Mari

Freyd coughed -  and Mari's immediate thought was that he was uncomfortable, but then there was an awkward laugh that was - kinda sweet. It was the way he laughed. Most would consider a loud exclamation of noises laughter, but this? The small way his shoulders shook, like they were finally released from a heavy weight - and the tiny quirks of his mouth as it tried to curve upwards before he reigned them in. Ever so cautious of how he presented himself to the world.

"Then don't." Mari said as though it was the simplest answer in the world. "If you're uncomfortable with things then-" Mari gestured calmly to the door. "You are free to leave any time, but I'd be amiss if I didn't say that I kinda think ya need it. But I'm no maytr. I'd barely consider myself a nice person." Mari pulled her hand away and let it sit back into the folds of her Yukata within her lap. Why was it always her? People like Yuki, Hidden, Macradon...Oikawa They all had their burdens - and all had come to her in their time of need. Now Freyd, or she supposed Takashi was here. What was it about her that allowed people to do this? Mari kept a stoic face as her hands curled into her yukata, clutching the material tightly. Shoulders stiffening. "It's plenty fair."  If people were coming to her, regardless the reason - Mari would do her best to help them. No matter how tired she was. How lonely. She'd push through with a freckled smile. She'd rid them all of the monsters inside their heads. Mari had already fallen, there was no need for others to follow suit.

"I don't hide what I've done. The monument standing tall within the Town of Beginnings makes that impossible. Freyd..." Mari drew a deep breath. "I'm a murderer. A mass murderer. Those graves are reminders to myself, and to others that those people - they are human beings, much like you, and I took them. I took things I could never give back. I've experimented on the human psyche - and I've pushed people to do terrible things." Mari shook her head. "All I can do now, is make sure I don't fall back to that. To let the memories of those people live on through me and through bringing everyone else out of here. Nothing more, nothing less."

Mari straightened her back and pushed her hair back away from her face, offering Freyd a grin. "You're really no bother. I'm the one who offered to help. So- Takashi. What can Jacobs Ladder do to help you?"

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

I breathed deep, sucking in air through clenched teeth as I stared at the crystalized beast form and tower over us. It's words were meant to instill a fear of the unknown within the players, and perhaps I would have been unnerved by its proclamation. If I had not already discussed it with Freyd, a quick cursory glance his way- aaaaand he fell.I winced. That looked like it hurt, and was a little embarrassing. Time to rub it in. I wore an amused grin as I walked past him, placing the but end of my spear safely against his head. "Didn't think you fell for me but- there you are." I joked. 

Turning back to Skalaugh I activated the Dimension stampede Skill - This thing was powerful. Very powerful. Luckily I had First aid - I would be able to jump in as a healer if need be with crystals or skill but for now -

I pushed forward, tip of the spear dragging in the dirt behind me till I was close enough to strike - he stood too tall for me to jab any higher than his shins. But still, the attack was a success. 

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

Action:[x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above. 
22x15=330-75=  255 Damage dealt
ID:167671  BD:7+6=13-2=11

Lessa HP: 1210/1210 | EN: 112/112 | 22 DMG | 5 ACC | 1 EVA | 171 MIT | 54 THN | 1 HM | 1 REC | 36 BH
Haine HP: 1270/1270 | EN: 124/124 | 19 DMG | 4 ACC | 1 EVA | 66 MIT | 36 BLD 
[H: 3] Raidou HP:1625/1625 | EN:130/144 | 18 DMG | 4 ACC | 6 EVA | 176 MIT | TAUNT | 80 BH | Antidote:3/3 | Antioxidant | PARRY
[H: 0] Freyd HP: 1205/1205 | EN: 102/104 | 25 DMG  | 6 ACC | 4 EVA | 79 MIT | KEEN | 6 HLY | 36 BLD | 24 BH
[H: 1] Mari HP: 1570/1570  | EN: 137/154 | 22 DMG | 6 ACC | 5 EVA | 88 MIT | 24 BLD | 15 FLM-AURA | 72 BH  -17 EN
[H: 2] Oscar HP: 1370/1370 | EN: 122/134 [-12 EN] | 23 DMG | 5 ACC | 5 EVA | 151 MIT | 12 FLN | 36 BRN | 69 BH | -3 EN Cost | -1 EN Cost 1/3
[H: 1] Hidden HP: 1210/1210 | EN: 109/118 | 19 DMG | 6 ACC | 5 EVA | 124 MIT | 8 HLY | 121 VAMP-OFF | 60 BH
Crozeph HP: 1030/1030 | EN: 100/100 | 18 DMG | 4 ACC | 1 EVA | 54 MIT | FRZ | 2 REC | 1 LD | 30 BH
[Hate: Mark 11] Zajcica HP: 1510/1510 | EN: 130/130 | 6 DMG | 4 ACC | 279 MIT | 54 THN | 30 FLM-AURA | 21 FST-THN | Taunt | 36 BLD | 75 BH
Macradon HP: 1805/1805 | EN: 189/189 | 22 DMG | 4 ACC | 2 EVA | 152 MIT | 2 REC | 36 FST-THN | FRZ | 90 BH | 180 VMP-OFF
Kiluia HP: 1050/1050 | EN: 102/102 | 25 DMG | 5 ACC | 4 EVA | 124 MIT | ABS-ACC | 36 BLD | 1 REC | KEEN 
[H: 1] Night HP:1490/1490 | EN: 152/161| 23 DMG | 5 ACC | 6 EVA |124 MIT | 36 BRN | 36 BLD |72 BLIGHT | 24 TOX-VEN | 4 LD | 4 SD | 7 SR | 74 BH
Zandra HP: 1805/1805 | EN: 186/191 | 22 DMG | 5 ACC | 2 EVA | 197 MIT | 30 FLM-AURA | 90 BH
[H: 1] Morgenstern HP: 1510/1510  | EN: 128/142  | 22 DMG | 6 ACC | 1 EVA | 171 MIT | PAR-VNM | 25% DoT Reduce | FRPRF | PARA-IMN | BLDCLT | 76 BH 

"hmmmm... That means you are...err... Were at least a year younger than me. Gosh I don't know how old I am now. 28? 30? The flow of time is so messed up here." Mari had no real care if he knew her age it was not like she was trying to hide it. If anything, she was surprised to hear how close they were. Although, the more she spoke to him the more she could see it.

Mari watched quietly as Freyd open and closed his mouth, struggling to comprehend the simple action. It must have been painful for him, especially if such a small act caused such a vast reaction. It was almost as if he completely shut down, and for a moment Mari I was worried that she had done something wrong. Took things too far again. As she closed her eyes she couldn't help but recall life's voice echoing in the recesses of her mind.

Her former friend calling her cancer, a blight on the world. The words that rang most loud. 'You deserve to suffer.'

Mari had offered to reach out to him but hesitated. Her touch caused this in the first place. She was sure he didn't need her anywhere near him right now. Mari lowered her gaze to the table. Blue eyes tracing the patterns in the woodwork. she pulled her hand away from him and hit them beneath the table. Mari chewed on her cheek as she debated on a what to say next. What could she say? What could she do to make this better?

Takeshi, My name is Takeshi, and I need your help..."

Mari's head shot up at those pleading words. Again she felt the pain of guilt tear at her from inside. Clawing at her and telling her that she was selfish, all she was doing was sitting here fretting about herself when there was someone before her who was calling out for anyone to help him. And somehow, for some reason, that someone was her.

"Takeshi..." Mari spoke his name n a long drawn out whisper. It was hard to pick the tone of a voice, but it was clear they were traces of concern upon her words. 

Everything screamed at her to stop as Mari reached out with a tentative and unsure hand. The table was small enough for her to easily grasp his own with hers.

"If anything, today has shown me you're just as human as anyone." She squeezed his hand tighter. The warmth from her soft palm leaking into his cold fingers. "Thanks for trusting me with your name."

"I wasn't asking your actual age, no need to be so mysterious about it, Freyd." Mari said as she absently tapped the wooden surface. Her hands were always doing something, fidgeting, restless. A stark contrast to his neat and composed form. 

 "Too many of them are barely more than kids."

Mari laughed quietly to herself. "We are in a game. I'd imagine the target demographic is the recluse teen. Really." Mari sighed softly as she shut her eyes. "Though with you I'd say mayhaps moody adult? Jeez...I don't know what this world expects. I keep seeing younger and younger kids here and at first. It unnerves me, terrifies me. I ask why the f**k  are they here - but - we gotta remember. They were just playing a game. We all were." 

But things change.

Honestly, Mari, I don't really know what to make of most of this. 

There. It seemed like his perfectly stoic demeanor had cracked. He sounded tired. Fatigued. And who could blame him, just days -weeks ago he was chasing rumours and now it had suddenly become all too real. As he leaned back, telling her all he was willing to do Mari silently stood and shifted to the unused chair by the fire. She hefted the plushest, fluffiest, white blanket off of it and dragged it over to the Kotatsu. "I'm too tired for that. All that lying, cheating, manipulating. I Thought that was once the right thing to do. Why bother being close to people when they die or leave but..." Mari paused. It just made the world hate her. He would say that he didn't care - but no one could bear the weight of all that hatred and come out unscathed. No one.

"It's stupid to shoulder that all on your own though." Mari said quietly as she draped the heavy blanket over his back, tufts of white tickling his cheeks. Mari smoothed it out over his back and let her hands linger on his shoulders. "The reason I bought you here wasn't to intimidate you. But to offer you my help. I say what I say not to scare you but to give you the reality of my transgressions." Mari leaned over Freyd to pick up the intricately designed teapot. So she could fill his half empty cup. Steam rose as liquid sloshed , breaking an otherwise still silence.

"I ain't good with words. I can't offer you much profound advice, nor can I talk as though I were plucked from some sort of play or movie...where everything just falls into line. If anything..." Mari finally shifted away from him. Socked feet padding away from him - no longer encroaching on his personal space. Mari knew how much people hated it when she did that, when she was close. But for those brief moments it looked almost like he needed it. "I'm more likely to fumble them. To say something messed up." She had done so, countless times in the past. "I'm human, after all." She added with a tired, wry smile.

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

"At first I thought you were a kid." Mari said, perhaps a little too honestly. She had been watching him since she had calmed down. His eyes, again with that almost crimson gleam to them flitted about her room every so often. His gaze lingered on random objects. The windowsill, the fireplace - the covered mirror. As though he was drinking in every little detail. As though it all had some secret waiting to be revealed. Mari had to admit, it was a little interesting to watch his process.

"Not just your words, but your actions. It's...how do I put it..." Mari drank from the cup to give herself time to find the right words. How would one describe the  Freyd in front of her? The first thought was arrogant asshole - but Mari had to remember he was just matching her, tit for tat. "Mature, I guess." It wasn't the word Mari wanted to use, but she didn't want to let too much silence linger between her words.

"It wouldn't surprise me." Mari said quietly as she shifted blue eyes down to the half full cup. Mari absently swirled it. "Cardinal probably has a number of AI to help run itself. It's sorta something out of a sci-fi movie or isekai anime. Except..." Mari lowered her cup and ran her hand over the smooth finish of the table, twitching at the slightly sticky residue leftover from the spilled tea earlier. It was all so real. "This is reality." Mari hated to say it. She kept thinking she'd wake up and that her husband wasn't an two timing asshole, her daughter would be alive - and she'd be on her way home from her business trip.  But each and every day was a grim reminder that those times were long gone.

"The fight against Skalaugh the Reaver got me thinking... data never really just disappears. Heck - we saw proof of it. Simple mobs remembering all the times we killed them. Rallying under the banner of some kinda crystal...crystal..." Mari paused and rolled her hand trying to find the right word. "Crystal behemoth!" She said with a slap down on the table. "Ah- Sorry. " She was perhaps a little too exuberant with that outburst. 

Mari's eyes followed Freyd's fingers as they shifted across the table. "I haven't done calming the soul yet." Let there be Light was a different story, that was the one with the lost child. Mari swallowed, closing her eyes and lightly shaking the memory from her head. The NPC child was...uncanny. A little too much like the 'perfect child' it unnerved Mari. "But - I agree with everything else. Those things are strapped to our slowly rotting carcasses out the-" Mari bit her tongue. That wasn't pleasant was it? She was getting too comfortable.

"I mean- those machines are strapped to our heads. Powerful enough to cook our brains - who knows what else its doing. How capable...." Mari stopped. Guilt. She felt guilt. "How...capable it is of affecting us - changing our emotions...just think. All it could have taken - is a single angry alchemist to create potions that could enrage you. Create great sadness, or addictive euphoria." Mari unfurled her legs from beneath her, letting them slink further beneath the kotatsu. She lifted up neatly manicured fingers as they danced upon invisible piano keys in the air. "Concoctions that make us loose our minds."

"But..."

Somewhere between all those explanations - her tone shifted. Calm, calculating. Unnerving. The way she spoke of such things. Her hand slowly lowered to place upon the table. Ice eyes staring at Freyd with a dangerous clarity. "Such things are no longer possible. The very system itself ruling such things too dangerous. Too chaotic. Yet here it is, that very system..." Mari lifted her eyes to the ceiling.

"Creating that same chaos. "

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

It took a few moments for Mari to recollect herself, she quietly picked up the cup and although it was an act in futility - for the spilled drink would soon disappear Mari pulled a handkerchief from her inventory and wiped the wooden surface clean. Her brows furrowed. The hell was his game? Mari invited him here for a friendly chat. He didn't have to chide her like that - Mari was joking. But did he have to keep making such hurtful quips? The Kimono suited her. She looked great. "Tch.." What a rort. Such dumb flattery wouldn't work on her. Mari was wise enough to know those words held little truth. 

"You asked-"

Asshole

He even had the audacity to ask her to refill his cup. As though the pot weren't within his own damn reach. Mari clenched her jaw. She wanted to push him out and away from her home. Sure, she started it, but she should have known better. Or maybe, she simply underestimated him. Mari really didn't want reminders about herself. Mari drew in a sharp breath through her nose and held it there a moment. There was nothing to gain from being angry at him. She was the one at fault. She chided him, she goaded him and he reciprocated unexpectedly. Mari pushed her feelings down.

Mari carefully poured him another tea; her face blank as she listened to him. "I'd say its unusual for NPCs to bait players like that but-" Mari paused, leaning back and away from Freyd. "It's not the first time I've heard of such things. I once..." Mari paused. Not sure if she was willing to share the information with a near stranger, especially one like Freyd. Mari shifted her gaze away. Right...she had entered a cave before with Life - he had lead her there fully aware of the insidious design of the place. How it created a ghostly visage of her daughter - had it screeching at her. Calling Mari a monster. Wanting her to die. Then there was the calming the soul quest. That was where her former best friend had also tried to kill her.

"There are places....and quests..." Mari started quietly. "That are there to play on our insecurities - to push us to our emotional limits. I don't think its a mistake, glitch, nor an accident. Right from the start-" Mari shifted her eyes back to Freyd.  "This place - it's nothing more than a playground for a madman to test the limits of the human psyche, don't you think?" Credit where it was due; despite her earlier frustrations and flustered misshap, Mari was quick to recover - perhaps not so much recover but mask it. So used to pushing things down to her being able to focus and forget her own needs became second nature to the woman.  If someone where to walk in on the two now, it was clear that the one who held command of the room was Mari. Sharp blue eyes trapped Freyd in their gaze - soft lips pressed into a stoic line. Back straight and shoulders back. Tensed. Ready to strike if she so deemed it.

Freyd pulled out a strange token and Mari reached out to pluck it from his hand in a single fluid motion. "mmm..." Mari turned it over and over between thumb and fingers. "Vigilon? Brattly little kid with a dragon? Yeh. I know him. Needs to get a better grip on himself and his familiar. But - something you said bothers me.  Encryption keys? Encoding and Decoding? I ain't really tech savvy but isn't that kinda impossible? A place like Aincrad..." Mari paused as she carelessly tossed the trinket back onto the table.

"I Can believe everything else....But -You tellin' me some angsty hero or anti-hero wanna-be teenagers or whatever can actively get access to millions of lines of code-" Mari paused and corrected herself, "Contentiously updating million lines of code and just....boop. Something onto it or outta it?" Mari scoffed. "That. I don't believe. Unless..." Mari shifted her body forward. Leaning her arms on the table so she could further encroach into his space. 

"You're implyin' that this is all the work of NPCs?"

Mari ignored the line where she could have died, she was well beyond caring for that right now. "And if it were - then perhaps we, the players are right in the middle of warring lines of data? Hmm?"

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

Hook, line, and sinker...

Oh!  Is that the real reason why you called me here?"

"What!?" Her own joke backfired, the tips of her ears and her cheeks warming with the embarrassment of such an accusation. "Please." Mari chided as she lifted the cup to her face, masking her mouth behind it. "I'm not that invested in your lil' fantas-" She abruptly stopped as Freyd continued. Curiosity snapping her jaw shut - Mari remained silent as she took a long, loud sip from her cup. Furrowed eyes watching him. He was more dangerous than she thought. Mari had originally dismissed him as some sort of bumbling teenager. But the way he held himself, and the deep reverb of his voice. He was quite possibly older.

The cup slowly lowered to the table as he explained his ridiculous story. "I dunno how good I'd be at rallying others. I'm not exactly someone people really look up to." Mari said thoughtfully, ignoring the rest of the dream for now. She was doing her best to keep a stoic expression, though it was clear from her tone of voice that she found the dream nothing short of....surprising. She half expected the dream to be more malicious.  One about murder, mayhem - the usual thing that people relate to her. Mari's expression soured briefly as she thought of Zandra and her accusations toward Mari. About how Mari had apparently enjoyed killing, had killed two dozen or more people. The name Lisona constantly thrown around. But Macradon confirmed it - no such name even existed on the monument. Lies. 

Mari lifted her cup to take another sip only to splutter it as Freyd told her that 'dream her' told him to find her after it was all over. "I-what?" Mari wiped her chin with the back of her hand. "I told you to find me?"  Mari shook her head. "Of all the- look. This sounds a little odd - but I..." What was she to say? That she'd never just outright tell someone to find her? Simply for falling in line? 

"That's....definitely not what I-."

"Oh, and you were naked, of course."

Her cup clattered to the Kotatsu, its contents spilling as the cup rolled to the floor. If she wasn't red before she was now. "Who in their righti fu**ing mind would ever want to see that!" She exclaimed. 
@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

It suits you
    It's a rather plain kimono isn't it?
                  It doesn't stand out, but that works for you, no?


She relaxed as he did, watching Freyd ease tired and sore muscles by the kotatsu, not under - at least not what she could see. But enough. "Mmmm...." Mari didn't quite get his phrasing, even after he pointed to the teapot, connecting it to the great wave. "I suppose." It'd be rude for her to dismiss it, wouldn't it? Her gaze lingered on the teapot. Three fishing boats up against the might of an unexpected wave. Was that it? Were they all just destined to be constantly beaten down by wave after wave of unexpected bullsh*t? Mari took another sip from her own cup. Bitter - but with tones of honeyed sweetness from the milk. Remarkably similar to how sh'ed have made it at home. Mari slowly closed her eyes. That...was a pretty grim way of looking at things. It wouldn't be fair to just shove that on top of his shoulders. "They pull through, though." Mari said simply as she set her cup down. "The fishermen that is." Mari added as she gestured again to the teapot.  "They have to. They're bringing fish to a market. To their home. If not them, who? if they are swallowed up by the sudden wave- what would become of their home?

Mari shrugged. This was getting a little too introspective for her liking. "Course-" Her tone shifted to a more light-hearted one as she waved off her own words dismissively. "We're talking about a painting not real life, right?" She asked, almost as though she knew the contrasts between the two. The similarities.  Mari set her cup down and began to trace the rim of it.

"Since we're both fine and dandy - would you tell me more about your little problem?" Mari shifted, leaning forward. Placing a elbow on the table so she could rest her chin in her hand. "And i I'm being honest. I'm kinda curious about this dream you had." Mari offered him a wry grin. "It's nothing insidious or naughty, is it?"

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

"Freyd..." Mari greeted him with the same smile she was used to wearing. Pleasant. Welcoming. There was no need to worry about this meeting. They were just talking, she didn't know him well enough to have a solid impression of him but she had a good enough indicator that he head a solid head on his shoulders. Mari opened her door wider to allow him to enter - stepping to the side. A wave of warmth spilled over the threshold between inside and out. "Thanks for coming."

Directly opposite the door was a small table; enough to fit two if they were to squish together, on it a layer of dust. It was clear Mari didn't use it. To the right; a roaring fireplace, there is a place to put a pot to cook food, but the hook was currently empty. The floor before the fireplace looked like it had been draped in a few different indescribable animal skins. If anyone were to look closer there'd probably be cheeto dust crunched into them from a child that she often looked after. In front of the fireplace are two chairs facing opposite each other; made from a rich red velvet, adorned in pillows. One was in disarray, the other remained pristine. There is also a small mirror on the left hand wall, round without trimming. It was covered by a sheet of material.

To the immediate left, right by the window is a small corner that looked like it didn't quite belong in the room - cobble floor fell away to a light tatami mat - and atop that sat a Kotasu table. It's surface made of a wood that had been stained a golden brown. The surrounding material, thick and plush made of blue. Atop the table sat a small ornate teapot - painted with the images of the 'Great Wave of Kanagawa' and beside it two matching cups.

Mari gestured toward the Kotatsu. "Uh, here - " She gestured toward the warm table, the feelings of unease beginning to bubble up. "I  hope this is okay, if not we can go sit at the table back there -" Mari jutted her thumb to the table behind them, against the far wall. "But I find nothing better than sharing stories over a hot cup of tea to warm the inside." Mari patted her stomach twice for emphasis.

"So - you holding up okay after that battle?" Mari asked as she headed for the Kotasu, kneeling down by one side she carefully tucked her legs into it before shifting to a cross-legged position. Mari carefully picked up the teapot and poured first for her guest, then for her. 

A sweet, milky matcha tea.

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

 

People went around the table, offering their support and possible positions. Some people. Others were staying silent, for whatever reason - Mari couldn't exactly blame them. The meeting was large - but she still felt a little frustrated. Whilst this was going on Mari lifted her hand and opened her HUD as the conversations continued. She best put things into her skill set. Mari blinked. Seeing the large amount of unused skill points sitting there. Over a hundred.... Course, she had always been inattentive to those sort of things. But after her discussions with Shield and Baldur Mari knew what she needed to do. Mari first bought a mod increase slot - not that she needed it. Then proceeded to Purchase First aid, along with Field Medic.  Sharpness would have been nice, so would the barrier. "Mmmm..."

Mari turned to @Shield "Hey, think I should get this barrier thing too? Kinda worried my energy consumption is gonna be awfully high this fight."  Mari turned back to Morgenstern - as he bought up a really good point. "Ahh..." Mari shifted her gaze to Macradon. Didn't he mention something about those chains? As her thoughts wandered, Macradon confirmed her suspicions. 

"So we want everyone to have the capability to heal..." Mari paused and nodded her head in thanks toward @Zandra "Thanks for the crystals. This enables every player to have a full stack of recovery crystals. So each group would ideally have everyone with full healing crystal stacks, a glowstone user, DPS, and Tank." 

Mari glanced at the new list in front of Baldur. Her brows furrowed, feeling a little irked. It seemed so....empty in contrast to the players here. "I get that it may be a little soon to start talking about groupings right now..." Mari muttered. She knew she'd probably cause the ire of many of the people here- but they probably already disliked her anyway.  "But honestly, we're not gonna get anywhere like this. Would it be so hard for people to at least list what roles they're capable of? Why be here if ya'll gonna sit around?"

She  bit her tongue, the words sounded...more callous than she intended. "Sorry I just-" Mari paused and took a deep breath, she glanced over at Baldur. What she'd give to be able to remain as calm as he did. "I currently have no issue with the proposed groups." He had placed her with her best friend, Mari wasn't sure if that was intentional or not, but Mari knew she worked well with Macradon. 

"It'd be wise to consider the players who aren't able to make it to the meeting, have positions open for them to jump in on - but you've already kinda considered that. So.." Mari drummed her fingers against the small table. "I don't have anything further to add."

The battle wasnt exactly tedious - the worst thing to happen to any of them was Calrex being covered in a sticky, gooey, glob of mess. Mari snorted, trying to cover her mouth at the situation. It was almost comical. "Is this...even real?" Mari asked as she watched the sludgey slew of peeps begin to split into a hoarde of smaller peeps again. They bounced around the players feet. Leaving wet squelches around as they picked up traces of dirt and grime.
 

<<Eat the Peeps>>

Mari grimaced. "D-do they really want us to keep tryina eat them?" She nudged away one of the peeps with her booted foot. "At least its almost dead, right?" Mari asked as she turned to Macradon and Calrex. "Hopefully when it reforms we can defeat it once and for all. Then we can all go soak in the bath for an hour..." She glanced back at the wadded up marshmellow almagoram. "Or maybe a year."


Passive: +1 EN
Action: none taken

[H: 1] @Mari - 1410/1410  | EN: 97/138 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 43 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BH: 67 | BRN: 24 | BLD: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15  +1 EN
[H: 5] Macradon - 1940/1940 | EN: 158/189 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 107 | 4 ACC | EVA: 2 | BHL: 97 | FTH: 36 (21) | FRZ: 6 | REC: 6 | HLY: 12 | PHS: 1 | VMP: 194 
[H: 6] Calrex - 1696/1805 | EN: 104/176 EN | DMG: 16 | MIT: 116 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 | BHL: 88 | IMMO 30 | ACH: 0.5 

The Giant Peep: 684/2000 HP | 30 DMG | 3 ACC | 0 EVA | 150 MIT | STUN: 
Ability: Every three turns, the Peep splits into smaller Peeps. Players then have the opportunity to play Chubby Bunny with the peeps by rolling a CD. The CD corresponds to the number of Peeps one can shove down their gullet and still speak. After the Chubby Bunny phase, the Giant Peep reforms and players gain bonuses equal to the amount of Peeps they ingested.
1-3 Peeps - Phase
4-6 Peeps - Apply Burn on a BD8
7-9 Peeps - Holy Proc on the player’s next Critical.
10-12 Peeps - Next successful attack procs double Fallen.

@Calrex @Macradon

If Mari was being brutally honest she didn't want to reach out and talk to him. Nothing against Freyd - of course. Mari was just terrible at social interactions. At best, she was seen as some sort of chastising protector. At worst, a maddened bloodthirsty murderer. Lately Mari found myself feeling more and more disconnected from those around her. Like she was just playing the part that people wanted, or needed. But...was that really so bad? Everything had become so overwhelming lately, and she was so tired. But - Mari had no right to let herself stop now.

Her lips opened in a soft exhale, her breath warming the bitter winter winds as she lifted her hand to write a message;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: Freyd
From: Mari
Lets meet up to discuss this Sundered issue. I want a better understanding of it. 
I'll be at XXX-XXX for the day. If you're free come to the cottage.
-Mari
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Her habit of terribly short and blunt messages was one that Mari did not plan to break. Did she appear cold in them? Probably. Did it matter? Probably not. With a flourish the HUD disappeared and Mari took a single step off of the wooden porch. Wincing slightly as she sunk into the snow - ankle deep. The cold prickled her bare feet but Mari persevered. One deep step in front of the other as she rounded the lake by her small cottage. 

On the other side - sat a few stone shrines - originally there was just the one - for Crozephs brother. Marking the place he had fallen. Now- there sat 8. Each of them littered with a thick blanket of snow. Each of them flickering with an ever glowing light. Mari began her grim daily ritual, carefully dusting the snow off of each pillar. Each representing someone that had fallen  by her blade. Evelyn. Argumail. Tom. Sugar. Spice. Toshi. Echo. Aubrey. No matter how much Mari would try, no matter how much she pushed forward and smiled - and tried to rectify things. These are people who were lost. Because of her own actions, her inability to diffuse a situation, and her rage at a world that hated her. Silently, she finished - and trudged back through the snow and into her home.

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows
----

If I can't go on and I loose my way, I will sacrifice my heart and let it fray to pieces

Mari snorted. Holding in a laugh from his comment, then - her smile faded as she remembered someone else. What was his name again? The guy who hated her cause of the perceived relationship between her and Alkor? Mari bit her tongue. Sh*t. This would bother her till she remembered. Mari was going to comment how it felt more like..."Arc!" Mari shouted the name then quickly covered her mouth. OOPS. "I Uh.... uhm I mean...." Crap. Crap. Crap. "I mean...uh... eheh... that sounds like something he'd say but..." Mari felt flustered. She tried to wave off her faux paux. "But I mean, they're your friends you know them way better than me I'm just an acquaintance to them at best. I probably annoyed them a while  back anyway, typical Mari am I right?" She added with dizzying speed.

Mari grabbed the bridge of her nose. Deep breath in. Hold. Exhale. And push everything down. "No, when I came back I was pretty weak." Mari admitted. "I threw myself into fighting. Learning. Actually letting others help for once." Her furrowed brows softened when they rested on Alkor. "I feel like I'm far better off than I was - but. I'm still climbing. We all are."

The two were walking side by side now - still an arms breadth apart. "You weren't a letdown - I appreciate the company. Sides - its good practice. I'm still new to the whole dagger tied to a stick thing."   Mari turned to him when he thanked her.

"Likewise, Thom."

@Alkor

Mari laughed, weirdly relieved to see that he had the same problem as her when it came to his attack missing. "I'm sure if Corvo were here he'd ask are you sure its the lizard that rocked you?" With one hand still clutching the spear she waved off the comment dismissively. "I kid, by the way." 

"Tch." Mari couldn't be mad at Alkor for missing. She could be mad at the Sando Setsu for trying to fling her off. Mari hunkered down, then with a violent motion ripped her spear out of his head. "w-whoa..." Mari struggled to stay on his head as the beast tried to thrash her off. "STOP." Mari stabbed it. "IT!" And again. "WE'RE." A third stab. "TALKING!" And a fourth.

With the fourth the Sando Satsu gave a guttural roar before exploding beneath her. Mari fell- and managed to land on her feet. "Phew..." She wiped her brow. Grimacing at the sweat. She paused. Wait...was I this sweaty when... Her eyes shifted to Alkor. sh*t. Not that it mattered. Right? Mari shook her head and bent down to pick up the item that was dropped. 

"Well...." Mari glanced down at herself then to Alkor. "That didn't err..." They both looked a right mess. Disheveled clothes and red faces, both with sand stuck to their skin. "Go according to plan but here-"  Mari threw Alkor the item. She didn't need it. "A promise is a promise."

Now that the fight was over, and things had settled, should she address what happened? Mari kicked at the sand. Should she apologize? It wasn't exactly her fault. But - Mari knew how Alkor was about being close to people. He could barely stand someone holding his sleeve. Let alone... 

Mari cleared her throat. 

"So. Should we get outta here?"

Mari put her weapon away and began walking out of the arena, past Alkor as she began to pat the sand off her clothes. "All things aside- I enjoyed this." She paused. "I mean, hanging with you again. It's been nice." Mari turned to look over her shoulder at him. "Sorry about before."


@Alkor

Passive: +1 EN
Action:Action: [x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above. 
ID:167078  BD: 2 + 4= hit  19X15=285-220 = 265

Alkor.  520/620 HP | 47/60 EN | 10 DMG | 48 MIT | 1 EVA | 3 ACC | 1 BLT (BD 9-10)

Mari  - HP 1490/1490  | EN: 129/146 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15

Sando Satsu:  HP: 0/350 | DAM: 150 | 30 MIT  

She did remember.
     It  did only just happen after all. 
                 Goodbye sweet innocence

"I know you can be an ass at times..." Mari began- she knew it was an accident - the look of absolute shock was evident enough. Alkor was reserved, and even a good liar - but emotions like that? They were hard to fake. "But - hmm..," Crap, even she didn't have a joke for this situation. Mari coughed as she pushed herself off the floor- quickly patting herself off. Her face red. Did he really have to fall on her behind?    "I guess that's all Behind us now."  Mari added with a triumphant grin. As embarrassing as it was. It felt like that one action was the final blow that cracked the ice between them. At least she finally pulled a pun out from, well, you know where.


"Well....Things are gonna be a lil harder now." Mari said before spitting sand out of her mouth. Without her charged attack she'd do less damage.But - she still had this. Now wasn't the time to be clambering about. 


Mari lowered her form and twisted her feet in the sand to get a better grip. She wasn't charging now - so she'd have better accuracy. Forward she went, keeping low, ducking under a powerful swing that threatened to throw her right back down. Mari drew in close and drove the tip of the spear into the underside of Sando Satsu's  neck. Without pause the ginger tore it out then jabbed it right into his armpit. Mari jerked the spear out, took a step back and jabbed it into his chest. 

Using this as an opportunity to get off the sand Mari jumped on it as though it were a thin springboard - somersaulting in the air she pulled her spear out and then landed with a final heavy blow to his eye. Mari remained pinned there. Weapon imbedded into Setsu's skull.

"Go for it!" She called out to Alkor

@Alkor

Passive: +1 EN
Action:Action: [x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above. 
ID:167070  BD: 6 + 4= hit  19X15=285-220 = 265

Alkor.  520/620 HP | 60/60 EN | 10 DMG | 48 MIT | 1 EVA | 3 ACC | 1 BLT (BD 9-10)

Mari  - HP 1490/1490  | EN: 128/146 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 |-17 EN

Sando Satsu:  HP: 85/350 | DAM: 150 | 30 MIT  -265

ominus: When he reaches 175 hp, he grows massive in size upping his damage to 150 and mitigation to 30 for the rest of the fight.

"Mmmm...."  Mari was going over her stats - she was hoping to wipe it out in a single hit - but....hubris- she was so used to wiping out smaller enemies since she upgraded her weapon choice that Mari had stopped crushing damage crystals. If she had - she could have destroyed it in a single hit. Mari sighed as she closed her HUD.

Mari readied her spear and took a step forward. Her demeanor changed. The jovial smile that she always plastered on her face disappeared into a thin line. "This thing doesn't work off of hate." Mari said plainly. "So either one of us could be targeted. You can survive a few hits, but we'll finish this off in two. Attacks." Mari turned her attention away from the growling Sando Satsu. Sharp blue eyes on Alkor.

"In and out. Let's get this done. I'll start and you follow up and finish it off. No matter how this ends, I'll throw you the item." 

As she spoke, her spear lit up, a sign that she had activated a Sword Art. Mari glanced over hr shoulder at the beast- globs of white drool fell down from his scaled maw which opened wide to reveal row upon row of razor sharp teeth. Mari...didn't want to see Alkor get hurt. Sure, the pain was non existent, and he wouldn't die -even from a critical hit - but still...

Watching people she cared about getting hurt still got to her, how people were desensitized to that kinda scared Mari. But now was not the time for such concerns - she kicked up and off. Now -she could prove to Alkor, to everyone how much she had grown. How much she continues to try and grow. All she had to do was-

As Mari leapt up off the sand to attack the flimsy flooring beneath her gave way - and Sando Setsu batted her away. Back of its scaled hand colliding with her back and pushing her through the air, only to land smack BANG in front of Alkor, in an awkward position. Mari swore several times as she tried to push herself back up and out of the sand, only to fall back into it, in a defeated hump.

"F**k."

She said again.



ROLLING
Action: [x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above. 
ID"167068 5+19= 24x15=360-20= 340
OK BUT MISSED

 Mari    [H:0/0/0] - HP 1490/1490  | EN: 144/146 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 |-2 EN

Sando Satsu:  HP: 350/350 | DAM: 100 | 20 MIT

<Sando Satsu> is a Field Boss and has the following statistics:
Health: 350 HP
+20 Mitigation

Damage per Attack: 100
Sando Satsu ignores Block, Evasion, and Mitigation. But does not do bonus damage on a 9-10
- Cull of the Meek: On a natural roll of 10 he will spin with his weapon at maximum reach hitting everyone in the fight. He will gain 10 hp per person hit.
- Dominus: When he reaches 175 hp, he grows massive in size upping his damage to 150 and mitigation to 30 for the rest of the fight.

@Alkor

"You..." I breathed as Raidou apologized. I still didn't entirely like the guy - not that I had much to  base things off of. "Yeh well..." I wasn't good in situations like this. "It's...fine." I said quietly at first, then repeated in fear that he didn't hear me. "It's fine!" I waved off his concerns. "Just next time maybe not try to force someone to spill all their emotions and shit when you first meet next time, yeh?" I tried to give him a grin - but it fell flat. I was tired.

I didn't have time to process the apology properly, nor give Raidou any further words of gratitude, as Hidden had come up to us.

"You knew this was going to happen and I dunno, mention it?" 

"Hidden...."

My voice broke the silence left in the words between her tirade - and yet, in her own typical way. She continued - in a huff of angered words. She really did remind me of myself. I shut my eyes and waited for her to finish. I was always so angry...I always lashed out at everything and everyone around me. I hated it. Them. This world. I crouched down in the mud, ignoring the stains on the flaps of my yukata. I could no longer see her, but I knew she was there, somewhere. Preparing for battle. Smart. 

"You know...I'd probably have reacted the same way in the past..." I said thoughtfully. "Especially after almost drowning. I'd be pissed." I offered the empty space a wry grin. Feeling a little silly in doing so. For all I knew she could have been long gone. A part of me wanted to reach out to her and comfort her in some way. I really did see myself in that twisted rage filled face, and in those vehement words. But...

She didn't really need me.

No one did.

What more could I really say to her? Words of encouragement? Offers of help? She was already off, Hidden away to prepare for battle. With a long and low exhale I pushed myself back up to a standing position. Shifting my attention to Freyd. He seemed. Different somehow. Angst-ier? My eyes narrowed as I lifted my chin to study him. Why is everyone taller than me?

"You uh...." I struggled to find the words to say, well, the right words. The first thing that came to mind was that he seemed like he had jumped straight outta one of those isekai anime's - or maybe he was a character in one of those batman comics. "Seem a little different to what I'd expect." I finally said, lifting a hand to push muddied hair away from my freckled face. I watched as he summoned his weapon, barely hiding a snort at the theatrics. The air around Freyd though. It was cold. Calculating. Hell, he wasn't even like this when we were fighting those Sundered Vanguards. Was it because his guild leader was here, or were those earlier encounters a front? Another facet of him? I coughed and averted my gaze. The hell did it matter?

"I see Oscar is here..." I said as I opened up my own HUD. "He's probably messaging other members of the Tarot. I'll try to bring members of Jacobs Ladder here."  My words sounded confident, but internally, I wasn't so sure. I hadn't seen Baldur at the event, and it screamed him. Shield...he was simply gone. But, I guess we weren't close enough for him to tell me his plans. The more I thought about it the bigger the pain in my chest. It felt like the past was repeating. That Life was right and I naught but a poison to those around me. I just had to push those thoughts down. Push it down. Move forward. Fight to get everyone else out of here.

 

Quote

To: @Baldur @Shield @Oikawa  @Calrex @Beat @Crozeph
You are the stronger members within Jacobs Ladder. There has been an issue. The lake has separated during the Tanabata event and players have fallen down. Any backup would be appreciated. Bring teleport crystals and healing items if you can make it.

-Mari.

Despite my reservations I forced another smile on my face. "I've messaged the others. Since this is...." I shifted my gaze across the muddy field - if it could be called that. Outcrops of stone littered the lake bed. Every few feet there were fish, some dead-others struggling, suffocating, dying. Tendrils of reeds and weeds sat lifeless against the ground. Weighed down by gravity. And the stench of mossy mildew hung dense around us. I wrinkled my nose.  "A right f**king mess." That seemed to be the best way to explain it.  "But- I'll do my best to make sure everyone else gets outta here." I turned my gaze to Freyd. "Even if I have to embed a teleportation crystal into ya chest and force you outta here myself."  He probably wasn't in the mood for jokes.

But what did I care? He could be all angsty emo anime protagonist at me all day and I'd barely bat an eye.


@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows @Hidden @Raidou

In one moment, I was quietly sitting upon a hill, overlooking the gentle sway of the lake below, with the hustle and bustle of the town behind me. It felt a little lonely, and it tugged tight against my chest. But I found a strange sense of peace upon that hill...maybe it was the lively atmosphere. I often forget how much I miss such simple things. The lively chatter, the colours of the players. The warmth on the air. A stark contrast to the usual bitter cold on the fourth floor.

The next moment was a sudden shatter of crystalline data - my eyes widened in shock. My heart accelerating in a rush of adrenaline - lighting my blood on fire as the grassy knoll beneath me disappeared. The scenery around me a blur. The lake disappeared, and swallowed me up as the water parted ways. The drop...well....

The end was coming. My body knotted up in realization that this was it. No player would survive the fall, and even if they could...the army of enemies would. They looked like a writhing mass of flesh and bone. Even from this height I could see them glistening from the moisture of the lake, and smell the damp decay that emanated from them. 

Even so...Even so...

I'm alright with this.

It wasn't exactly the way I wanted to die... Hell, I almost didn't want to. And yet...I find my eyes fluttering closed. Shielding myself from the gruesome fate below. I exhaled, and found myself in an odd sense of acceptance. Blocking my sight made me aware of other things. Tiny strands of hair belting my face, the flapping sound of my yukata in the wind. The cold that bit my cheeks. Yeh...this was fine. Such a death would be instantaneous. There'd be no pain, and I'd finally be with my daughter. I never planned on making it out of Aincrad anyway.

Any time now...

...

I waited for an impact that did not come. My speed was halted, and instead of landing on dagger and sword I felt a strange warmth in the wind as I was gently placed on the ground.  "W-wh-huh?" I blinked, confused. My head whipped to either side...Was I the only one that had been saved? That couldn't be, shouldn't be. I of all people didn't deserve-

The sudden pang of fear dissipated. It appeared that other players had been thrust into the field, and had all made it. Some sort of divine intervention had stopped them all, no. Us all from such a fate. I exhaled. relieved. At least I wasn't the only one. I don't know what I'd do if I had been the only one spared.

One step in front of the other drew me toward the nearest player. Freyd, I recognized the auburn mop of hair. Did this have something to do with that Vanguard he was chasing? He  did say they would attack the event. My steps squelched in the ground as I reached out and placed a firm yet gentle hand on his shoulder. "Hey." I started softly. "Do you...think this has anything to do with those things we faced earlier?" I asked.

I felt unnerved, not by the way we were suddenly thrust into such a predicament, but how easily I had accepted my fate. I chewed my cheek. Should it have been that easy? Did I really not care to fight for my life? I watched as Freyd turned around. I always thought he had brown eyes, but this close... I could see a soft hue of crimson that warmed them. Players like him. Like Crozeph and Yuki and Aiko. 

I just have to keep pushing it down.

I plastered a smile upon my face. Now was not the time to worry about myself. Now was the time to be strong. "Told ya' I'd be there to help."  I held out my hand and in a flash the mahogany handled spear I was given from Shield appeared in my hand. Right. Jacobs Ladder is depending on me. There is no time for myself. Another flash, and I was wearing my leather harness over the Yukata. I didn't have much time to change. Not when we were surrounded by enemies. So instead I pulled on the thick fabric, loosening it around my legs. I gave Freyd a wider grin that broke my freckled cheeks. I probably looked a mess, tousled hair, clothing a mess. But none of that mattered now.

What mattered. Where the lives around me. Even that of Raidou - as annoying as he was. I shifted a blue gaze toward him.  "You look....well."  It was the best I could Muster. I didn't like the guy. Bloody idiot wouldn't take no for an answer. Still. I wouldn't let my personal grudges get in the way.

@Raidou  @Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

 [Gained +3 DMG, +2 ACC, +2 EVA, 15*Tier Mitigation]

Mari snorted at his reaction. She wasn't sure what to call it, skeptical? Unsure? Incredulous seemed like a good word. "Sschhea....as I said where I come from snow is...well, non existent. So it was kinda nice to see it here."  And when I was teaching in Japan. Mari thought to herself. She kept that tidbit away. No need to bother Alkor with random facts about her life.  "Would I call it a fix though..." Mari tapped her lip in mock thought. It was clear the two lived in different countries. If Mari were to take a guess, she'd say he was US based. There werent really many sandy regions in Japan or China. As far as Mari knew - the game didn't release anywhere else. Not legally at least. 

"Dunno, I guess back then I'd just want to seas the day." She added emphasis on the word. They weren't by the beach, so the pun was a stretch. But Mari wasn't one to shy away from a challenge. She even added a extremely awkward thumbs up in his direction. Just to add emphasis to the terrible joke. Mari turned away from Alkor and opened up her inventory. She didn't have much in terms of actual sleds but....

Mari pulled out two dull looking circular shields. Unidentified objects. "These will do." Mari tossed one to the sand in front of him with a deadened 'thump' She then proceeded to sit in her own, legs neatly pressed against her chest. All she had to do was lean forward to tip the weight.

This...was good right. They were talking. They were pushing past the uncertainties - and. Mari blinked. She wasn't forcing this on him was she? Mari turned to Alkor, the brief look of alarmed concern flashing across her eyes. "I uh! I mean....you don't have to sled down but..." She cleared her throat and replaced the corn with an obnoxious grin. "But I'm going to. The arenas at the bottom - I'm lookin' forward to showing you my moves." She gave him a wink before tilting her body forward-

and
D
    o
        w
             n

she went.

Wooshing past him and her worries in a single, adrenaline charged swoop.

"Raidou..." Mari breathed as she ran her hand through her hair. "Seems I've literally slapped some sense into him." Her encounter with the man was...not the best. "We met. He was very pushy. Kept demanding I open up my feelings and talk it through. Thing is. I wasn't gonna do that with some stranger. Guy needed to learn that no means no." Mari added with an annoyed huff as she crossed her arms over her chest.  

Besides, I don't have time for what I feel. Not when so many others are relying on me

"Still..." Mari added after a moments pause. "It's good...if yanno - he's got a guild and people to back him up. Seems like the guy who needs it." Mari turned from Cordelia to Freyd. "Seems we're all a little run down..." Mari released her arms and offered the two a smile. "Let's head back to the event before it wraps up. I got some stars to deliver to some annoying brats."

Mari turned on her heel then paused. She glanced over her shoulder, tousled orange hair shifting in the breeze. "IF any of you need it. Just message me - I'll be there. Yeh?" Mari diverted her gaze as she opened up her HUD, shooting Freyd a friend request. Normally - Mari didn't like adding people willy nilly. But Freyd looked like he had a good head on his shoulders. And this was an important matter.

Mari shut her eyes. All she could do was continue on. Push down what she felt. And ensure everyone else made it out of Aincrad. "See ya." Mari said as she gave them a final wave goodbye.

-Mari leaves the thread

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows  @Cordelia

"You know..." Mari said with a sigh as she shoved the tip of her spear into the ground and leaned her body weight against its shaft. "I don't think I'll ever get over  seeing people I care about be thrown around or hit like ragdolls. I get the pain isn't there. Hell-" She snorted. "Half the time the danger is non existent. It's just alarming seeing that yanno?" Her eyes shifted to where the previous waves of Vanguard had come from. At least they were  gone...for now.

"The Tarot..." Mari repeated- she'd heard of it, in passing. But wasn't familiar with its members or leadership. "Leveling guild....so I'd  say that's similar to Jacobs Ladder." Mari commented as she slid further down the pole till she came to a crouching position just above the grassy plain.  "I'm Mari. Although..." She gave Freyd a wry grin. "I'd say you've met be before, once upon a dream."  The smile faded, as did her jovial tone - "Mmm." The less he knew about her, the better, right? But Hiding things was just as bad as lying. Lie by omission and all that.

Mari's brows furrowed as she chewed the inside of her cheek. If he wanted to know her, he could do his own research right? The topic at hand was guilds, not speckled pasts. "I'm a Guild Leader within a leveling/Frontline guild known as Jacobs Ladder. Our goal is to help others well climb up and outta Aincrad." Mari wasn't big on the naming convention of the guild, she still thought 'Super Best Friends Club' was a better name. "I think informing a few guilds about this threat would be useful. You....shouldn't try burdening this own your own err shoulders." Mari wasn't good with words. "But - I mean - " She drew a deep breath and continued, easing herself into a fully seated position upon the grass.

"I know a lot of people who'd be willing to help. Strong players like Baldur, Shield...Macradon - yeh he'd help for sure." Mari said, adding names to Cordelia's list. "They would wanna know. There's a Jacobs Ladder event happening after the Tanabata festival. Mostly just grinding for materials and Col for the upcoming fight and a picnic. I can bring it up to the guild then."

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows @Cordelia

 

Mari gave Macradon a quiet nod. She didn't feel worthy. "I...don't think I'd ever feel like I deserved that." She muttered silently to herself. Being able to feel safe and comforted in a town? Away from mobs and other PKers, in a no-kill zone. It...sounded nice, but... she didn't deserve that. Mari wrapped her arms around herself as thy walked. Macradon voiced his frustrations with his guild. Even going as far as to blame himself for parts of it. "Mac..." She said, exasperated. "You shouldn't be so ready to blame yourself. You're the only active member in the guild. You can't carry the entire weight of it on your-" Mari bit her tongue. Letting him continue. She still felt he was placing too much upon his own shoulders. 

"Guilds be damned Mac...that sounds painful and lonely. Is that really-" Mari abruptly stopped when she realized how condescending she must have sounded. "Sorry. No, yeh. I get where ya comin' from. Thanks for...yanno, taking it into consideration."

"Y-you think?" Mari asked as he mentioned that joining may hinder his school. "Mmm...." Mari hadn't considered that. "I'd...like to think that joining wouldn't hurt your school...but - if you're seeing a way where it would then I trust your judgement." Mari offered him a reassuring smile. "You know I have your back with that school, regardless of what you do."

@Macradon

Mari bought her knees up to her chest - a little hard to do with how tightly wrapped the kimono was. Her eyes stayed focused on the night sky. A part of her didn't really want to leave Macradon alone - but...seeing these lights dance across the sky. A festival about two lovers? She felt like she may be stealing too much of his time when he should really be spending it with the person he loves.

"Mmmm...."

Mari placed her chin gently atop her knees. Her fingers drumming silently against the thick material of her Yukata. This...was nice. The air was warm, and the sky light in an amazing array of dancing lights as the meteors streaked across the sky. She was better off now, perhaps, more so than her entire time within Aincrad. She had people she could trust and rely on. She had a few friends. She even had a guild againn. So why...

Her mouth quirked down into the slightest of frowns. So why....did she  feel so alone right now? 

A slight angle of her chin, back toward the festival - all she had to do was get up off the small hill and rejoin them. The feeling sinking in the pit of her stomach was nothing short of her own fault. Even so. Even so Mari remained resolute in her position. "At least...until the meteor shower ends...." She told herself.

"Spritely lil' fella, ain't he?" Mari asked Cordelia as she watched Freyd run off again. She quickly followed suit, footfalls keeping up pace behind. "I mean, yer a little crazy." Mari called out to Freyd. "But, we all are down here- right?" She offered him a wide, toothy grin. Hoping he'd get the joke. Or reference, else she'd look like a right ol' idiot.

"Naw." Mari fluttered her eyes at Cordelia. She had to admit, hanging out with the other woman was helping lift her spirits. "Anything for you!" And with that Mari kicked off, rallying a charge combined with her Weeping Moon AoE. "What the fu-" Her words were drowned out with the clang of spear against metal - as she ricocheted off the first Vanguard- then as she tried to right herself mid-attack she missed the second. Mari's back arched in the air before she finally twisted herself around to deal a fatal blow to the remaining two guards.

"Well..." Mari said as she rolled her neck, rubbing her shoulder with her free hand. "Half is better than none...right?" 
It wasn't right - Mari had completely missed the first two - they shifted right by her with an unexpected speed.. She grit her teeth as she watched the oncoming attack. The two remaining Vanguards swarmed poor Cordelia - Mari shifted, her foot crunching into the soft earth below as she belted toward her friend, ready to push her out of the way - but...

A warning strike?

On either side of her, they had landed their blows. Missing her, just barely. Mari placed a hand on her chest and exhaled a sigh of relief. "That was close, you okay there, Cord? Freyd?" Mari asked.


@Cordelia @Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

ACTION:  CHARGED WEEPING MOON AOE
[x9 AoE] Weeping Moon (9 Energy +2 per target hit) - Do a single and powerful 360-degree spin
5+ 19= 24 x 9 = 216

ID:165838  BD:2-1=1+4=5 MISS
ID: 165839 BD: 1 miss
ID:165840 BD: 9 HIT
ID:165841 BD: 4-1=3+4=7 HIT

Passive +1 EN
Freyd | HP:820/820 | EN:36/80 | DMG:20 | MIT:43 | EVA:3 | ACC:4 | KEEN:1 | HLY:2 | BLD:12
Cordelia | HP: 1200/1200 | EN: 84/118 | 25 DMG | 25 MIT | 5 ACC | 3 EVA | 1 PARA VNM [DF] | PHSE | 12 HLY | ABS. ACC 
Mari |  HP 1312/ 1490  | EN: 107/146 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 -13

(1,1,0) Sundered Vanguard #5 | HP:144/584 | DMG:219 
(1,1,0) Sundered Vanguard #6 | HP:144/584 | DMG:219 
(1,1,0) Sundered Vanguard #7 | HP:0/584 | DMG:219 --216
(2,1,0) Sundered Vanguard #8 | HP:0/584 | DMG:219 -216

Sundered Vanguard 1- ID: 165842 MOb 6-3=3  MISS CORDELIA
Sundered Vanguard 2- ID: 165843  MOB:7-3=4  MISS

Sundered Vanguard 3 Loot
ID:165844   CD: 8  LD: 10
LD even: HP*2 Col 1168
CD even:HP*2 Col 1168
HP*3 Col 1752 Col
Loot table: HP Col - 584 Col , 1 x T3 Rare Trinket
10 Gold stars

Sundered Vanguard 4 Loot
ID:165845  CD:2 LD: 12
HP*3 Col 1752 Col
LD even: HP*2 Col 1168
CD even:HP*2 Col 1168
Loot Table: 1x T3 Rare Trinket
12 Gold Stars
 

Total Mari Loot
16,352 Col

33 Gold Stars
2 X T3 Materials
3 x T3 Rare Trinket  [165750]. [165844]. [165845]

As Freyd mentioned Oscar Mari snorted. "OH yeh, Oscar the grouch." It amused her - mostly because Oscar was far from a 'grouch' but his name always sparked that sense of nostalgia within Mari. She glanced side ward at Cordelia. The two were engaged. Cordelia laughed softly, running a hand through her hair before whispering words of concern. Mari cleared her throat - "Well....knowing Oscar he probably didn't think too much of it at the time." Mari said, trying to alleviate the concerns Cordelia was no doubt having. "Sides, if I were him I probably wouldn't want to worry you." She did her best not to give away Cordelia's relationship with the man - as that was none of Mari's business to divulge to Freyd.

"I've been....pretty absent actually." Mari admitted, the guilt evident on her face as her brows crinkled. "So - I dunno how much of a target I'd be for mobs. Though, I'd be used to it by now." An uneasy, self depreciating laugh fell through Mari's lips as she tugged nervously on her hair. She was still an orange player -and even if she had taken redemption. She'd still always be a murderer. Mari bit her lip at the thought. If only she had been stronger...

"Although...I have to agree..." Mari said as she trailed off. "I'd have tried contacting some frontliners - especially if it were in the hundreds. But hey..." Mari tried to offer Freyd a reassuring smile as she stepped up and gave him a lighthearted slap on the back. "It's a good thing you ran into us - you got two frontliners here - and a Guild Leader. Guess your dreams meant something after all." She added with a wry grin.

The two exchanged information about the previous event - of which Mari was absent from. Mari shifted her gaze away from them. It was another reminder of just how much she had missed during her isolation. It made her feel uneasy, as though she was standing on the fringe of a world where she would never truly belong. But - Mari pushed those feelings aside. "You know I can't really have a buncha weird mobs ruin an event, there's been enough death in this world as is. So I guess you can count me in too."

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows @Cordelia