Mari

"A warm meal huh?"  Mari repeated, walking over to her dagger and picking it up. "I can't remember much of what warm meals are like; or beds. God I miss beds, I miss that warmth and that comfort. I miss that safety you feel as you snuggle up under the covers; knowing your door is locked up tight." 

Mari shrugged as she threw her dagger at the next Nepent; it impaled directly into its head and it shattered; Mari beant down and picked up her dagger, placing it back into her pocket. "The price to pay for being a killer, eh?"
 

Battle Dice: 7+2
Damage: 9

Nepents 1 dead
Nepent 2 8/8

Mari let him grab her by her collar, he - like practically everyone else in Aincrad was taller than her and he managed to lift her feet off the ground. She let him yell in her face, eyes blurred with tears. He said he'd never let his frustrations get the best of him, and sheathed his sword. "You're better than me, and you're right - I did kill a part of myself." Mari lowered her gaze. It was so easy to tell this story now, scarily so. Had she numbed herself that much? "I had a sick and twisted man, force me to kill my own daughter; there is no redemption for me. Ever."

Noticing him cry, Mari reached out to wipe the tears from his eyes. She could do that much at least, right? But he stepped back - into the safe zone. Mari stood there with her hands outstretched for a few seconds before lowering them, he asked himself to snap out of it, saying his name. At least Mari knew his name now. "Being orange, its a horrible burden; and it's one your friend could not stand; if not for me - he may have just thrown himself off the edge of the world - or he would have been hunted by far more remorseless people than I. It will never excuse my actions. Nor do I expect you to look at me with anything other than hate in your eyes."

Another…another… Mari had killed again, and this time…this time it felt almost too simple and that scared her. Mari took on the bounty because she had assumed the worst. She assumed the guy killed for joy, just as his friend had talked about, but after hearing his story; Mari didn’t have the heart or desire to hurt him anymore, but she knew that Alkor was after him – and in a sense Zelrius too, in the end she had killed him. She told herself it was to do him some sort of justice, but was that really the case?

Mari wanted to consult with Alkor over this; she had been messaging him on and off the past few days – and knew where he would  be, and if he wasn’t there she’d wait there for him.

Mari was on the 9^th floor; far from the main cities; a desserted part where seldom tread. She couldn’t blame them – the floor was freaking hot. “He had to be on this damn floor…” She mumbled bitterly to herself. She finally managed to find the cave she ventured in. It was much, much cooler inside than it was outside. She had ventured in a fair ways till she found a smaller cavern; and in it a sleeping Alkor.

Sneaking up on him whilst he was asleep; that would have some severe ramifications. Still, it was something she couldn’t resist doing. Mari snuck up on him, then flicked his head.

“Yo, sleeping beauty.”

Mari laughed at his comment, seemingly in some small form of disdain. "Hit a nerve?" She asked playfully. "Maybe we should have a half hp duel sometime?" She asked, normally she wouldn't bother duelling with anyone. She did not enjoy fighting people, still if it was with Alkor - maybe, just maybe she would make an exception to that rule.

Mari's smile faded when Alkor said he wanted to keep in touch - not that she wasn't happy to hear that. His words just came as a bit of a shock to her, and when he turned away...stating that it was nice. Mari felt her cheeks grow hot, and she knew that she must have been blushing something fierce. He started on about her eyes and turned to her with a large grin; Mari tried to stare at him, with furrowed brows and a large pout. She wasn't sure what to feel about his compliments. They kept coming.

Mari gave a huff and turned away from him. "Well someone's gotta watch it, those eyes of yours don't see everything, Alkor."   Mari felt his presence leave her side and at that, she turned back to face him, voice lowering and turning serious. "No Alkor, I won't do anything daft. I have a little set up in a cave on the 2nd Floor - I'll go there and rest for the night."

Mari stood, breaching the gap between them once more, she gave him a light squeeze on his shoulder. "Let's do this again, soon." She said as she continued forward. The two parted ways there. Mari wasn't sure how Alkor was feeling but she felt much better.

 

COMPLETE

Mari: 100 Col + 1 SP
Alkor: 100 Col + 1 SP

Mari nodded in agreement, "Honestly, that's exactly how I feel about them - I just wasn't able to put it into words." Mari equipped her blade, three or four? They didn't look like they had a lot of health either - Mari would easily be able to wipe them out in a single hit.  Mari targeted the nearest Neopet, or Nepent or whatever it was. Mari went to strike, throwing her dagger at the creature but it just laughed at her and scampered off back into the bushes. It didn't even attempt to attack.

"W-what the...?"

Battle Dice: 2 + 2 = FAIL
Perma Dice Roller #3619

Nepents 1 8/8
Nepent 2 8/8

Celesmeh 39/39
Mari 43/43 

Mari didn't flinch nor did she intend to kill the other traumatized man as he pointed a shaking sword at her. "Yes, I am a killer." She said with a hollow voice, still looking at the place where Tom had died, the snow remained pure and white; as though such a battle had never taken place. 

"He got it protecting others right?" Mari asked, looking up at Crozeph. "I have no excuse for what I did, but your friend had a very, very high bounty on his head set by one of the strongest players in Aincrad. A dear friend of mine, Alkor was also wanting to kill him. Alkor is a ruthless fighter. He would have struck Tom down without remorse - and he would not have listened to any last requests, nor would he share the bounty." Mari stood up, watching as he lowered his sword, she tilted her head. "Take your frustrations out if you want. I have no intention on killing anyone else today, I doubt you'd be able to kill me."

Mari carefully pushed his sword up toward her again; "I have no satisfying reason."

Mari shrugged her shoulders. "I am not too....happy to owe any one any particular favours but as it stands right now - I suppose my desire for alcohol and food that isn't stale bread wins out on this one." Mari stretched, arching her back and placing her arms out straight high over her head. "It's about time you said your name. My name is Mari." She said, introducing herself in a less than polite way.

Mari smirked when Raijin said he wasn't looking for anyone nice or kind, he was simply looking for allies - so that he had people to fall back on, and a quick way to obtain levels and power. He sounded like her, or at least how she used to be. Although Mari wasn't so quick to trust or accept anyone. Raijin said that her guild was one that he could get used to, "That's fine. Frankly I couldn't give a damn if you liked it or not. I am not catering to your needs."  Mari sighed, "So - you got a profession yet? The guild has 3 blacksmiths, 2 merchants and a performer." 

Mari bit her lip as Tom reached out and thanked her, she grabbed his hand and squeezed it, offering him some last sort of comfort and solace. "You have a brother right?" She asked, "I'll be sure to give him your belongings, and part of the bounty. I will be true to my word." 

Mari watched as he shattered away, into nothing; she had taken another life, just when would it stop? Mari never wanted to take a single life, let alone three. Mari picked up the items

GAINED Coat of midnight +2 evasion
GAINED Golems bane +1 Damage 

She placed them away in her inventory. Yuji came up to her; he seemed torn. "I need to wait for someone Yuji. I'm sorry, but I made a promise to Tom, so - the least I can do is uphold that, after what I've done - but before the guild meeting; I would want to talk to you. I've stolen something very precious from you."

Mari glanced up to see another player, within the safe zone - he seemed very distraught, it made Mari's heart heavy to see the ramifications of her actions, but if it weren't her, then Tom's death would be far more brutal.

Zelrius:


Bounty Complete


I got in before you Alkor; at least Tom died a somewhat peaceful death. 
 

((No worries Tom that's ok!)

Mari turned to Yuji, staring at him with sad blue eyes. Why did he have to be here? Why did he have to see this? Mari wasn't exactly thrilled to have him here, it seems as though he and a few others who were in the safe zone were on some sort of friendly outing - and here she was - taking that away. Destroying so many lives and relationships in one, haste action.  "Yuji..." Mari began; turning away from the battle to face him, she'd explain the situation but there was no real solice she could offer her second in command. "Tom has a very, very, large bounty on his head - he has a number of players who are hunting him down." Mari offered her guild member, the second in command a weak smile. "Hearing his story - I'd normally leave him be - but I fear, he won't live long, regardless. Alkor is after him. As much as I adore Alkor he is a ruthless person in battle - he'd not hear Tom's pleas, or requests. He'd tear into the boy in cold blood. I understand if you no longer wish to be associated with me, or the guild after this."

Mari looked over at Tom, he'd die here. He'd die here by her hand, and that was something Mari could not ever excuse. 

"I have no excuse for what I will be doing today; Tom I will honour your wishes, and if your brother seeks my head in retribution then so be it."

He tried swiping at her, but he missed; Mari didn't even attempt to dodge; if he had managed to hit her then at least she'd have been hurt. Mari went to strike again, she had no energy behind her strike and yet - and yet...she still managed to deal a critical blow. As she struck him a second time, being precise to hit the exact same place to cause as little pain as possible. Mari watched as his health depleted to zero; she let her dagger drop to the floor as she caught Tom and carefully lowered him to the floor in her arms.

"I am sorry."


Battle Dice: 10 +2 = 12
Damage: 10

Perma Dice ID #3614

Mari  45/45
Tom: 0/17 - DECEASED
 

Mari gave a small smile as Moartea tapped her foot in an attempt to cheer her up. "I appreciate and adore the sentiments Moartea. Let's head to the first floor maybe; the nights are always warm there - and I am rarely bothered by other players." Mari stood up, this time - for once, she was able to offer him her hand. Oh how the tides have turned. "I may be the same Mari to you - but I am a mess on the inside. Let's go to the first floor and finish your silly question game eh?"
 

(In future remember that names don't appear above peoples heads in SAO - but the markers do; so you can see she is a PKer but you can't see her name))
 

Mari shrugged; "I'd be a pretty useless person, either here in game or in reality if simply tripping over someone hurt me." She muttered. Mari seemed to debate to sit down. She sighed, finally choosing to sit, nestling herself in the soft green grass below her. She listened to his odd request. "I don't exactly know what ways you want me to show you. I'm just barrelling through the game myself." Mari smirked, "But I can't exactly turn down an offer for free food, or what..." She tilted her head to the side, tapping her lip in mock thought. "My chance at a little errand boy?" The name came off as more of an insult as Mari had intended, of course - she wasn't tactful. She often said the wrong thing, or was unable to find the right words to fully express things.

"A guild eh..." Mari gave him a small nod. "That is something I can offer. I am not a nice person er..." Mari trailed off, realizing she did not know his name. She stared at him silently a few moments - blue orbs assessing his appearance before she settled on a nick name for him. "Look Hoodman, I ain't a nice person. I don't have a lot of nice things to say. I cannot offer words of wisdom or comfort, but if you are in my guild I can assure you - you'd be looked after." 

Mari didn't like this; it felt so unnatural. He seemed so ready to die. She sighed. "Why are you so willing? Aren't you worried? Scared?" She approached him, raising her dagger to him; slicing it diagonally across his torso. Her single strike placed his HP into the yellow. Her blue eyes became  half lidded. There was no joy or victory in this sort of battle. She didn't understand how Daeron said he enjoyed this. All Mari felt was an empty, hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't killing for self defence, she wasn't killing to protect other players.


She was simply Killing.

Mari wanted to, in a strange way protect Tom; from the others who were hunting him - they would not be as kind as she. "That day, you asked me what it was like to be a Pker; you seemed like you wanted to kill. Do you regret it?" She asked, voice hollow.



 

Battle Dice: 6 +2 = 8
Perma Dice ID #3610

Mari  45/45
Tom: 9/17
 

((In a Duel you need to use the Perma Roller to determine who has first strike, whoever has the highest Loot Roll gets first strike I think))


Mari sighed; as she accepted the duel request. "You know; hearing that - I'd let you be. I'd walk away. I have no place in killing someone who was protecting others, but..." She trailed off, her cerulean gaze darting to the side. Was what she was doing right? He seemed so ready to die. If she didn't do this, then Alkor would, if not Alkor than someone else. Mari had seen Alkor fight - he was merciless, brutal, dark and oh so very cold. Mari wasn't able to tell what her fighting style was like.

"You know others are after you too, if not me than someone else will, I am not sure how I feel about that. If you wish to continue this; I'll listen to your wish. I'll provide your brother with a part of the bounty so he can defend himself, and live well."

Mari equipped her weapon; a thin, delicate dagger which glowed a soft hue of pink. "I don't exactly take pleasure in this, nor do I really agree to this; if others were to attack, I doubt they'd listen to your requests. Are you still ok with this?"

What was Mari saying? Was she actually asking if it was ok for her to mercilessly slaughter him?  He was going to die either way; be it today - tomorrow or next week. If he didn't have a bounty on his head, Mari would walk away, right then and there and leave well enough alone - but this player, this one player had managed to somehow, for whatever reason cause one of the strongest players in Aincrad to place a bounty on his head.
 

Loot Dice: 10
Perma Dice ID #3608
 

Mari felt like she was on some sort of gathering roll. She had managed to collect a large number of Materials, just on her own; with the input of the other guild members - they should each walk away with at least three or more materials. Mari was still riffling through that same bush, and had managed to retrieve another universal material. She placed it in her inventory. Feeling quite pleased with herself, and her guild. "At least something is going right...." She mumbled quietly to herself.

Loot Roll: 18 SUCCESS

Perma ID Roller ID #3607

Guild Gathering Total:

3 Performer Material
2 Alchemy Material
5 Blacksmithing Material
4 Cooking Material
1 Tailor Material
5 General Material

Mari was on the 4th floor; she was actually on this floor quite often. It was her favourite place to be. The cold, the snow; it was like a winter wonderland.  She drew in a deep breath and gave a long low sigh. She was normally dressed entirely in pink; but today she was wearing the dark cloak that Moartea had given her. The two hadn't been getting along lately; and wearing it made her feel...warmer; not in the sense that it physically made her warmer, but in the sense that it made her feel calmer.

Mari was near one of her favourite lakes, a place she couldn't go to any more. There were other frozen lakes scattered about the place that weren't in safe zones.  There was a bit of a commotion and curiosity got the better of her. Approaching the group she noticed another yellow name. Mari paused in her footsteps.

Tom?
 

Wasn't that the man that had the large bounty on his head? Mari cleared her throat, calling out to him. 

"Why are you marked?"

Actually; once you are a Pker you can be attacked any time. You are no longer safe by the laws of the green title.

Last night I dreamt that I was eating Lamingtons with Kazuya; but he didn't like coconut so he was using a leaf blower to get rid of them.
How can you eat lamingtons AND NOT LIKE COCONUT

Call it a friendly race, dearest Alkor ;)

Mari shrugged, dropping the matter. She wasn't going to force him to talk or say anything. "You just seemed off. There is this weird...." Mari rubbed her fingers together, looking for the right words. "Energy between us right now - it feels strained. I wasn't sure if it was my recent PKer status, or if it was something else." 

Mari returned his smile with a small one of his own. "It's...I don't like that feeling..."  She mumbled, finally sitting down on the stump next to Moartea.

 

Oh my gawsh look at all of you having fun!
You do look young! But hey! That will totally work in your favour when you are older, it works in mine! WOO!
 

Mari wasn't good at small talk, Unlike Celes - but Celes was nice enough - normally Mari would keep quiet about what she was like in reality. Keeping to herself much of the time. Celes had asked her what her favourite food was, "Oh..uh - chicken I guess; with white wine garlic sauce." She mumbled.  They arrived at the hut, it was a quiant little thing; Celes quickly and excitedly explained what they had to do before they entered the hut.

As they entered an old man looked up at them and smiled, he conversed with Mari and Celes; Mari quickly said "Yes, yes, food thanks." And accepted the quest. She really hated interacting with NPCs; it was so awkward, and clunky. How they had so much pre determined speech bothered her. NPCs never bothered her in any other game - but these ones? You almost couldn't tell the difference. Mari voiced her disdain to Celes. "I hate NPCs..."

*sigh*

I told him what would happen if he did this....

I guess I have to accept.
 

A Silence fell between the two, and Mari yawned - stretching with arms high above her head as she arched he back.  He had interrupted her sleeping, but she would probably have to stay awake. Who knows what he'd do whilst she slept. Especially since Mari was a Pker - she didn't have the luxury of a safe sleep, or a very comfortable one for that matter.

"What was I doing?" Mari asked as she covered her mouth, yawning again. "I was minding my own business." She muttered. It was clear that Sasayakaze wasn't going to get very far attempting to delve into her personal life. That was something very few people knew about.  "If you don't know what to say, you don't really need to say anything." Mari paused before suggesting; "You should probably sleep soon. Morning will be here in a few hours, maybe you could dream of that field thing of yours."

Mari gave Moartea a small smile. "Thanks Moartea, I understand that." She crossed her arms over her chest, adding in a slightly playful tone; "Damn right you can't decide things for me Mister!" She gave a forced laugh before sighing. Mari wanted to be happy, and generally Moartea's company gave her that comfort and happiness she needed - but today things felt strained between the two. 

"I think you're better off without that guild, but I guess my opinion is biased." Mari said. She paused, and there was a moments silence between the two before she continued; "Is everything ok with you?"