Mari

((Ok guys its Friday so I am ending it here))

Mari looked up at the sky, the sun was beginning to set. "Alright." She called out, voice booming across the nearby area. "That's a wrap everyone." Her guild members returned to her and gave her what they had all collected. Mari checked it all. Feeling impressed. "That's quite a decent haul we have here today, we will divide it evenly among us; any odd numbers or materials that belong to a profession we do not have - I will place in the guild bank. I may even use them to barter with merchants such as an alchemist to get us crystals."

She gave each of them a small nod and smile. "I'm very happy and proud of you all. I'll be in contact soon, we will be having a guild meeting, until then good luck and take care everyone."
 

Guild Gathering Total:

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

COMPLETE


All Participants :  +133 Col + 1 SP

 

Mari gave Celes a sheepish smile; "I don't really think about such luxuries any more..." She said as she picked up some fruit, chewing a slice of apple thoughtfully before reaching for a cannolli. "I feel like I don't deserve such a meal." Mari muttered, even as she said this she had taken a bite from the sweet cannolli, some of the filling had dripped from her mouth to her chin. Mari finished the entire thing before wiping the drop off her chin and placing her thumb in her mouth.

"mmm That's lovely; but - will the journal stay?" Mari asked; "I mean...I have to wonder - what happens once we defeat the game? Are we able to come back and play any time? Or will it be shut down?" Mari shook her head, it wasn't fair to Celes to fill her head with such worry.

"I slept fine; I am sure Maggie will appreciate the stories."

Mari awoke with a start, she no longer felt Celes' presence next to her. Mari yawned, groggily rubbing her eyes as she sat up. She could smell something sweet. "What ...eh...?" 

Mari blinked, there was what looked like a continental breakfast before her. Was this part of the quest? It didn't seem like it. "Did you do this?" Mari asked curiously as she got out of the bed, taking a seat in front of the large array of food. She turned to the other girl who was smiling, happily writing in what looked like a diary. "Is that like, a daily thing for you?"

"Shut up, stop apologizing."

Mari mumbled, Mari wasn't really good at being 'nice' even though she was attempting to be nice to Celes right now. Celes was deep under the sheets, and she ended up curling herself around Mari again. Mari could tell she was still awake. "This is fine." Mari bit her tongue, her tone had come off as harsh. Mari sighed softly, wrapping an arm around the timid girl. "It's still dark outside. This is fine, if you need. I don't mind."  Mari rested her head ontop of Celes' giving a low sigh before she felt herself unwittingly drift off.

When was the last time Mari was able to sleep soundly?
 

Look at that handsome dapper fellow!

Alkor was a silent man, and he remained as such even after her admission. He quietly equipped his jacket and pulled the hood down, a gesture most wouldn't notice - but somehow Mari found comfort in it. It wasn't an action Alkor seemed comfortable with, nor one he did too often. So Mari appreciated the gesture, she wouldn't say as such but she offered him a small smile, listening to his words. Strong words weighted by careful thought and consideration, spoken with a dark indifferent tone.

"How do you manage to find the words I need to hear?" Mari mused, more so to herself than to Alkor. Her eyes stared at the crackling fire before them as she took in his words. It was something she had willingly accepted. One that she had all too quickly took upon after seeing the bounty.

 "I don't think Tom deserved it." Mari began, her voice pensive. "He had killed to protect lives - what is the difference between that and what I had done to Argumail? I think...." Mari paused, trying to find the correct words - she was no wordsmith and compared to Alkor, she felt like a bumbling idiot. "It bothers me - why did Zelrius place a bounty on his head, but not on mine? Or yours? Will we end up having a bounty on our heads? You accepted the bounty too - what would you have done?" Mari asked. It wouldn't bother her if she had one, rather she had been expecting it for some time, Alkor had killed Uriel, a despicable man. Mari, she had killed 3 people - two of which she felt did not deserve it.

Mari shifted the subject, "Hey - If I'm being dragged to hell, I may as well enjoy the scenery along the way eh?" Mari gave her shoulders a small shrug, "We both have bloodied our hands; if we both end up in hell at least I can safely say I'd enjoy the company."

Her face turned serious when Alkor mentioned that no one could save everyone. "You can't save everyone, but if you save just one person. I feel that makes all the difference. Even if that one person is yourself."

Mari gave Moartea a sad smile as she shook her head, "Not this time Moartea." She said, referring to him wanting to take her in his arm. She wasn't really feeling up to that sort of comfort today; rather - she felt as though she didn't deserve it. Even after the people she talked to, and how they had convinced her she wasn't some sort of killing machine. Mari slowly headed toward the teleportation pad with Moartea.

"I'm just feeling out of sorts lately, so I'm sorry if I don't seem my usual self - whatever that may be."

"I know you didn't mean it like that Zero - but you seemed like you were just going to go off and disappear."  Mari said as she let him go and turned around to face him. He seemed at a loss, was she selfish to just drag him further into the cave? Mari gave a small sigh. "Zero, if you want to go you can." She glanced away. "I probably shouldn't have just dragged you further in here."  
 

 Mari slowly let her gaze travel back to him, "Still, if you're happy to help me, we can go find some; I don't want to go too much longer though. I'm tired - and I want to go back home to my dingy cave on the second floor."  Mari gave a wry grin, making a joke at her accommodation. "Don't get too jealous of my 5 star pad."

You're an odd one Zelrius. I will give you that;

As for the weapon.

A Dagger with 2 Damage and Bleed, thank you Zelrius.

Mari almost stumbled back. These strange beasts had jumped up and out from nowhere, "what the heck are these doing on the first floor!?" She exclaimed as she flipped her dagger around, lowering her body ready to strike, the creatures didn't seem to have any real pattern to their movement - at least not one Mari could pick. They jittered and jumped around.

Mari sprang forward, waiting till she was almost on top of one of the Monts before driving her dagger into it's back, it squealed and wrenched itself free, at this point Mari backed into line - waiting for her turn to strike again. Is this what Zel wanted? Just to fight things across all the floors?

Battle Dice: 5 + 2
Damage: 8

Perma Dice ID #3693

Zelrius 79/79
Rebekah 31/31
Alkor 28/28
Mari 41/41
Life 28/28
Kiru 75/75

Mont 19/30 (Burn finished)
Mont 20/30
Mont 22/30
Mont 30/30 

Celes was first to sleep and last to wake. Mari had woken up some time ago but was unable to move due to the other girl being wrapped around her, her face nuzzled into the crook of Mari's neck. Celes was half asleep, calling Mari by another name - Mari didn't know much of the language but she had an assumption it meant 'my love'  Mari was able to put two and two together - and found that Celes had a lady partner back home. Not that the fact bothered her.

Celes woke with a start,flying off of Mari and the bed - landing on the floor with a harsh 'thud' as she apologized profuseley. Mari groaned as she sat up, peering over the edge of the bed. "Are you a censored idiot or somethin? It's too early for this sh*t. Get back into bed."

Mari turned to the other player who had approached - he was a dead ringer for Tom. Were they brothers? Maybe twin brothers? Tom did mention something about that. Mari pushed herself up onto her feet; approaching Tom. "There is no retribution for what I have done today but here..."

She bought up her HUD screen; selecting the items she had received;
 

GIVE Coat of midnight +2 evasion - Sosuke
GIVE Golems bane +1 Damage  - Sosuke
GIVE Sosuke 2,000 Col

ACCEPT?

The message popped up in front of them both, Mari had also given him a partial amount of the bounty. Enough for him to at least buy a full set of armour and a teleportation crystal, heck even enough for healing crystals or potions.

"These items belonged to your brother; and the currency; that's for you. It's only right."

Celes found sleep easily enough; Mari wished she found it as easily as the other girl did. Whenever Mari closed her eyes she'd see the faces of the people she had killed, she'd hear the anguished screams, and she'd see everything she had torn away from her. Mari was awake, even after Celes had fallen fast asleep, stirred and wrapped an arm and leg around Mari's body.

Mari pried the girl off her body; but Celes, in her sleep, wound up....well wound up wound around Mari. Her leg draped casually over Mari's and her arm loosely over Mari's torso. The pink haired girl gave a sigh. Closing her eyes. Celes' had a very warm presence and it wasn't one Mari exactly minded. Mari just wasn't good with people.

But Celes was asleep; Mari didn't have to worry about what she'd say or do or how she'd react. Because the other girl was unconscious. "You shouldn't be so trusting..." Mari muttered to Celes as she placed a hand on her head and tangled her fingers into the other girls chestnut locks.

Mari soon found herself drifting off to sleep, once asleep her arm fell from Celes' head and casually rested around her shoulder.

 

Mari raised an eyebrow, Celes was so adamant and headstrong. She didn't seem like the type of person to stutter or fumble her words. "Whatever." Mari said bluntly, being a woman of few words and no tact. It was her way of saying she didn't care. Why would she? She got to sleep in a damn bed. Mari went over to the bed and flung up the covers.

"The hell is a point in sleeping in a bed if I don't get to curl up under the covers." 

Mari said as she climbed straight in, shuffling around she gave a happy sigh. She didn't realize how much she missed the feeling of a bed.
 

Mari took the carrots from Celes, the sun was beyond the horizon now, and the low light had made it difficult to see the other girls facial features, she still sounded as chipper as ever; but her voice had a slight edge to it. Was it because it was night time? Mari made sure that she was the second to enter the hut, placing a reassuring hand on Celes' back as she followed her into the cabin. "Maybe." Mari mumbled. "I don't exactly feel I deserve those things, but who knows, that's a very kind offer Celes."

 
Mari ate her meal, it was a warm beef broth with carrot in it; she felt rather satisfied but such a meal also made her feel rather tired Mari yawned as she followed Celes into the room, she seemed to have stopped short; which caused Mari to bump into her back

-Omfph-

"Eh?" Mari peered over Celes' shoulders; standing on her tip toes. She saw a double bed, but there was only the one. So the two were to share a bed? Mari felt more comfortable around women, so didn't exactly have a problem with it. She wasn't sure if Celes felt the same way or not.

"I don't care..." Mari muttered as she pushed past Celes into the room; bringing up her HUD to unequipped her clothes and equip her satin pale pink night gown, it hung loosely off her shoulders with thin spaghetti straps, and fell just above her knees. "But if you have an issue with it I'll sleep on the floor. Hell, a floor is still an upgrade from a cave."

Mari gave an amused snort when his hand whipped up to grab her, holding onto her wrist fast and tight, only to let it go a moment later. "Morning sleepy head." Mari added in a forced playful tone, unsure if he'd pick up on it, he wasn't exactly a people person but that didn't mean he wasn't perceptive. "Know any other pink haired players?"

She shook her head as he said sorry. "Don't apologize, you're only doing what's natural, hell you could roll over and slice me up with that there sword of yours." Mari said as she pointed to the blade still at his side. "I couldn't blame you"

Alkor gestured for her to take a seat and Mari sat as close as she could to him, whilst leaning her back against the cool wall. It was a much wanted pleasantry after trekking all the way out here. "Middle of nowhere on a volcanic floor, if I didn't know better - I'd say you didn't want to be around people." She chided. Alkor turned serious, asking her what he could do for her, even going as far as to call her ma'am. Mari stared at him for a few moments; his hair was a mess, bed head, and his eyes still seemed to be adjusting to being awake. It looked as though he had been using his cloak as a makeshift blanket...or pillow. She wasn't sure. His golden gaze burned into her. Mari shook her head, turning her eyes away from his.

"I killed someone, again - that bounty.....and it scares me because it was ....it was so easy, I feel-" Mari paused, flinching at her own words. "I feel bad - but, I don't...I'm finding that I'm not dwelling on it as much as I have in the past - and - and....that scares me."

Mari didn't dare look up, what would he think of her now? Would he strike her down? Would he tell her that it's ok? Would he be disgusted and tell her to leave?

"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.