here now because of it.”  

“It means we’re family. I think that’s the best way to describe it.” And she meant it, with all the sincerity of the world.

“I know, Mari.  Just like you know I never meant, and will never mean, to hurt you.”  

Mari gave a nod in reply, as his form began to shift.

Mari flinched when she saw Montjoy, too many negative memories were associated with his form. Regardless of how he and Freyd worked together now. Mari wasn’t exactly sure who it was, if it were Freyd gemini, if it were something else. She wasn’t entirely sure and had never actually asked despite being curious about it. It felt too personal to Freyd. The woman shut her eyes and turned her cheek away when the amalgamation of the two reached out to cup her cheek. It was as though the frozen hands of death himself were caressing her. She suddenly missed another's touch, which was far warmer. Freyd started talking, his voice and tone shifting.

“Come out, dear lovely. Come out into this cursed light and play. It’s been far too long since we last saw each other...”

She waited, expecting it to be instantaneous. Expecting the sickening feeling to hit her body like a truck but for a moment, nothing happened. Mari slowly opened one eye, then the other. Giving the roiling shadowy figure before her a confused look. That worked last time, hadn’t it? Why not this time? “I uhm…” Mari wanted to say something, anything - at that moment she felt nothing. As though there was no immediate danger. Shouldn’t the gemini be out?

Come to think of it…when was the last time she coughed up that bile? When was the last time she heard those nagging voices? “Freyd?” Mari was concerned. She wanted this to be over with today. Was the gemini hiding because it knew what was coming? Or was it something else?

The Shadowy figure in front of her blinked, tilted its head to the side as though it was analysing the situation. It? Freyd…Monteyd? Mari didn’t have any time to contemplate what to call the man before her. It moved closer, roughly grabbing her hand and pulling her in close. Its lips danced upon the shell of her ear as he chuckled, low and velveteen. 

“Don’t be like that, let me see and experience everything that you are. Don’t deny yourself...” He forcibly grasped Mari’s chin and tilted it toward him. His lips dancing dangerously close to hers. “Don’t make me drag you out to play.”

Mari’s body heaved and it spilled forth, she tried to push Montjoy away but he held fast, keeping her close. Allowing the bile to pour over him. First a trickle then like a waterfall it splattered against his chest then the ground. Thick Ichor surrounded the two - the liquid like biting cold as it pooled, so thick and so much that it felt like the rising waters of a tide. It felt like it was too long. Too much time was passing. Too much was leaving the poor trembling woman. Her vision blurred as tears stung the corner of her eyes. Her body burned as it craved for the capacity to breathe once more.

Just as Mari thought she’d pass out from lack of oxygen it stopped. She slumped forward onto Montjoys shoulder, barely conscious. 

Mask on as soon as she’s out, okay?

It took all of her strength, all of her willpower to pull the mask over her face. As soon as she did her arm fell to her side, heavy. It was unclear if she was unconscious or not but it was clear she wasn’t able to move her body. Completely wrecked, completely drained. Yet…somehow it still wasn’t as bad as the first time when it was forcibly removed.

—

She slowly formed, thick ichor shifting into a more solid form - one that resembled Mari, if not for the shadowy flickers that licked at her body, if not for the oily sheen of darkness that covered her skin. She sat atop Montjoys lap - pushing Mari unceremoniously to the side, who slumped down to the ground - unmoving. 

“You wanted me to come out so badly you were willing to injure someone who just admitted she saw you as family?”  She laughed, that same light and melodious laugh that dripped with toxic vitterol.

“I knew!” She exclaimed in an almost delirious light as her hands dug into his shoulders. “From the first moment you dragged her into the void, you called to me, you woke me up again and oh how your voice sang.”

Original Application here:
https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/15355-housing-evaluation/?do=findComment&comment=609924&_rid=3361

Plot Size: Studio ($10 Donor) -> PKER Two-Story Home (-133500)
Original house plot cost : 40,000 buyback 74% = 30,000

TOTAL COST: 248,500 - 30,000 BUYBACK = 218,500 COL COST

Regarding Housing via Donor perks:

Housing plots and rooms granted by Donor perks will not refund col into your wallet. Instead, the amount that is "refunded" will count as equity toward future housing purchases. Their value will still be refunded at a 75% rate upon a sale, but will act as credit toward future housing purchases.

Room(s) Being Added: (Include assigned player(s) for homes)
Storage Closet 10,000
Master bedroom: 10,000
Master Bedroom Upgrade: 15,000
Slime Farm 10,000
Mega Slime Farm Upgrade: 15,000
Dining Room - 10000 (already owned but trying to work out costs)
Basement 10000
Living Room 10000
Bathroom: 10000
Master Bathroom Upgrade: 15000


Room(s) Being Upgraded: (Include assigned player(s))
Dining Room - Mari + Lancaster
Master Bedroom - Mari
Mega Slime Farm - Mari
Storage Closet - Mari
Living Room- Mari + Lancaster
Basement - Mari

Room(s) Being Re-Assigned: (Include newly assigned player(s) and a post link to the last time these rooms were assigned player(s))
 

-----

House Name: Frozen Cottage
A quaint cottage now made of stone that sits by one of the many frozen lakes on the 4th Floor - it is about a half hour walk from Snowfrost and hidden among the forest trees. A dim warm light often warms the surrounding area, even if no one is home - the fire is always burning. Offering solace and warmth.
Location:  Floor 4, in a clearing by a lake outside the safe zone. A thirty minute walk from the main settlement on the floor.
Plot Size:  Two Story Home
Room(s):  "Living Room" , "Master Bedroom"  ,Mega Slime Farm, Basement, Dining Room, Storage Closet
Total Cost: Donator Perk + XXX
Enhancements:

Relaxed: - Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Well Rested - -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Advanced Training -  10% Exp to a thread one per month 
Multipurpose:  Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Tasty: Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed. Lesser Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread. 
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)

----

<<FROZEN COTTAGE>>
Floor 04 // Frozen Lake
PK Accessible Plot

A quaint cottage now made of stone that sits by one of the many frozen lakes on the 4th Floor - it is about a half hour walk from Snow frost and hidden among the forest trees. Nestled in eternal snowfall means the path to the home is always obscured, and one could get lost if they do not know where they are going. 

The house sits on the edge of a large frozen lake, at night time strange blue lights dance over the frozen surface.

The house looks warm and inviting, and every so often when you pass the house you hear a strange melody, as though someone is playing the violin, but if you try to find its source you will find no one.

Behind the house, if you were to walk 10 minutes straight you'd come across a large mountainside, so steep it is impossible to climb without injuring yourself.

<<LIVING ROOM>>

The first room you entire upon stepping into the larger stone home. The living room sits adjacent to the dining room, with nothing but a low hanging ceiling to split the two spaces. The living room is filled with a large fireplace, and two chairs that sit right by it. Ready to warm a weary traveler.

<<DINING ROOM>>

<<MASTER BEDROOM>>

The master bedroom is covered an an assortment of lanterns that are somehow always burning, some of the lanterns have scorch marks beneath them. A large bed sits against a deep red coloured wall, covered in tapestries of fine silks that hang down and around the bed. Candles flicker on the night stand. The room flickers brightly, and warmly. One one side of the bed is a sprinkle of ash around the floor. Every so often one would notice burn or scorch marks throughout the room. One one side the large ornate windows open up to overlook the frozen lake.

<<BASEMENT>>

The descent into the basement hits you with a distinct scent of gasoline and ash in the air. There are scorch marks in the center of the basement floor, as though someone had repeatedly lit fires upon it. To the left is a wooden table with an array of half built mechanations, glass vials, and scattered notes in two distinct sets of handwriting. Scattered around the floor of the desk is shattered glass that never seems to be swept up. Random assortments of items litter the space, as though a kleptomaniac hoarder has claimed all manner of things and thrown it down below to be forgotten about.

Rooms Used 7 | 10

Yard Slots 1 | 1

Mari leaned forward, taking a bite of the cake. Very slowly dragging it off the fork - her crystalline eyes watching him. She pulled away with a slight lick of her lips. “Something sweet, to bite through the sour conversation.” She mused. Mari felt relief when he said he had little interest in killing her friends. Even more so when he said that Opals infiltration was a false report.

So that meant there wasn’t anything insidious hiding beneath the surface. At least…for now. He admitted they just wanted the frontlines to stop. She doubted they ever would. Mari shifted her weight so she was facing him now. Legs on either side of him. The chair groaned with their combined weight. “I admit…I’ve done more here than I could ever dream of.” A palm on his chest. “That includes you. I want to stay here with you. I want us to be locked away in a lab creating all manner of things. I want to watch your eyes ablaze with passion.”

Mari sighed. Closing her eyes. She wanted to move on from all the dour subjects, she wanted to wrap him in her arms and drag him to the floor. But she had one more pressing thing to tell him.

“I have a friend. Freyd.” She began. Hoping her movement wasn’t too distracting for the man. “He’s probably the closest person to me in this place beside you. Remember where we set that field alight?” She asked. “Before the concert? I took my friend there to deal with my gemini, because it was a place that brought me joy. In a mere matter of moments he figured out it was you Mi Amore. I hadn’t said a word. Hadn't planned to because at the time, I wasn’t sure what we were. I still don’t. But, I’d be remiss if i did not at least let you know”

That was everything…everything she had wanted to talk to him about. Everything she had wanted to show him. She had laid it all out for him, everything that was and is and would continue to be her. She offered so much, and he was asking for so little. Mari almost felt a little guilty.

Mari rose up her hand and navigated through her menu, a small notification would pop up on Lancasters screen. He had access to her home. Anytime. It meant, if she were to purchase the upgrades- he’d also have access to any of the buffs the rooms would provide. “For you.”

Mari tilted her head, messy hair spilling over her shoulders. “Despite everything…Lancaster the consuming tyrant. First Finger of the first hand of Laughing Coffin. Vincenzo Lionetti…Vincent…” She softly exhaled. “I love you.” And with that that she leaned in to nibble his ear, and a kiss of his neck. “The world would have to drag me to hell before it rids me of you.” 

The admission terrified Mari more than anything else ever had.

"The Laughing Coffin, a bit nebulous to say aloud I must admit." 

He wasn't wrong, he must have picked up on the dour expression Mari had given at saying the name. She wasn’t trying to. He explained how they found her effective, capable and ruthless. Parts of it felt like compliments, others…ruthless…not so much. He admitted they wouldn’t be able to control her. She snorted. Closing her eyes to think back on her mindset back then. “I don’t think even you could have controlled me back then, maybe... I was a fucking mess. All those chemicals you saw in my workshop? The contraptions? Imagine unbridled…the concoctions I made were terrible. They prayed on the weak. They caused people to quite literally…lose all sense of self and go insane. And I would consistently experiment on myself with them.” They weren’t exactly fond memories. Mari had to admit she missed creating things and testing the boundaries and limits of the game…but not in that way. Never in that way again. “I am not that person anymore. I asked out of curiosity.”  

Lancaster sighed at the name, and Mari guessed he did know her. Mari wasn’t super close to the woman - but she knew that Opal died trying to infiltrate the Laughing Coffin. It was…interesting to see that from their side- she was infiltrating the frontlines. If she had infiltrated the frontlines, and was dead. Wouldn’t that mean they would have sent another? That was probably bad. “From what I hear…she was attempting to also infiltrate your organization. Got too confident.” She didn't complete the sentence. She didn’t need to.

The admission meant Lancaster had been with the Coffin for a long time. He worked with Opal directly, and was privy to so many things. Mari kept a hand running against his chest. Always showing a kind of loving affection that she both craved, and craved to give to him.

“So…” Mari paused. This wasn’t a good idea. This put her in more danger. Didn’t it? Should she even say her thoughts? If she didn’t, she’d be holding herself back - and Mari didn’t want to do that anymore. Safety be damned. “If the person who had infiltrated the frontlines is gone - it's safe to assume there may be another… Lancaster.” Mari paused, turning her head. She pressed her lips to the underside of his chin. “I said I would protect you if anyone tried to hurt you. But if you-.” She placed emphasis on the word. Him. Although she’d be pained to see it, to admit it…it had to be said. The two were from vastly different worlds. “If you were to hurt them. I’d defend them too. Of course…” A hand gently ran over his cheek. “My heart would not allow me to kill you. Maybe I’d tranquilize you. Send you into a slumber for a few days, or maybe I’d be cruel enough to deny you myself for a week- but that’s a torment I don’t want to bear.” It was odd…it wasn’t meant to be a threat, she didn’t want to hurt him. But at the same time there was that certain electricity that came with such words. A danger that both excited her and scared her. She wondered if he’d pick up on that. 

“I won’t ask for you to change what you’re doing, I won’t ask for information I’m not privy to. I already know too much. If there is a first finger, one one hand there are others. 10 in total - if things were to be assumed, If Opal worked that closely with you…perhaps there’s 9. Frankly, I don’t care.” She tapped his chest ten times to enforce her point. “I would never ask you to change who you are Mi Amore, but who you are. What you are - I can’t let that hurt the people I’m close to. ”

This was a hard conversation. But one they had to have.

“The frontlines…”

Mari sighed, a deep heavy and weary sigh. The man already knew what she felt about them.

“I think about leaving it…and my guild sometimes…” Her fingers continued to tangle in Lancasters hair. “I’m essentially being dragged to the upcoming floor fight - Ugh. Don’t go to the 29th floor if you can help it, Mi Amore…it’s trash.” A slight tug on his silken strands and she continued. “After the raid, I think we’re supposed to come together for a meeting. It’s there I’ll decide If I’ll stay. You’re supposed to feel some kind of kindred connection with those in your guild, right?” It was a question with no answer. Rhetorical.

“The people I truly cared for in that guild disappeared - one remains, and he is a kind soul. I don’t think there’s a cruel bone in his entire body. But it just doesn’t feel the same with everyone gone.” It hurt to admit, and she wasn’t sure she should be venting this to Lancaster of all people, but it was nice to get it off her chest. She was ranting, things she’d kept bottled up so long in fear of being looked at differently but with the man before her - she could bare all. Leaving her guild didn’t mean she’d be alone. It didn’t mean she still couldn’t help her friends. It was just one less constraint on her. “One less prison.” She mumbled quietly. Closing her eyes. It wasn’t like Mari didn’t have options either if she chose. Firm Anima would welcome her. And hell, it wasn’t even a guarantee - maybe she’d feel better, more at home after the meeting. 

“Sorry, I ranted for a while there…I’m asking a lot of you tonight, Mi Amore, so if anything crosses your mind please - ask.”