Mari

"I think your definition and my definition of 'a while' are a taaad different." Mari chided as she gripped onto the boat to avoid herself spilling over the edge. 

The fish was large, but not exactly monstrous - nothing more than an oversized Swordfish. Mari snorted. Compared to everything she had been through this seemed almost comical, but...Titan was a little wet behind the ears - perhaps literally in this scenario, as well as figuratively. "Yanno..." Mari began as she swept bangs of golden copper behind her ear. "You're in the presence of your powerful guild leader here - make a good impression."  Mari gave Titan a grin as she wedged herself straight back down in the boat, shifting to make herself more comfortable. 

"I might just reward you with somethin' if you do well enough."  

She'd probably give him some Col and Materials, maybe some extra gear. That's probably what Titan was looking for anyway. And Mari would be more than willing to help with stuff like that.

@Titan

Mari grinned at Macradon as he told her he could taste victory. She snorted, then laughed. "Ya sure you aren't just tasting all those peeps ya shoved into your mouth earlier?" She asked. Still...Mari turned her eyes to the giant bunny. This felt much easier than their previous encounter. Maybe they were just that strong. Or maybe, they just all worked together exceptionally well as a team.

Teamwork...

It was nice. Wasn't it?

"No matter what, we keep attacking Sebastian!" Mari called out as she first attacked Sebastian with a twirling motion - attacking Sebastian - she then pulled back to fall in line with Macradon and Calrex. "We're so close. I reckon we totally got this." Sebastians health was well below half, heck - another few good whacks from all three of them and the giant bunny would be dead. Then, they could get out of this hellhole.

...Mari hoped Oikawa was okay.

Eternal Cyclone > Sebastian
18x13=234-75=159
EN + 1
BD:173203  BD: 8 - BURN + BLEED ACTIVATED
MOB:1 -MISS MACRADON

@Macradon  @Calrex
 

[H:0] @Mari - 1410/1410  | EN: 137/138 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 43 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BH: 67 | BRN: 24 | BLD: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15  
[H: 5] Macradon - 1940/1940 | EN: 149/189 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 107 | 4 ACC | EVA: 2 | BHL: 97 | FTH: 36 (21) | FRZ: 6 | REC: 6 | HLY: 12 | PHS: 1 | VMP: 194 
[H: 3] Calrex 1805/1805 | EN: 39/176  EN | DMG: 16 | MIT: 116 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 2 | BHL: 88 | IMMO 30 | ACH: 0.5 

Drop the egg countdown 1/3 
Sebastian:  627/2000 HP | 350 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 75 MIT   Burn -24 2/2 turns  Bleed-24  2/2 Turns    -159 DAM
Ability: D-D-Drop the Egg - Every three turns, Sebastian drops a massive egg onto the battlefield (500 HP | 150 MIT). If not successfully destroyed, the entire party suffers 75/150/250 Unmitigatable damage and become struck by the funk, causing them to lose their next turn to Sebastian’s sick beats.

He was tall, and every time his masked face looked down at her, that even grin across his face - Mari felt like punching it. But that'd be wrong - and despite everything she thought she was better than that. "Wow." Mari seethed, "I didn't think you could really see all too well with that mask." She quipped.  "But at least you've seen that. Yes. You're no longer welcome." 

Mari walked toward the door and opened it. This whole ordeal was just a mess. She didn't think there were people still like him in this world. Most had either died out, or gone into hiding. "Honestly, if you had reigned in your sadism for a hot minute you'd be walking out of here with a sack of Col, and materials. Instead you're leaving with nothing more than a pair of stained pants and an injured ego."

She wasn't sure that Felis had heard her words or not, the door slammed in her face - reverberating off the walls. Mari sighed. 

"That poor kids gonna have a hard time gettin' to talk to anyone if he keeps up like that."

OH well.

It wasn't her problem.

Thread Complete

Each player recieves

2SP and 200 Col

"That's...goood." Mari said as she exhaled. "I've been worried." Mari chewed her lip, hesitant to continue to tell Shield what had happened. "For the longest time..." Mari rubbed her palm with her thumb. Looking down - she didn't want to see the angry judgement in his eyes. "Beat refused to let go of my hand - so...I thought something may have bothered him. But if it's nothing then I'll...yanno..." She shrugged with a forced laugh. "I'll pay it no mind." Mari drew in a long breath to try and calm the tremble in her voice. She reached up at brushed away the wet droplets at the corner of her eyes.

By now the food had arrived; Mari didn't really feel like eating, nor did she feel she deserved it but even so, she reached out and placed a hand on either side of the bowl. Leeching its warmth.

"Part of you didn't want to come back out of there alive..."

Mari visibly tensed, but she didn't say anything - even as he pressed further. His voice quiet. Don't talk to me with that tone, you of all people know I don't deserve it.

"Does that matter?" Mari asked matter-of-factly as she reached out for the wooden chopsticks. With a small snap Mari had broken them in half and dipped them into her broth. Mari swirled it around, watching the noodles slowly begin to follow the swirl. She felt like that, just going along with the current. Mindlessly, unable to really stop. "You don't need to worry." Mari said quietly, closing her eyes.

So many people relied on her, she carried them - all of them. Their problems and doubts, their worries - the trusted her with that weight - so she'd continue to carry it. She'd be selfish not to, to just disappear.

"As you say, my life isn't my own. I have my fellow guild members...my friends..." She stabbed her chopstick into a slice of Chasu. "I can't go anywhere, even if I wanted to - not till everyone else is safely out of here. I'm not going to be so reckless as to throw it away like that right now." And when that happened maybe she'd get her peace then. But no, not yet. No matter how tempting that was.

@Shield

1. Mari

2. Female

3. none -  Mari likes all but would probably mesh well/better with a male partner

4. 

(I need to figure out a way to have Mari do this IC - with permission I'm gonna say @Macradon signed her up because she's being a sad shit)

"Dayumm......" Mari breathed as she pushed her hair up and out of her face. "Did you just like...both take out HALF of its HP? Because...." Mari shook her head.  "Damn....." Mari pulled out her dagger, its blood-red blade glinting as she tilted it to and fro. "I best get goin' myself, else ya'll leave me in the dust."  Of course, Mari felt like she was already falling behind - the two were way, way ahead of her in terms of damage. Her smile faded and turned into a glare at her small weapon. "You're a butt." She muttered at her dagger before activating her charge - and darting toward the large bunny.

Unfortunately... a rock seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, and Mari tripped - landing hard on her face then skidding forward several feet. She groaned, her face in the ground. "MMrrrg....." 

That serves her right...Mari should have known better than to insult her weapon right before an attack..


@Macradon @Calrex
18+5=23 x 13
ID:172538  BD:1 MISS
Mob: Stunned
Charged Eternal Cyclone: - HAHAHA MISSSED

"No, I suppose you don't." Mari said in response to his cavalier answer to him not being a nice person. "You know most people like.,.." Mari gestured at him with her free hand. "Like you are a little more subtle about it. Being straight up rude - and well...childish - that aint' gonna get you anything but an early grave, kid." Why was she even bothering.

Hell, was she...giving him advice on how to behave? Stupid. Mari turned - catching his scowl. He barked at her, told her she was acting 'motherly'. Such a comment would normally have thrown her off, if it weren't for people like Aiko and Chaser. "Mmm... see that..." Mari said as she held his coffee cup out to him. "You're nothing more than a -" She paused as Felis on purposefully  'accidentally' whacked her leg.

So Mari, with her being very tired and having little tolerance for people like this, 'accidentally' tipped the coffee onto his lap. "Oh, clumsy me - guess that's what happens when I'm accidentally whacked with somethin' " She added with a shrug of her shoulders. 

"Now, you can be civil for a few minutes; or - " Mari pointed to the door. "You can leave." 

@Felis

"No Breaks." Mari said simply - taking charge. "We got enough gumption to take care of the last creature- and I doubt it'd be as much of a slog as that...gelatinous devil creature."  She flashed both Macradon and Calrex a smile.

"Cal..." She shifted her gaze to his energy level, then her own. "I know that leaves us in a liiitle bit of a dicey situation but..." Mari pummeled her fist into the flat of her palm. "I believe in us. I think we can do this. All I suggest is we wait for Macradon to go into stealth first."  She scratched the back of her head. "I think I'd have almost restored my energy by the time we get to it anyway.  Let's go."

Mari gestured for the two to follow. "C'mon then - lets get a move on."  
 
As they walked Mari could see it in the distance, a large bunny creature - "OF course..." She muttered. The last boss in the dungeon would be a large, fluffy Easter bunny. At least this one wasn't made out of some sort of edible food. As they neared the bunny, Mari's energy ticked back up - and she exhaled a sigh of relief.

@Calrex @Macradon

Passive: 2/2 OOC posts - energy regen

[H:] Mari - 1410/1410  | EN: 138/138 | DMG: 18 | MIT: 43 | ACC: 6 | EVA: 3 | BH: 67 | BRN: 24 | BLD: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15  
[H: ] Macradon - 1940/1940 | EN: 152/189 | DMG: 25 | MIT: 107 | 4 ACC | EVA: 2 | BHL: 97 | FTH: 36 (21) | FRZ: 6 | REC: 6 | HLY: 12 | PHS: 1 | VMP: 194 
[H:  ] Calrex 1805/1805 | EN: 70/176  EN | DMG: 16 | MIT: 116 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 | BHL: 88 | IMMO 30 | ACH: 0.5 


Sebastian:  2000/2000 HP | 350 DMG | 2 ACC | 2 EVA | 75 MIT 
Ability: D-D-Drop the Egg - Every three turns, Sebastian drops a massive egg onto the battlefield (500 HP | 150 MIT). If not successfully destroyed, the entire party suffers 75/150/250 Unmitigatable damage and become struck by the funk, causing them to lose their next turn to Sebastian’s sick beats.



full quest for my referene:

"Right!" Mari said as her feet shone, activating her charge ability. "Now we do the whole go hard or go home thing, right?"  Powered  by her charge Mari managed to unleash a stronger version of the <<DImnension Stampede>> Against Fenrir - and if he wasn't already paralyzed before - he would be now.

Her Energy was just above the halfway point, but they had fought with little reprieve, and Fenrir was now well below half HP. They'd win this fight, and far sooner than later!

"Not long now." Mari said under her breath. 

Then what? Would they even have time to celebrate before the boss battle? She lowered her spear to the ground with a small 'tink' still breathing heavily. She was tired. So tireed. Mari wasn't sure she'd even survive the boss battle at this rate - constantly pulled ever which way - constantly tearing pieces of herself to give to others but...

That was her role. So, Mari straightened, and rolled her shoulders back so she stood tall - facing the gristly beast, Fenrir. She'd keep fighting till she couldn't anymore.



[x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above
ID:172349  BD:3-1=2+6=HIT
Passive: +1 EN  +83 BH
5+22= 27 x15=405-150=255

[H:4] Beat - HP: 1138/1225 | EN: 87/120   | MIT: 3      | DMG 26  | Absolute ACC: 8 | EVA: 0 | BH: 24 | Conc (0/3) | QChange (0/3)
[H:10] ChaseR - HP: 572/1230 | EN: 87/120 | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | MIT: 43 | BH: 61 | ABS. ACC | V.(DEF): 61 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2 | PARRY [-/2]
[H:3] Freyd - HP:1418/1425 | EN: 125/141 | DMG:26 (+3) | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | KEEN:1 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:7 | BH:64 | TxV:24 | PARRY | Sharpness [2/2]
[H:9] Macradon - 1730/1805 | EN: 159/189 | MIT: 107 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 5 | REC: 6 | HLY: 12 | VMP: 180 | FTR: 36(21) | FRAR: 6[2] | PHS | 90 BH
[H:3] Mari - HP 1535/1610  | EN: 93/158 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 43 | EVA:4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 83 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15  -75 THORNS
[H:11] Shield - HP: 1202/1850 | EN: 148/176 | MIT: 226 | DMG: 2 | EVA: -1 | BH:92 | HB: 48 | THN: 99 | ENV: 18/4 - Parry Active

Fenrir - HP: 1652/4000 | DMG: 750 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 0 | MIT: 150  [BLD 24 -1/2 Turns] [ENV 18 - 4/4] | STUNNED  -255 DAM

Hati and Skoll - Auto-hit for additional 300 DMG [mitigable] each as long as Fenrir hits.  Only present when Fenrir is 1/2 health or above.
Ragnarok - Post action: Heals to full, improves stats: [DMG: 750 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 150]
Weeping Wounds - Every target that attacks Fenrir will suffer 75 Thorns damage

She arrived in the warp gate within the town - Mari didn't want to, but she kinda had to - she was still on the fourth floor after all. Her appearance was immediately met with hostility. Mari had to run through the town, ducking attacks from the town guard - One had hit her; delivering a large blow of unmitigated damage. She grit her teeth. This...wasn't good. Still, she had made it out of the safe zone - heading toward the two green dots on her map that symbolized Freyd and Chaser. 

"Dammit Chaser..." Mari muttered. She was tired. So very tired. But this needed intervention. Mari was very aware of how Chasers anger could overwhelm him. She had barely stepped foot out of the safe zone before she saw it.


Chaser standing over Freyd with an angry orange cursor over his head. Her heart stilled. It wasn't permanent...Freyd was still alive so this wasn't permanent. Good...Good there was still time.  "HEY!" Mari called out, drawing the attention of the two as she stalked toward them with long trudging footsteps.

'SLAP'

Her hand drew across Chasers cheek in a harsh motion, Mari drew her hand close to her, nursing it. "The fuck-Chase."  Mari stood between Chaser and Freyd. "Whatever happened to 'I'd never hurt you Ma'" She changed her tone of voice, as though she were mimicking his. Mari pointed a shaking finger at the cursor above his head. Her anger rolling off her in waves like a rumbling thunder. Voice shaking with hurt, betrayal. The pain surged with every expelled breath. "THIS." She pointed again at the cursor. "That. What were you thinking? How do you think I'd feel if I saw that? That marker above your head hurts more than any of the dumb ass shit that he-" Mari pointed back towards Freyd. "Has done."

Mari closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath - inwardly counting to ten before exhaling. She couldn't let things get out of hand. She had to be the adult, and the reasonable one here. Mari reached out to him, this time, instead of a slap - she rested her hand gently on his cheek.  "I said you could punch him. Not turn yourself into the very thing you hate." Her voice was softer now, but it was clear she was still hurt.

"What on earth are you doing?" She asked him, softer still. Chase didn't need anger, he didn't need whatever she felt in that moment aimed at him. He was hurt, alone, afraid and shaking. Mari placed her hands to his shoulders and forced him to kneel down to the ground with her. "Talk me through what you're feeling."

Mari was aware of Freyd, but she'd deal with him later - right now - she had to talk to Chaser, and show him that he had her attention.

@ChaseR @Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

Town Guard does 350 unmitigated damage to Mari x 2

Mari    [H:0/0/0] - HP 910/1610  | EN: 158/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 83 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 |

Attack after attack was unleashed upon the Beast, and Mari was no exception to this, the moment she was able to she kicked up off the dirt riddled ground and drove her attack in, once again using the <<Dimension Stampede>> Sword Art. Black booted footsteps trudged toward the beast - dodging under a swipe as she jabbed his underbelly one, two, three - then four times - as she circled back around him she gave a final blow to his right side - slamming into it from its flank.

Mari picked up a hunk of her scarf and wiped her brow with it, "PHew..." It wasn't often she was able to land such a critical blow - but hey, she had. Her eyes glanced up to the health bar of Fenrir - close to half its health. That meant it'd do something, right? Those creatures would come back. They'd hurt the people in the party. Blue eyes glanced back at the others.


....

Mari had no time to be sad; they'd all get through this. Then she could go wallow in solitude or something.

[x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above

ID:172344  BD:10 CRITICAL  +BLEED

22+2=24 x15=360 -150=210

Passive: +1 EN, +83 BH  HP from Battle Healing
[H:4] Beat - HP: 1138/1225 | EN: 87/120   | MIT: 3      | DMG 26  | Absolute ACC: 8 | EVA: 0 | BH: 24 | Conc (0/3) | QChange (0/3)
[H:8] ChaseR - HP: 525/1230 | EN: 93/120 | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | MIT: 43 | BH: 61 | ABS. ACC | V.(DEF): 61 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2 | PARRY [-/2]
[H:3] Freyd - HP:1418/1425 | EN: 125/141 | DMG:26 (+3) | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | KEEN:1 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:7 | BH:64 | TxV:24 | PARRY | Sharpness [2/2]
[H:7] Macradon - 1730/1805 | EN: 168/189 | MIT: 107 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 5 | REC: 6 | HLY: 12 | VMP: 180 | FTR: 36(21) | FRAR: 6[2] | PHS | 90 BH
[H:3] Mari - HP 1535/1610  | EN: 109/158 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 43 | EVA:4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 83 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 | -17 EN -75 DAM  
[H:7] Shield - HP: 1791/1850 | EN: 157/176 | MIT: 226 | DMG: 2 | EVA: -1 | BH:92 | HB: 48 | THN: 99 | ENV: 18/4 - Parry Active

Fenrir - HP: 2133/4000 | DMG: 750 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 150  bleed -24  2/2 Turns   -210 DAMAGE

Hati and Skoll - Auto-hit for additional 300 DMG [mitigable] each as long as Fenrir hits.  Only present when Fenrir is 1/2 health or above.
Ragnarok - Post action: Heals to full, improves stats: [DMG: 750 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 150]
Weeping Wounds - Every target that attacks Fenrir will suffer 75 Thorns damage

Mari watched as Chaser was able to heal a little health, and how Shield - and the others rallied - creating more hate so he wouldn't get hit. Still...it was rather worrying to Mari, she chewed her bottom lip, flashing @ChaseR a worried  glance before turning back to Fenrir - the mighty and bristly black furred dog. It's health still a healthy green. "Ugh..." This was the lasts one, right?  Right They just had to hold on a little teeny tiny bit longer.

So Mari darted forward, and activated her <<Dimension Stampede>> Sword Art - pummeling the large canine creature with four fast stabs in its torso - rather than yelp the beast growled - dark flaming eyes glaring at Mari, but Mari just glared right back as she stabbed it one last time before wretching her weapon out of his skin and falling back with the rest of the group. 

"Yanno..." She said as her eyes drifted over all of them. "We actually all work pretty well together!"

Passive: +1 EN | +83 BH

[x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above
ID:171924  BD: 5 + 6=11-3=8 HIT
22 x 13=286-150=136

Mari suffers 75 thorns damage.

[H:2] Beat - HP: 1099/1225 | EN: 109/120   | MIT: 3      | DMG 26(29)  | Absolute ACC: 8 | EVA: 0 | BH: 24 | Conc (0/3) | QChange (0/3) Sharpness [1/3]
[H:6] ChaseR - HP: 388/1230 | EN: 102/120 | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | MIT: 43 | BH: 61 | ABS. ACC | V.(DEF): 61 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2 | PARRY [-/2]
[H:2] Freyd - HP:1339/1425 | EN: 125/141 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | KEEN:1 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:7 | BH:64 | TxV:24 | PARRY
[H:5] Macradon - 1805/1805 | EN: 177/189 | MIT: 107 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 5 | REC: 6 | HLY: 12 | VMP: 180 | FTR: 36(21) | FRAR: 6[2] | PHS | 90 BH
[H:3] Mari - HP 1535/1610  | EN: 125/158 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 43 | EVA:4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 83 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 | -17 EN -75 DAM  
[H:7] Shield - HP: 1850/1850 | EN: 157/176 | MIT: 226 | DMG: 2 | EVA: -1 | BH:92 | HB: 48 | THN: 99 | ENV: 18/4 - Parry Active

Fenrir - HP: 3715/4000 | DMG: 750 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 150 - BLEED -24 1/2 TURNS

Hati and Skoll - Auto-hit for additional 300 DMG [mitigable] each as long as Fenrir hits.  Only present when Fenrir is 1/2 health or above.
Ragnarok - Post action: Heals to full, improves stats: [DMG: 750 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 150]
Weeping Wounds - Every target that attacks Fenrir will suffer 75 Thorns damage.

"One more floor..." 

Mari muttered as she pushed her hair up and out of her face. The long, long LOONNNG trek down from the 24th floor was taking its toll on her; Mari was looking forward to collapsing in the snow - especially after the ungodly heat and dryness of the floor. "This floor is too f**king hot..." She mumbled. Times like this...Mari considered just saying 'f**k it' to those who would be scared of her in the towns, and just use the gates.  Still, despite her recent apathy to it all, Mari couldn't find it in her to do that to someone else.

She had been bending over backwards for everyone. All the time. Piece by piece she had been tearing herself apart to please and placate everyone - and Mari was sick and tired of it. Maybe it was because Freyd had ripped out her gemini-eske thing from her chest - maybe it was the crushing loneliness or the lack of sleep. Whatever it was - Mari just felt utterly exhausted. And wanted nothing more than to hole herself away in her cabin for a few days.

She just had to trek over this last dune then she'd be just another short half hour away from the staircase. But as she neared the apex of the sand she saw a figure. A familiar one. 

"Life...?" Mari drew to a stop, standing by him. "You know, it's not too smart wearing black on this floor." She chided with a half grin.


Seeing him...felt strange - the upset anger she harbored toward him felt like it had been ripped out - it probably had been, literally. What was one more person who needed her? Another piece to give. 

"You...don't look too good."

 

@Life @Alkor

'Bamf'

Her head had collided with the mid of his back, Titan turned, being careful to steady both himself, and her on the rocking boat. A strong hand was placed on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. Keeping her from tipping out into the lake. Then he, he was the one to chastise her. Watch what she was doing. "Bah!" Mari said with another wave as she waved his steady hand off of his shoulder. His lips quirked up into a cheerful smile as a finger pressed itself to the underside of her chin, angling her face up so his gentle sea-blue gaze could travel down her face. "W-Wha..." Mari took a step back. Her leg hit the seat and she immediately sat down. What the heck was that. She thought to herself. cheeks red. Was he staring? Why? To find new ways to tease her. No doubt.

You’re our guild leader? ” 

Mari opened her mouth to express her sheer shock at his statement, but she clamped it shut when he laughed - sitting himself by the fishing rod. His gentle teasing gave her a moment to catch her breath. Mari simply shook her head. "You almost had me there." She joked. "Maybe you should keep those trainin' wheels."

It wasn't her quest; so Mari wasn't given a fishing rod of her own - of course, she had one - but that was for regular fishing, not for giant ass creatures that'd snap her rod in half. "There's nothing wrong with that." Mari said as she dipped her hand into the warm water, swirling it round and round. This was nice, it wasn't stressful, it wasn't fast paced - it was just her and another, in a gently rocking boat. Mari closed he eyes and softly exhaled. "I could almost fall asleep here."

Which really said something, since the poor woman rarely, if ever, felt comfortable enough to sleep.

@Titan

"C-Chase!" Mari called out, alarmed that his health had dropped into the yellow. "You okay kid?" She asked, skidding over to him. "Your health is low...and that looked like it hurt." She sounded concerned. Even with that concern she couldn't help but add in a pun. "That wasn't very paw-some. Was it." 

Mari gave Chaser a reassuring pat on the shoulder. She wasn't sure who had more hate right now - but she hoped that this time, he wouldn't get hit too hard. If he hadn't healed by the next round...

Mari drew in a deep breath. "IF you haven't healed by the next round I'll take care of your health, so please dont worry. Mama Mari has your back."

And with that she turned, and with another dimension stampede - she inflicted Bleed once again on the mighty guardian of hell. "Ha!" She gave a whistle. That was lucky, normally she couldn't activate bleed in battles - let alone twice in a row.

@ChaseR

[x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above
23x 15=345-125=220
ID:171908  BD:9 HIT! Bleed activated!
Passive:   BH: +83  | EN+1

[H:1] Beat - HP: 1099/1225 | EN: 109/120   | MIT: 3      | DMG 26(29)  | Absolute ACC: 8 | EVA: 0 | BH: 24 | Conc (0/3) | QChange (0/3) Sharpness [1/3]
[H:2] ChaseR - HP: 384/1230 | EN: 111/120 | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 8 | MIT: 43 | BH: 61 | ABS. ACC | V.(DEF): 61 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2 | PARRY [-/2]
[H:1] Freyd - HP:1350/1425 | EN: 134/141 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | KEEN:1 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:7 | BH:64 | TxV:24 | PARRY
[H:2] Macradon - 1730/1805 | EN: 189/189 | MIT: 107 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 5 | REC: 6 | HLY: 12 | VMP: 180 | FTR: 36(21) | FRAR: 6[2] | PHS | 90 BH
[H:2] Mari - HP 1608/1610  | EN: 142/158 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 43 | EVA:4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 83 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 | -17 EN   
[H:0] Shield - HP: 1811/1850 | EN: 161/176 | MIT: 226 | DMG: 2 | EVA: -1 | BH:92 | HB: 48 | THN: 99 | ENV: 18/4 - Parry Active

Fenrir - HP: 2279/4000 | DMG: 300 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 125  BLEED -24 2/2 TURNS   -220 HP

Hati and Skoll - Auto-hit for additional 300 DMG [mitigable] each as long as Fenrir hits.  Only present when Fenrir is 1/2 health or above.
Ragnarok - Post action: Heals to full, improves stats: [DMG: 750 | ACC: 4 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 150]
Weeping Wounds - Every target that attacks Fenrir will suffer 75 Thorns damage.

-, though I think you have

Mari knew that. That's why she was working so hard on everything, everyone. "You're not particularly kind though, are you?" Mari muttered as she opened her inventory, scrolling through the drink options. "It'd do you well to show some level of decorum around new people, especially those who could kick your ass just by blowing hot air your way." Mari chided. Even with someone like Felis - she couldn't help but hold that disapproving motherly tone, the kind of one you'd hear when you were caught drinking or smoking underage. Not angry- just tired and disappointed.

Are you Japanese in real life?

Mari shook her head. "No. Australian. But I've lived there for the past two years." Mari left out the part where she had found herself trapped in Aincrad in the airport, on the way to her 'home' she had a feeling he either didn't care, or would try to use it against her in some way. 

Felis struck Mari as the type who liked to control the room, who liked to see others in distress. 

"An internet troll..." Mari mused. That's what Felis reminded her of.

"Ah. Here." Mari pulled out a black pot and headed to the table on the far side of the room. "I have this dark roast coffee, black. I can add milk or sugar for you, if you'd like."

Just keep it civil.

@Felis

"Oh?" Mari asked, it wasn't often people would open up about their past. "You lived in a bar, huh." She didn't question it, for it would have been rude to do so - she didn't comment on  how strange it was. Mari approached the fire, standing by the hearth- blue eyes watching the flames lick at the burning logs. "Can't say I can relate. I had an apartment, about the size of this - its why I prefer it over the estates. Sure, they offer more buffs. But - don't you think it silly to live in such...false lavish luxury?" Mari asked

Then came the jokes, one after another - punctuated with a cruel sharpness. Normally, Mari would appreciate puns. She'd rattle off many of her own, but with each joke it felt like he was striking her chest with hot iron. Mari reached up to clasp her chest. Her jaw tightening. He doesn't mean it. He doesn't mean it, he's just trying to be funny.

Mari kept her gaze on the fire; not wanting to look at him. Even as she heard him get up and felt him approach. "S-So do you want a cup of tea or -"  

Felis' height dwarved Mari's, he practically loomed over her as he stood in close. Scents of cheap cigarette smoke and alcohol wafted from his clothes and caused Mari's gut to wrench, that same scent belonged to her ex. And she hated it. She felt his cold fingers, slightly wet from the snow press into the corners of his lips and force them itno a smile. 

"T-The hell do you think you're doing?" Mari said as she pushed him away. "I'm trying to be nice. I've offered you a warm reprive from outside, a warm drink to fill you - even col and materials, so what the hell is your damn problem?" her voice shook. She had to reign it in. Deep breath. Mari inhaled deeply and held it there. She can't get mad, she promised herself she would push all her feelings down. And exhale.


@Felis

"It's actually quite small." Mari corrected as she followed behind Felis, gently closing the door. "I've seen mansions, estates with multiple yards- and annexs - I don't get it personally." Mari turned to look at Felis, he had taken the sheet off her mirror and was readjusting the mask. That mask it  was so hard to read his facial expressions with it. His grin seemed to be so predatory, almost cruel but Mari wasn't sure if it was just the aesthetic he was going for or not. He definitely seemed eccentric enough for such a thing. 

Mari turned her gaze away from Felis as he asked if she shared it with another. "No..." Came her quiet response. "N-no they didn't...really sell things in single lots." Mari shifted to the mirror, picking up the sheet Felis had dropped on the floor and placing it back over her reflection. Mari hated seeing her appearance. "I'm alone." The words carried more weight than they should have. Despite everything, Mari felt alone. Perhaps now, more so than ever.

It's certainly warm in here! Those sins of yours giving you the chills?"

"That's not funny!"  Mari snapped back. "I just...wanted someplace warm is all." She rubbed her arm. She had to try, right? Maybe that was just his sense of humour. "Sorry, its a touchy subject for me, I get you're tryin' to be funny but I don't like that humour." 

You are certainly friendly for letting a stranger into your home though." 

"It's the least I can do." Mari said as she forced a smile on her face.

Because of those things, she had to try and make amends.

@Felis

"Choosing here is choosing death." I corrected. "I..."  I stopped myself, I hadn't outright told anyone this before, but what did it matter if that veneer slipped. If the Mari so many people relied on was shown to be nothing more than an empty fraud. That's what I was after all.  "I plan to throw the last boss fight - or maybe, just not go there at all - and fall." I closed my eyes, leaning my head against the wall.

"It wouldn't be a bad way to go. the fleeting sensation of falling then..." I rose my hand and splayed out my fingers in a mock explosion. "Poof. Gone. Nothing. Blip. Out of existence. No pain. No suffering. It's no wonder so many choose to go that way here."  My hand fell back into my lap, and silence fell between us. It felt strange to admit that. It felt like saying it out loud was in a way, manifesting it. The notion felt oh so more real now. And I felt like even if I would ever change my mind - that I'd no longer be able to escape such a fate.

"Maybe you need to hear from the outside what can be difficult to see from the inside?"

 I didn't answer him. Not right away. Instead I quietly listened. I could hear him take a loud sip of his coffee, and it made me more aware of the one in my own hands. I reigned myself to take another sip, still not fond of the flavour - but it helped warm my insides. He told me how he had met me at the Tanabata festival. Cordelia...where had she gone lately?

That festival felt so long ago now. I spent it, not entirely alone - but it felt...lonely. Everyone had their wishes, their dreams - and people to spend it with there. Mari was simply...wandering to nowhere - against raving winds and waters - shivering with a coldness that came not from those winds, but within. 

"You talk about me like I'm some kind of good person." Mari said quietly. She couldn't deny that she had done any of those things. "But - I am only doing what anyone else would. My actions aren't some shining beacon to live by. They're just human."

I opened my eyes, pensive - as they drifted over the sheet of stars above us. A part of me wanted to tell him that he shouldn't feel guilty, that I was tearing so much of myself off for others, that it was only a matter of time till I had nothing left to give - but I didn't. 

"I won't ever have that right." I said with a dark sense of finality. "And I've finally learned to be okay with that."

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

"Yeh..it is..." Mari said in a whispered awe as she took the sight of it in. She still struggled to comprehend how she had such a place. Her eyes shifted to the gravestones to the side, just on the other side of the lake, each one with an ever burning lantern, flickering with flames that would never die out. The symbol of the lives she had taken. She wanted to remember them, wanted them remembered.Each and every one of them.

Well they've still gotta live somewhere, where else are you gonna hide the bodies"

them "T-Thats not what they are!" Mari snapped back. Felis simply stared at her, the large grin ever present on his features. "I..they're..." Mari lowered her head, she felt her heart sink, even with this stranger...she couldn't escape the sins of her past.   "You know bodies disappear in this world... I just didn't want their memories to - h-hey..."

He had approached her again, and with a forceful hand on her back he pushed her forward. He unceremoniously pushed her onto the porch and impatiently tapped the door with his cane. "Yes...yes...of course..." Mari said quietly. It was clear she was doing her best to stay positive,  but with everything she had been through Mari struggled. She struggled to maintain a facade - to keep her grip on her emotions. She just had to...keep going....

She opened the door; leading them into the living room. Directly opposite the door is a small table; enough to fit two if they were to squish together. To the right; a roaring fireplace, there is a place to put a pot to cook food, but the hook is currently empty. The floor before the fireplace looked like it had been draped in a few different indescribable animal skins. In front of the fireplace are two chairs facing opposite each other; made from a rich red velvet, adorned in pillows.  There is also a small mirror on the left hand wall, round without trimming.

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 around it four matching cups.

"Make yourself at home."

@Felis

Felis's laugh was short and abrupt, and made Mari jump. Okay, so he wasn't worried - but to laugh like that? Sheesh, what was with this guy? "I guess...that's good?" Mari said, her tone questioning him. She'd met some quirky people in the past but this guy seemed to take the cake. Tophat, coat-tails, and cane. He walked with the enigmatic jovial attitude of one who either had ulterior motives, or was just stark raving mad. Mari assumed he was just insane.

"W-We?" Crap....did he think she was inviting him somewhere?? "No! I mean...." She sighed, tugging on her hair. Too tired, and too nervous to care about inviting him over. "I..." Another sigh, defeated as her shoulders sagged. "Yeh...I mean - my house is close by if you need a waypoint before heading off again. I can't offer you potions, but I may have some spare materials and col if you need it."

They headed toward the path, but rather than follow it, Mari began to push past the thicket of trees, weaving in and out of them- and if Felis wasn't following closely he may just have lost her, but out on the other side; was her home.

"You know, I'm surprised they let PKers have homes." Mari said as she gestured to the small cottage. "Still, home sweet home."

@Felis

It mustn't be that clear, because whatever unwelcoming presence his bony-ass clawlike hands had didn't seem to phase Mari. She was oblivious to it, perhaps it was because she had no real will to live, or perhaps it was because she was so tired she could barely string together a sentence - more so - it was probably her strength. 

"Mari." Mari offered as she extended her own hand, neatly manicured fingernails wrapped around his hand as his clasped over hers and squeezed tightly. "J-just Mari." Mari said again as she went to pull away from him. 

"Well Felis." She began. "I'd say it's your lucky day, but I'm probably the laziest alchemist you'll ever meet- so I'm fresh out of stock. But if you are in dire need I can try to help." Normally, Mari wouldn't help. She'd point him in the direction of the town and be on her way. But she was a guild leader now. She had duties and responsibilities. 

"C'mon." Mari gestured for him to follow. "I can't lead you to the town, but where I am going is on the way...but..." She glanced over her shoulder at him. "You're not the least bit worried a bout my cursor colour, are you?"

@Felis

"You know, I'd rather you not sneak me into anywhere." Mari said matter-of-factly as she took the bag of Col from him, thankful that he didn't just run off with it. "But I have a home outside snowfrost on the fourth floor. It's not very big, but it's...cozy. I have a bed there if you ever need a night away from everything, and a seat by a roaring fire. I'll even have some hot drinks handy." Ever since her run in with Seul, and Aiko Mari was sure to keep more than just hot tea on hand.

Chaser wrapped her up in another hug goodbye as he thanked her again. "R-Really, its nothing." Mari said with a few small pats on his back. "I'm a little...uh..shocked I've helped you so much but..." Mari drew away and offered him a smile in return. "But - in someway, you really helped me too." And he had - if Mari hadn't run into him she probably would have just outright wandered down to her meeting with Zandra - and with her mindset the way it had been lately...

There was a very real chance Zandra may have retaliated in a less than positive way.

"We can keep in touch." Mari assured him as she accepted his friend request.

That...might be nice.


 

COMPLETION REWARDS:
ALL PLAYERS GET:
3SP (2 Quest +1 for 10 Skins)  +1 EVENT + 4 PAGE = 8 TOTAL SP
6000 COL QUEST + 800 COL PAGES = 6800 COL TOTAL

Mari snorted, amused. The survival instincts of a rock? That was a new one. "Well I-ow!" Mari bought her hand up to her forehead, brows furrowed in a small scowl. "I do have the survival skill, so It's not like I'm going to get any damage from..." Mari shook her head, giving the stranger a dismissive wave. "What am I doing explaining' it to you, I'm sure you know all about that." She was sure he didn't. But something about that grin was predatory, and he was tall, a little too tall for her liking. So yeh, Mari took out her tired frustration on him.

Mari turned her head to the side, the direction she was heading, her home was just beyond the treeline, nestled away from onlookers. Despite that...she was tempted to offer him a hot drink, away from the cold, unlike her though - he wore a thick coat. Shield always called her a witch for standing around in the cold dressed like she did.

"You...didn't come from there?" Mari asked, concern in her voice. "It's that way." Mari pointed near the direction of her home, but to the left slightly - where a path was barely visible. "If you follow that path down you'll hit a small village, think its called Snowfrost. What resources do ya need?" Mari tilted her head. "I may be inclined to help if I had a name to that necromancer-wanna-be face of yours."

@Felis

"One final skin, let's go!"

Mari nodded. They had done quite a lot, hadn't they. Mari never really expected to do this - go through an entire cave system with a youth who somehow psuedo-adopted her as his mother (was that a thing? She supposed it was now) "I have a feelin' we'll get it now." Mari tapped her temple. "Mothers intuition."

And with that she turned to the Drakelings, spurred on with the thought that this would be the last lot, the last time she had been blown up in the face. With a quick and precise sweeping motion of her two handed spear, coupled with the <<Weeping Moon>>Sword Art Mari made short work of them, two skins dropped and Mari picked  both up with a triumphant look on her face. "Told ya." Mari said as she threw them to Chaser.

"Try not to judge her too harshly, she may have her own reasons. Give her a chance to broach the subject and come clean herself. If she doesn't then ask her."  She turned to him as they started to backtrack out of the cave system, luckily - they weren't respawning. "I don't lie, I don't like it, I may I suppose...Lie by omission of truth sometimes though..." Mari said with a cough. "But - flat out lying, no - I don't have time to  keep up with all that."

@ChaseR

Weeping Moon (9 Energy +2 per target hit) - Do a single and powerful 360-degree spin  x9
19 x 9 =171 - 15=156
ID:171755 > Drakeling 25  BD:10 HIT  CD:10  SKIN GET
ID: 171756 > Drakeling 24 BD: 2+6=8-1=HIT  CD:11 SKIN GET

[0,2] ChaseR: HP: 970/1070 | EN: 36/104 (+1, -13) | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
[0,3] Mari: HP: 1510/1610 | EN: 91/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

Drakeling 23: HP: 149/350 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [1/4]
Drakeling 24: HP: 113/350 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [-/4] | BLEED [24] (1/2)
Total Skins 12