Mari

“What?” She was confused. Hadn’t it only been a day? “Of course I’m alive I-” Her eyes widened, oh. She forgot to message him back. He must have come looking. “Oh…oh Freyd…I’m sorry I didn’t message you back yesterday!” She began, to explain. “I got so distracted.” She carefully pushed herself to her feet, albeit she was a little wobbly. It was clear he was still concerned for her. Mari offered him a sheepish grin. Reaching out to run a reassuring hand up and down his upper arm. “Really, I’m okay.” She paused. “I mean…This floor is messing with my head a little - but - it does that

Mari blinked. That voice. She recognized that voice. Mari went to address him but paused, distracted by a strange giggle- “w-What the?” Mari went to glance under the table but the sudden shift of blade closer to her heart made Mari still. Her eyes shifted back up to the man she thought was Freyd. “- That should answer your question, Mari-I'm-Mari." It was Freyd. Relief flooded her system. “Freyd…” She breathed, but…then why was he looking at her like that. Steeled eyes staring accusatorial down at her. “W-what did I…” There was a pang of pain in her chest. She thought they were frien

FLOOR 24 It was nice…having finally been able to talk to Baldur and Macradon again…even running into Freyd on the 29th floor - and realizing that you can get drunk. Very drunk in Aincrad. God…where was that ability years ago? Ever since Mari’s return - things had been going…smoothly. Almost too smoothly, Mari kept expecting something to go awry. Someone to decry her - attack her. Or for her to slip up into old habits and push everyone away. But thus far…nothing of the sort had happened. Mari felt calm. Albeit a little lonely..but calm - and satisfied with where she was currently. That kin

Mari groaned, her head hurt. Her joints hurt. Her arm especially hurt. Fucking doctor…where was she? It took a moment for her eyes to focus - wherever she was, it was much darker than the practically blinding room she had been in. There was that familiar buzz hitting the back of her head. Ah She was on the 10th floor again. Why? A familiar scent hit her nose - the fresh smell of sulfur. It smelt like that very chemical that the doctor had doused her with. Why was it so strong now? Did he douse her again so she’d be safe? Odd. Mari still couldn’t get a read on him. He had taken her

"You don't smell that bad. But you could definitely use one. We both could." Mari glanced around, a small frown came upon her lips. "Raidou said he messaged Baldur too..." Her words were filled with concern. They were on his estate after all. If he was away from here...was he pushing himself somewhere? Fighting? Baldur...was someone Mari had really, truly wanted to message. She wanted him of all people to know what was happening, he was a fellow Pillar in Jacobs ladder - and Mari knew all too well the crushing pain one felt when a group - a guild - forms and then you're left as the lone

Mari shifted herself to a seated position, sitting cross legged on the floor. Her arms folded over her chest. She felt sick. The man undoubtedly deserved to die, but who was she to have made that call? And there was a stark difference between death - and torture. The method did not sit right with the woman. Still. She kept silent. He clapped for her, and Mari felt equal parts pride - and disgust. She wasn’t sure why a part of her craved the accolades of a madman, but it had - the disgust…because she seemingly played into the exact thing he so desired. Mari watched as he shifted; mov

The man gestured for her to take a look around and at that Mari took a step back. Fully taking in the scene around her. Blue eyes widened in a brilliant curiosity. “H-How…” She breathed. Mari had felt proud at her makeshift centrifuge back on the 10th floor… but this… This… “Amazing…” Completely crushed it into fine dust. The walls were filled with racks, filled with vials. Puffs of steam hissed every which way - tiny gears, shifts, cranks churned. Something like this…is what Aincrad so sorely missed, and so sorely was needed but - but… Her eyes shifted back to the Plague D

“Listen…” Mari began. “I…this has been…” She paused trying to find the right word. Fun? It had been, but not so much the jovial haha way, the intriguing way.. “An experience but I need to leave this floor before-” Leave? Are you insane? Isn’t this what you wanted? An opportunity to do things? Don’t you miss this? Mari drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She did…She missed researching. Learning. Adapting. But not like this. Not at the cost of her sanity. First she’d need to go back to her home - then, let Freyd know she was okay. Then sleep. What if you never see

Mari didn’t expect an answer, not outright at least. The man whom she thought was mute was simply was one of few words. Rather, the only word she had ever heard him say was Atan - one she had no idea the meaning behind. One of Mari’s professors in college had been Russian, one of her colleges, a real Casanova that one - but beyond that - she had never really studied the language. Never had a need to. Still. He answered her - and in a way she could tell his intention. Mari took another step closer to him, one that echoed in the cavern around them - it being the loudest sound shared betwee

Clap Clap Clap The muted sattico sound of accolades snapped Mari out of her rambling stupor. He was…clapping? Mari stared at him - brows furrowed in confusion. Why was he clapping? Still.. The action caused a sense of pride well within Mari’s chest. At least someone understood. There was a certain…je ne sais quoi when it came to discovering things - learning things. And there were few here who really understood. Instead of thanking him, Mari gave the plague doctor a curious nod of acknowledgement. He wasn’t being volatile… he hadn’t shown her any cause for alarm excep

Between the second and third day…. Mari had not slept. She was tired - near the point of exhaustion, and it was evident on her facial features. Dark circles lined erratic eyes as they kept glancing to and fro. Every now and again her head would lull forward and her eyes would close just that little bit slower - and if Mari hadn’t been using her polearm as a makeshift cane - she would have most definitely fallen over. Every now and again Mari would mutter something to herself, then get annoyed- and retaliate with a fuck you or a shut up. It was clear she had seen bett

Mari expected more questions, why she chose to admit herself - what Raidou had to do with it all. What the prison was like. But none came. Instead, the two sat by the lakeside - close enough that their arms almost touched. “I think….” Mari said quietly - her eyes watching as a bird dipped down into the water to catch a fish then fly back up to its nest. “What’s worse than the guilt - is…hmm…how do I word this…” She tilted her head - it was something she had talked to Beat about before, how he had never felt bad for his actions - because those people deserved it. Mari saw many similarities bet

Mari gives the following to Freyd Bunny Stamp - Increase the Rarity of a single item by one stage, up to Demonic, selecting a normal Enhancement in the process (Limit 1) 3 x Reroll Ticket - Reidentify a single slot on a single piece of gear at a merchant.

“You remember,” Mari nodded, swirling the amber liquid in her glass. Thinking it were like liquid gold. It kinda reminder her of Oikawa’s eyes. “Of course. The moment someone shares a name like that…its important. Personal. I’d try my best…to never forget a moment like that.” Mari paused to take two large gulps. She could definitely feel the buzz now. Her eyes felt heavy. “Memories…are so precious…even the painful ones.” Mari paid Freyd little attention as he shifted - that is - until he reached his hand out to her. “Huh?” Oh. He was going to take her to his home - Mari must h

Dawn of the third day…. Mari hadn’t slept. She was exhausted- but she wanted to come here a day early. She didn’t need the extra time. What she did need was to come early. Scout the area. Ensure there were no traps. With her spear out, dragging across the ground behind her Mari surveyed the area. Every so often poking a rock- an extra loamy patch of dirt. But nothing. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Right… Okay… Now, the cavern itself. Mari stepped into the cavern, cautious eyes scanning the area. Still nothing. The water - deadly quiet. Mushrooms, moss..nothing out of the ordin

Mari’s trek to the Stygian river was short - she knew where she was going, she knew the places to tread to avoid confrontation. This entire floor - before she bought a house, was her home, her playground. So now she stood at the riverside. Where just days before she had met the enigmatic man. Her hand outstretched, ready to just drop the vial in and be done with it. Her heart was beating hard and fast against her chest. But isn’t that a waste? Mari hesitated. It…would be a waste… think of the things she could do. What if you were able to apply it to mobs? Create a potent poison

Why? Why this? Why make it so obvious? Mari mentally kicked herself for being so blind. The man had given her the answer on a silver platter. But she is just too stubborn - too close minded to see it. She held the tiny square vial tightly in her hand. As though it was the most important thing in the world to her - every so often Mari would pause in her trek to glance down at the vial. Raising it to her eye, she’d tilt it to and fro. Entranced. Just…why? Of all the things in the world - why choose something so dangerous? Was it…because he truly wanted to use something like this? Or wa

“Just gotta get rid of it easy right?” Mari muttered to herself - she could feel herself struggling. The effects of the floor were more prominent than she remembered. A part of Mari felt it would be best if she had left for a day - and come back later - to save herself the mental anguish. Lest she lose herself on this floor. But she only had the one teleport crystal… and walking around from floor to floor was a pain. And there was something about that doctor…now Mari knew what was in the palm of her hand - she just had to know….why She had to send one final message; To: Freyd F

“Told you?” Mari asked. “Oscar…We don’t know each other that well.” And it was true, their run-ins with each other were few and far between. “I know Cordellia, I see her as like…a little sister- but you - I hadn’t even told Macradon where I was.” A small snort as she shook her head. “Ya can’t message people when you’re in there but-” Her words weren't meant to hurt him, she just wanted to make it clear that no one...no one had known where she was bar one. It was lonely...she was lonely This conversation…it didn’t quite suit them just standing there - by the monument. “Here.” Mari said wit

Mari paced back and forth in her small tent. It was so obvious now. She didnt need the fucking centrifuge. She didn’t need the makeshift magnifying glass. She just needed to use her brain. Heck the man colour coded the fucking thing. A lilac colour? Almost pink in its hue? It was so damn obvious. Mari just never came to that conclusion because why would she??? Why would anyone make something like this?? Was it a joke? “No that doesn’t make sense…it could be that, or it could be the Mahburg virus…either way its the Filoviridae family- those fucking… strings just…what would have happen

The handsome man seemed almost amused at her ignorance - but his amber gaze shifted up to her crystal and there was concern etched on his features. Almost as soon as Mari had sent off her message - the man held a finger up to her. Wait… It could have been a coincidence - an unlikely one - but a coincidence all the same. It wasn’t until he replied to her that Mari realized that this was Oscar. THIS WAS OSCAR? She reeled, taking a step back. How embarrassing. She had just been meaning to reach out to him and he had been standing here this whole time. “I…uh…” She felt her cheeks heat -

Mari lifted her head and gratefully accepted one of the frosted tumbler glasses. “Whiskey…” Mari breathed. “Is much more preferable than that fruity mess.” She added with a thankful tone. The woman all too readily accepted his offer. Unlike Freyd though, Mari didn’t have the same desire to cherish the taste, nor the scent. She emptied her glass in its entirety. The burning sensation that tickled her throat, that heavy warmth in the pit of her stomach. The buzz that made her head that little bit heavier. So you can get drunk here now Mari thought to herself. She had planned to test it - b

Mari caught the worried look Macradon flashed her. To his credit, he managed to keep still throughout everything - the man struggled to do so, even at the best of times. Always fiddling with things, always distracted - it reminded her of a golden retriever. His exuberant energy is what made him so endearing. It grounded Mari. helped her to not take things so seriously all the time. “A better me, huh?” Mari asked - repeating his words as she shifted her gaze to the sky. Stars danced above them, twinkling to and fro. “I’m not entirely sure about that - but…I’m a me I’m okay with. And that’s

It was the most…jankiest setup imaginable. Mari had layered the 4 lenses over each other - separated with a small rolled up bit of paper to give around half an inch between each piece of glass. She had taped the frames back together - and was wearing them. She must have looked quite the sight - like some sort of cartoon madman. “No its fine…” Mari mumbled to herself as she began to wind the string around the lazy susan. “No one will see me like this so its fine.” Round and round the twine went. Then - with a quick series of pulls she had started up her makeshift centrifuge again. “Fr

The night was restless, nightmares ebbed in her consciousness - the weight of the floors effects becoming harder to deal with. Mari groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. Voices teetered at the recesses of her mind - but she had a job to do. Mari full well knew the effects of the oppressive malaise of the floor - and she knew her limits. 3 to 4 days. She would be fine for that length of time. She had to be. She had to be. Tired eyes glanced over at the table, then lit up with new found resolve as they landed on that strange vial. So many secrets, so many temptations. Mari licked her li