Mari

Mari gave a sigh of relief, as she saw the familiar tuft of white hair approach them, "Zero!"  She turned to him, sounding awash with gratitude. "You're here."  She jabbed him hard in the chest with her finger, chastising him. "And you're LATE.  I was beginning to think you forgot." 

Mari gestured toward Raidou, "This is Raidou." Mari then pointed toward Zero, "And this, is  Zero. He was my original partner for this quest - but the a**hole was late."  

Mari quickly sent a party invite to Zero; "You're going to have to make it up to me later - Jerk." 
 

Mari has invited 'Zero' to join Party:
Do you Accept?

Mari turned to Raidou, noting that his expression seemed far off. "Err... you ok?"

Mari leant down, inspecting the treasure chest - it was the first chest she had seen in the game. She didn't want to accidently trip a trap or have her hand chewed off by a Mimic. It looked normal. "Well, no pain - no gain..." Mari mumbled to herself. Feeling considerably less stressed than what she had earlier - taking out her anger on that mob and shouting at it had made her feel better. 

Rolled a 17 on the d20 (Loot) dice. SUCCESS
150 Col + 2 Mats

Mari opened up the chest, inside was a decent amount of Col and two materials she could use for either herself or to take to a Blacksmith, the chest faded away once she had taken out the contents. Now, an eerie silence fell - and the cool air of the cave began to give Mari goosebumps. She looked a frightful mess, her hair was matted and tangled, and her face covered in dirt - streaked where she had been crying. Her jumper had been torn and her arms were bleeding. Her polka dot skirt was crumpled and torn at the hem, if Mari were to see herself now it'd probably send her spiralling into a mini panic attack. 

Leaning back on the cave wall Mari contemplated waiting for Lotharian or not, would it be worth continuing on? He was probably worried about her. Good. She thought, let him suffer, at that spiteful thought Mari decided that she WOULD continue onto the next room. Her previous fight with the Skeleton Warrior yielded no loot so she was still nowhere near her goal for the quest. In fact, she was right at the start - meanwhile Lotharian was probably off in the field reaping the benefits of it all. 

Mari bitterly mumbled to herself as she entered the next room; where two Skeleton Warriors lay in wait for her. She charged at the first one.

Rolled a 5 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Night Vision -1

She probably should have waited for her eyes to adjust to the darker room; her strike fell just short of its target.

Skeleton Warrior #1  10/10
Skeleton Warrior #2   10/10

Mari 15/19

Perma Dice ID #1075  (Chest)
Perma Dice ID #107  (Battle)

Mari bit  her lip as she forced back a smile at his new nickname for her. "Oohhh a nickname? How flattering." She teased. Although, at the mention of the meeting her smile faded slightly as she glanced away. "Yes, well - I've formed a guild and was invited.  I need to do the right thing, but I feel I am grossly unprepared. As I said in the meeting. I'm cannon fodder." 

She took a long sip from the iced tea, musing in a thoughtful tone; "The experience would be great - if I live. But that's what brings me to this horrible floor. There's a shark quest thing, was going to do it, but now..."

Mari turned back to Zero giving a sigh as she sprawled out - placing her head on the table. "I don't think I can do it on my own - my guild members are all too weak to help - and I hate the heat, the fourth  floor is my favourite - I love the snow, hate this dry heat. "
 

Mari sighed, rolling her eyes. She had hoped that the player was stronger than he was smart, they generally say brains over brawn, but hey- if she could have brawn at this point she'd take it. "I've already accepted the quest." Mari said, being careful to use a clear and concise tone.  "I was asking if you wanted to join a party. Are you ok, you seem to only hear every second word I say."  Mari added the next part under her breath, "more like every single word I say..."

At that moment, a party invite appeared before Mari;

Raidou has invited you to join a party, do you accept?

She watched as he wandered over to the fountain, did she really want to form a party with him? She couldn't exactly do it alone...and the other member she invited along was beyond fashionably late. Mari guessed she would have to continue without him. Mari clicked accept.

>> Yes

>Party formed with Raidou<

"No point in sitting down - how long do you think it takes to click 'accept' ?" Mari muttered in an annoyed tone - already forgetting that she was planning to be clear and 'nice' toward him.

Mari shouted at the Skeleton Warrior, taking her frustrations out on it, "WHY?" She screeched at the brainless mob. "WHY did you do that? You KNEW I was drunk and you still did it?" She pushed herself up of the ground, ignoring the bleeding scratches on her arms, and how dirty her attire had become - how out of place her hair was. "You don't have any SHAME and you have ....you have..." She balled up her fists, Dagger held tight in shaking hands, "the AUDACITY to act like you're censored sorry?"  Mari raised her dagger high over her head and struck the Skeleton.

Rolled a 8 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Night Vision -1

Finally....FINALLY she had landed a successful hit, the creature made a serious of clattering noises before exploding in an array of porygons. Mari gave a long sigh, wiping the tears from her eyes and the sweat from her brow onto a white jumper sleeve.

Mari quickly checked to see if there was any loot;

Mari didn't bother moving from her position on the floor- her anger turning into frustration. Angry tears formed in the corners of her eyes as she shouted at the Skeleton warrior, throwing her dagger uselessly toward it. "Just censored off you stupid censored! " 
 

Rolled a 2 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Night Vision -1

The dagger uselessly bounced off the warrior and landed on the ground next to her, the Skeleton Warrior bought its sword down  over Mari, who shielded her face with her arms - the strike cut clean across both her arms.

Mari twirled her iced tea with the straw that had been given to her; as she felt the presence of another sit before her she looked up, an angry glare across her  features - it was too hot to deal with crap from strangers today. Her scowl almost immediately disappeared when she realized it was Zero who had sat in front of her.

"Hello Cottonball." Mari said with a grin, "I suppose it has, we didn't get a chance to talk during that meeting eh? You looked surprised to see me there."
 

Mari had received an invitation by Moartea to join him for a quiet drink before going out to the fields to fight. He must have known that the 4th floor was her favourite. Mari loved the bite of the cold, and she enjoyed her talks with Moartea. It was a refreshing change from the constant flurry of anger and malice hurled her way, and after finding out who Uriel really was...it would be good to be able to talk to someone about it all. Mari didn't exactly want to talk to Life about it, because it would seem that Uriel would just send him into a blind rage.

Mari entered the Tavern; and spotted Moartea immediately. She gave him a nod and a smile as she approached him, taking a seat opposite him at the small table. "My, someone's dressed fancy today." Mari said, placing her elbow on the table so she could place her face in the palm of her hand. Mari ordered a Moscato wine - a very sweet tasting wine.

As it was placed before her she picked it up and took a dainty sip from it. "It's good to see you Moartea."

Mari stepped back from the wall,  rubbing her forehead, she turned when she heard someone else enter the cave. It was Alkor - what was he doing here. "Life asked you to help too?" Mari asked suspiciously. Mari wrinkled her nose, feeling the tingling pain from face planting the wall. "I don't think he needs help." Mari said in a huff, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked around the cave. There didn't seem to be any sign of him. 

The woman ran a hand through her candy coloured hair, scratching her head. "So - I assume he told you something about a battle to get you here?" Mari asked, she knew very little about Alkor, but the one thing she did know, is that he was obsessed with training and fighting. "It seems like he wanted us both here, but felt the need to lie to us..." Mari muttered, As she finished her sentence a trail of torches seemed to light up - creating a dimly lit path further into the cave. The path was adorned with a soft grass and flowers. She tilted her head, heading over the the path she knealt down to run her hand over the grass.

"Why would someone make this, it seems too...out of place to be generated by the game." Mari lightly laughed as she looked up at Alkor, "Life doesn't seem like the gardening type to me - do you think he did this?" 

Being angry wasn't doing Mari any favours - rather, it was throwing her off of her game. Mari was still only getting used to fighting - and this was her first real quest beyond the trek up to the second floor with Tristan. Mari sighed, taking a few deep breaths, but it wasn't working...she just wasn't calming down, Mari's fists were shaking and all she wanted to do was to punch Lotharian.

"Stupid censored and his stupid censored face!" Mari screamed as she swung at the Skeleton Warrior 

Rolled a 3 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Night Vision -1

Mari missed, not only did she miss but she tripped over a rock and fell face first into the ground. The Skeleton Warrior used this opportunity to strike at Mari, it swung the flat of its sword down on her back. it didn't cut her, but it still sent a shot of pain up her spine. Mari screamed, rolling over onto her back and shuffling away from the beast.

Perma Roller ID #1067



Skeleton Warrior 5/10

Mari 18/19

"Stupid Lotharian... " Mari mumbled as she readied her attack again, her and the skeleton Warrior sized one another up, circling each other in a sort of semi circle. Mari wanted this to be over, this entire stupid quest - so she could punch Lotharian in his stupid little face. Mari charged at the Skeleton, the more she thought about Lotharian, the angrier she got; sadly, Anger did not help the little girl in this battle.
 

Rolled a 6 on the d10 (battle) dice.
Night Vision -1

Mari  lunged forward to attack the Skeleton Warrior, but it lowered its head, and her blade bounced off the helmet, the skeleton tried to return the attack.
 

Rolled a 6 on the d10 (mob) dice.
Evasion -1

Mari was able to duck, and step to the side just before the blade hit her. She smirked, even in the dim lighting she was still able to effectively evade the attack

Skeleton Warrior 5/10

Mari 18/19

Perma Roller ID #1063

Mari didn’t hear the last of what Lotharian had to say, she didn’t care. She just wanted to get away from him and his stupid smooth words and his lies. She was pissed at him for taking advantage of her like that. Be damned for the excuse of alcohol.

Mari headed toward the second point on the Marker – Lotharian wouldn’t be killed by one lousy Elk. She just wanted to grab this armour and get back to the shop. The cave wasn’t very far from where her and Lotharian were fighting the Elk. Mari didn’t invest anything into Nightvision and she knew that being in the cave would lower her accuracy. Even with the few torches dotted along the cave walls - vision would be a very slight issue here.


<<In Cave -1 All Dice Rolls in Effect>>

Still, she heard the clattering of a single Skeleton Warrior – its gaping mouth hanging from it’s head. Mari furrowed her brow and kicked off to strike it.
 

Rolled a 7 on the d10 (battle) dice. 
Night vision -1

Rolled a 9 on the d10 (battle) dice. 
Eva -1

Mari succeeded; just barely- the strike bounced off the Skeleton Warriors helmet and into its eye socket, Mari pulled back, but not before it swung at her with her blade - effectively scratching the surface of her skin.

Skeleton Warrior 5/10
Mari 18/19
 

Perma Roll ID #1061

Mari sighed shaking her head;  "It's nothing important Moartea, really - I'm just - a little uncomfortable with how much power you seem to hold in the Crimson Inquisition." She offered him a small smile as she looked back up at him. "I see you are a good person, I know that. The entire guild just makes me uncomfortable." Mari glanced toward Uriel. 

"The fact that it allows people like that in it, doesn't speak well for it."

Mari shrugged her shoulders. "It's nothing against you, it just makes me feel....off."

Mari nodded toward Yuji, "I've seen you out and about on the higher level floors." She turned to Orhalimi, as Yuji expressed that perhaps if he had expressed it in a less aggressive manner things wouldn't have escalated, and Yuji was right. Orhalimi was on purposefully trying to instigate an issue, why? Who knew. 

"Yuji you pretty much said it, in a nutshell.  MacGrath if you need help with your Earning a Living quest to become a tailor please let one of the guild members know. I would personally help you however my hands are tied right now. It may also be good to open an announcement asking for a Tailor to help you gain your profession." 

Mari turned to fallen now, "That advice should be well heeded by all present, you included Orhalimi - wipe that smug look off your face."


Mari considered Fallen's proposal, a hunting trip. "That's a good idea, I think it'd be good for the guild members to come together and collect Materials - at the end of our hunt we will divide them equally among us. I'd suggest somewhere between the 2-3 floors; a few of us are higher levelled however many of us aren't. If you all feel you can tackle a higher floor than I wouldn't suggest any higher than the 5th floor. I'll make an announcement on the guild noticeboard when we come to a decision on that."


Mari paused, taking a breath - she needed to move onto the next matter; "Speaking of battles; many of you are aware there is a Floor boss fight occuring soon. Now, Yuji and Orhalimi have both requested to join." Mari turned to Orhalimi, it seemed he was the guild member who would give her the most trouble, "I've tried to convince Orhalimi not to go - as I would prefer all who did join be at least level 8 - but, as I have continuously said I can only offer advice if you insist on going I won't stop you. In that - Yuji - Orhalimi I want you two to work with our blacksmiths and Tailor to get suited up accordingly."



 

Mari accepted the Col, sure she could have let him play there for free; but she also could have charged him, and in these times, she needed all the Col she could get.

+100 Col

Mari let the man get back to what he was doing, he was a little rusty, but he seemed to pick himself up quite quickly. Mari decided to leave him be, she had to finish her crafting and prepare for another customer, she prepared by tuning her violin, picking up a recording crystal and setting it to record.

Rolled a 6 on the d12 (craft) dice
BAD
+1 Bad Grade  Monster Grenade
-1 Material 
1/3 Crafts available  16/11 2014
 

The tuning went well, but as Mari attempted to play though the chords she screwed a few up, the bow hitting the bridge of the violin. Mari sighed, placing the Violin on the store counter. She needed more Materials if she wanted to continue, she only had a few left.

Perma Roller ID #1056

((Are you effing kidding me? 3 critical fails? Damn....))


Mari stopped in her tracks, one hell of a passionate night? What was he on about? Mari furrowed her brows; she had drunk a lot that night….she remembered her time with Zero, but not with Lotharian.

Mari wasn’t sure what to feel.

“So. In other words – you – seeing I was drunk….” She trailed off, feeling sick in the stomach. Mari glanced down, then shot Lotharian a cold, hard stare. “Perhaps it’s a good thing I forgot.” Mari said, tone dripping with venom and malice as she pushed past him toward the Elk, pulling out what looked like a blood red crystal. It was one of the monster grenades she had recorded. It was just a good qaulity one. 

Mari threw it toward the Elk; it exploded in a flurry of sound and one of the songs she had recorded, started to play - lilting violin tunes warbled out and distracted the Elk - Mari now had the opportunity to attack thrice. She was clearly angry, and that anger translated to her fight.
 

Rolled a 3 on the d10 (battle) dice.

Her first strike missed, but Mari didn't stop, she had become violent - unusually aggressive, she grit her teeth, striking down again, relentlessly attacking the Elk.
 

Rolled a 5 on the d10 (battle) dice.

It was clear that her anger was affecting her ability to strike effectively; the intricate dagger bounced off the distracted Elks hide, and again Mari flung the dagger down into it's back

Rolled a 5 on the d10 (battle) dice.

The dagger bounced off the Elks haunch a third time - Mari had then kicked it to the floor, swearing violently as she stormed off toward the next marker; allowing Lotharian to deal with it on his own. "Do it your damn self - you seem to be good at taking advantage of censored" 
 

Perma Roll ID #1050
Perma Roll ID #1054
Perma Roll ID #1055
 

Mari didn't like the heat - especially the dry heat of a desert - however she knew there was a quest on this floor and she wanted to get a feel for it before attempting it. Running in blindly to a new area without first canvassing it was stupid. Mari had done a loop around the town of Armadillo, there didn't seem to be much around other than sand, sand and more sand. Mari had began to feel frustrated with it all - she hated being dirty and the wind just kept blowing sand all up in her hair, mouth eyes, shoes...you name it and it probably had sand in it. 

Mari, deciding that was enough looking around today; wanted  a drink. So where did she go? The local tavern of course! Mari wasn't planning on getting anything alcoholic - that was redundant in a place like this. She just wanted something cold, refreshing. When she entered the door slammed open with a loud BANG! 

Oops...

The wind had picked up, nearly throwing the door off its hinges, a few of the patrons nearby glanced up at her but Mari just glared back. "You couldn't afford me, sweethearts." She hissed at them as she headed to the table furthest away from everything - in a nice, cool, dark booth in the corner. A waitress came up to her and she just ordered an iced tea. 

 

Mari scoffed, "Eh? Average?" She shook her head, biting her tongue - it would not be wise to snap at and belittle her customers. "That Monster Grenade is of a perfect quality. The best of the best. Lucky you. I normally charge 500 Col for them. You use them by throwing them away from you in battle - the monster will get distracted. That one lasts for 3 turns - so effectively you can strike 4 times in a row. Most only last 1 turn, allowing you to strike twice."

Mari noticed that the customer also had a bow; "Eh? You play too. I don't sell music sheets here - again they cannot leave the store, but I don't mind if you practise in here - I'd charge you 100 Col for that as you are effectively renting out a space to play, and If I get other customers - you'll have to stop so I can serve them."

I used to, but now I can barely even pick up it and play anything ;___;  but I live vicariously through Lindsey Stirling ...hahaaha

Mari gave a nod - the man seemed new to the whole profession thing, the old Mari would have taken it without a moments notice, not hesitating to take advantage of someone - yet lately Mari just didn't seem to have the energy. "If you say so." Mari said, She sat there, tuning her violin as the other man leafed through her music books. He asked if she knew a song, and sadly - Mari did know it, but she was sure that it would require more than just the one violin.

"Yes, I do know of the song - sadly I am not sure how well it will sound with just myself playing. Still..."  Mari set up the recording Crystal -and picked up her Violin. It had been quite some time since she had played an uplifting song, at least - in her eyes it was. 

Rolled a 12 on the d12 (craft) dice
PERFECT
+1 Perfect Grade  Monster Grenade
-1 Material 
2/3 Crafts available  16/11 2014
 

And so, Mari started to play The Code, the grandeur of the song was lost without the accompanying instruments, but despite that Mari managed to beautifully play the core music, creating a melodic piece. Once finished, she smiled - stopping the recording. It was a perfect play through. The recorded music was now a dark crimson colour, with the name 'Perfect Monster Grenade' hovering above it. 

Mari went to hand it to her newest customer.

"Your Mat turned into this. It's yours if you want - they will distract a Mob for 3 turns - effectively allowing you to strike 3 times in a row without sustaining damage"

Perma Dice ID #1031

Another Violin player, YAY

I noticed you posting in my store thread and watne to say hello hello!

Mari watched as Lotharian struggled with the smaller wasp, she tilted her head and gave a slight frown - he seemed to be struggling in this game, then again...Mari never expected to be at the point she was at today. She didn't expect to have so much thrust on her shoulders - and Lotharian...he seemed to be still carrying that carefree air to him. Mari was a tad jealous. She touched the necklace around her neck, the Trophy of Iron Tusk - a simple strap of leather adorned with the polished remains of a tusk from a mob he killed. She still didn't really know much about that night - but he had made his intentions clear to her. It was why she invited him on this mission.

Mari decided she would leave him to it; he needed to fight his own battles and he seemed to be going well with health. She had potions if they needed them, but she had hoped to save them for the Hydra. Mari turned to Claim, "Heh, so - Tavern after this then?" Mari quirked a brow when she noticed Claim look behind her - Mari turned on her heal to see two Wasp Guards. 

"Looks like we're close to the boss guys. Home stretch." 

She didn't give a moments hesitation, Mari - being a performer was more agile than others, she was able to perform acrobatic moves, and this is just what she had done - Mari ducked under one of the wasps, sliding underneath it - then as it flew over her head Mari flipped up onto her hand - performing a one handed handstand - she bought her legs down over one of the wasps and knocked it out of the air. As it buzzed around on the ground she drove the dagger into the side of its abdomen.

Rolled a 7 on the d10 (battle) dice.
-5 HP
Rolled a 8 on the d10 (mob) dice

The wasp guard flapped its wings angrily, thrashing about its stinger, it grazed Mari's leg, causing insignificant damage - it scraped across her leg, Mari grunted - lifting her foot and stamping it down on the wasps stinger - it flailed around before freeing itself from her shoe and flying back to its compainion - buzzing angrily. 
 

Wasp Guard #1   5/10

Wasp  Guard #2  10/10

Mari: 18/19 HP

Perma Roller ID: #1030

COMPLETE


Mari
-200 Col
+66 Col
+1 SP

Life:

+ 66 Col

+ 1 SP

Uriel:  

+266 Col

 + 1 SP

Lotharian glanced at her - big brown eyes seemingly bothered; he turned away rubbing the back of his head and an awkward air settled between the two. Mari tilted her head, had she said something wrong?  "Memorable?" Mari rubbed her head, she didn't like the uncomfortable feeling or the tone between the two. She also felt she was forgetting something but wasn't exactly sure what it was. Mari crossed her arms and tilted her head to the side, pursing her lips in thought.

"You gave it to me...? Hmmmm....but I haven't seen you beyond that time in the Tavern. I mean, I did spend a night with cotton ball recently....Asagi...am I forgetting something?" 

Lotharian wasn't very talkative, he gave the necklace back to her, fingers lightly brushing against her neck as he lifted her hair with one hand and draped it over her with the second before clasping it at the back. "Thanks." She murmured, watching as he quickly began to leave - Mari stood up and followed him, her tiny legs struggling to keep up with his long strides.

"Geez, Asagi - what's with the attitude all of a sudden?" 

I can wholeheartedly agree