Mari

"Who bloody wears orange in the middle of a blizzard?"

Mari looked up to see a cloaked figure stalking toward her. She couldn't tell if he was happy, or angry to be on the floor. "I dunno." Mari said in response as she straightened, nearing him - they were walking toward each other after all. "Can't be as mad as someone who wears the skull of a dead cat on his...err..." She paused. Was it a he? Best not assume. "On their face." Mari said with a final nod, gesturing to the skull that covered his eyes. All she could see of his face was the pale skin and lips down turned into a thin line. Mari went as far as to flick the stranger in the forehead.

"I don't know where you're goin' but the only thing back that way is the staircase to the fifth floor, and I can't fathom why someone like you would want to take the longer route."

It was the hardest thing about being a PKer- Mari couldn't just use the warp gates around town, her presence in them would alert guards. And upset the villagers. Although she found herself caring less and less about that second fact.

@Felis

This time, Mari attacked first - there was only one drakeling left, and she'd rather not be blown with blasts of fire in her face whilst she was trying to have a conversation. It was a good thing that the Dragon Hunter Anthology questline helped numb her to the death of countless baby dragons - though these weren't as cute. 

With a quick slash using the Weeping Moon skill, Mari had made short work of the Drakeling- although she didn't see the last skin they needed.

"Up to something...." Mari mused. "Mmmm...honestly, I don't know her well enough to say. She seems rather skittish around me, maybe....I guess afraid..." Mari rubbed the back of her head. "As I said Chase, my past isn't exactly good. I wasn't a good person." She held up her hand so he wouldn't interject. "Zandra remembers how I was back then - so that's why she's wary around me. But she's not a bad person, least I don't think so. But I can't fathom why she would extend that to you. I've only just met you, so it ain't got shit to do with me."

@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: 171750: Weeping Moon > Drakeling 22:  BD:10 HIT   CD:4 No skin
ID:171751 Skinning Drakeling 21 - CD: 6 NO SKIN

[3] ChaseR: HP: 1070/1070 | EN: 48/104 (+1, -13) | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
[0] Mari: HP: 1610/1610 | EN: 91/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

Drakeling 21: HP: 0/350 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [-/4]
Drakeling 22: HP: 0/350 (-213 -24) | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [0/4] | BLEED (24) [1/2]

"Ahh yeh...she's been wearing that lately...I suppose you hadn't seen her in her berserker armour." Mari commented when Chaser explained his version of Zandra. "She's lying to you." Mari said simply to Chaser. 

"I have no idea why she would say she's a lower level than she is though..." Mari said thoughtfully. "I honestly don't know her well enough to understand her reasoning but-" Mari turned to Chaser. She did know that Zandra had attacked Macradon, who was not only her best friend, but one of the most powerful players within Aincrad. "I don't want to speak ill of people but -stay safe around her. Especially if she has reason to deceive you with what level she is."  Mari would have kept silent about Zandra, not said a word to Chaser about being wary - because Mari honestly thought Zandra was also working to better herself. 

But, hearing her lie to him.

Mari would be amiss if she didn't say anything. 

"I am very sure it is the same person." 

And with that - Mari turned to the Drakelings, quickly activating her <<Weeping Moon>> Sword art. She managed to bring the first to half health, but the second she straight up missed.  "Mmm. I really need to work on getting Absolute Accuracy." She said with a 'tch'


Skinning Drakeling 23: ID:171745  CD: 12

Weeping Moon (9 Energy +2 per target hit) - Do a single and powerful 360-degree spin  x9
19 x 9 =171 - 15=156
ID: 171743 BD: 2+6=8-1=HIT
ID: 171744 BD: 1 = MISS

Passive: +1 EN
[0,0] ChaseR: HP: 1070/1070 | EN: 79/104 (+1, -13) | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
[1,0] Mari: HP: 1610/1610 | EN: 99/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

Drakeling 21: HP: 194/350 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [-/4] | BLEED (24) [1/2]
Drakeling 22: HP: 350/350  | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [1/4] -156

Total Skins: 9

Finally

Back on the fourth floor. How were there so many interruptions? After almost a month of solitude - it felt like the past few days left Mari without reprieve. Dealing with Freyd, then Chaser - and completing that quest with Zandra… just to name a few. Now she was finally back down on the fourth floor. 

It was exhausting. Mari was...tired.

She trudged through the snow with heavy, booted footsteps. Each one felt heavier than the last, weighed down with fatigue and exhaustion. Still. Mari would not - could not stop. She had to keep going. She had to keep fighting, even if it meant she had to keep stripping pieces of herself away to do it. Mari rubbed her freckled arms. The cold bit at her skin, causing goosebumps to rise but she welcomed it, she welcomed the familiar feeling of the icy winds that colored her nose and cheeks a rose pink.

To her, this frozen solitude was more of a home than anything else on Aincrad. 

@Felis

"Helping her?" Mari snorted. "Chaser - she's - I'm pretty sure she's hit the level cap." Mari hadn't heard of Zandra from another perspective before. She was right not to have thrown in a callous remark about how the other woman thought she was a bloodthirsty murderer, and believed rumours. Mostly...because Mari also knew Zandra was trying very hard to move past that - she had been the one to reach out to Mari in the first place after all.

"I'd call her more of a ...beserker than a healer - but yeh." Mari shrugged. "She's also got a decent healing set - with barriers and potions and the like. I'm pretty sure she'll be playing that role during the upcoming floor boss fight." 

Mari tilted her head to the side. Did Chaser think she was lower leveled? Or had she lied to him. "What makes you think she was only in her forties? We talkin' about the same person right? Petite lil' girl with hulking ass armour?"

Mari paused in her talk to activate her sword art - 'Weeping Moon' and with another quick slash - the Drakelings fell. Mari picked up one of the skins, and threw them to Chaser.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but It ain't like I cooked it or anything." Mari said with a small smile. He seemed so endearing in times like this.

@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:171738  BD: 6+6-1=HIT  CD: 3 - NO SKIN
ID:  171739 BD: 2 + 6-1=HIT  

[3,2] ChaseR: HP: 1070/1070 | EN: 79/104 (+1, -13) | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
[0,0] Mari: HP: 1610/1610 | EN: 108/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

Drakeling 19: HP: 0/350 (-213 -24) | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [-/4] | BLEED (24) [1/2]
Drakeling 20: HP: 194/350 (-201) | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [1/4] -156

Total Skins: 9

"You really should eat more! I know its not a need but you should be eating three meals a day! Even snacking when you can." Mari chastised. "If for nothing more than to ground yourself in a sense of reality - the closer we can imitate the world out there - the less...we'll loose ourselves in here."

Hypocritical. That was her. A big ol' hypocrite, but still, she couldn't help but try to - well, for a lack of better words - mother the youth. 

Chaser managed to strike down the two Drakelings - freezing one with his weapon. Mari pursed her lips as she glanced at her own. She really needed to improve it, as much as she appreciated the gift from Shield, it wasn't what she wanted. It was just something to use in the interim. Still. It did its job. Mari flicked it back and attacked the Drakelings with another large arc- decimating the last of their health.

"I'm collecting these totems from the Scents of the Wild quest." Mari said to him. "I'm not going to be alone - I'll be with someone named Zandra."

@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:171732  BD: 2 + 6=8-1= HIT  Drakeling 17   CD: 3 NO SKIN
ID:171733 BD: 9+6-1=HIT  Drakeling 18  CD:2 NO SKIN
Passive: En +1

3,2] ChaseR: HP: 1070/1070 | EN: 79/104 (+1, -13) | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
[0,0] Mari: HP: 1610/1610 | EN: 118/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

Drakeling 17: HP: 0/350 (-213 -24) | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [-/4] | BLEED (24) [1/2]
Drakeling 18: HP: 0/350 (-201) | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [1/4]

Total Skins: 9

"There's no rest for the wicked." Mari said to him, followed by a cheesy, and ill-timed wink. Lest he think she was putting too much hate on herself with the comment. "I got another quest after this - I am meant to be meeting with someone tomorrow." Mari clarified as she took the water from him and placed the rest of it back in her inventory.

Mari was close on his tail, as Chaser ducked back Mari's weapon shone with a brilliant light - and in a sweeping arc she tore through the remaining health the drakelings had. Mari found one Skin, which bought their total to 15.

"You know - it was a little rocky at the start - but we have a really useful battle flow now." Mari commented. It seemed that he and her were able to seamlessly work together now. The blasting fires of the enemy barely scathed them. She turned to the blue haired youth and gave him a pat on the small of his back. "See what a good meal, and a good cry can accomplish?"

@ChaseR

Weeping Moon (9 Energy +2 per target hit) - Do a single and powerful 360-degree spin  x9
19 x 9 =171 - 15=156

Passive: En +1
ID:171706 > Drakeling 15  BD: 2 +6=8-1=HIT  CD: 12 SKIN
ID: 17107 > Drakeling 16  BD: 9   CD: 6 NO SKIN
[3,2] ChaseR: HP: 1070/1070 | EN: 91/104 (-13) | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
[0,0] Mari: HP: 1610/1610 | EN: 128/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

Drakeling 15: HP: 0/350 (-225 -24) | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [-/4] | BLEED (24) [1/2]
Drakeling 16: HP: 0/350 (-201) | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [1/4]

Total Skins: 9

Chaser continued to cry against her - but Mari had no more words to offer him. Sometimes, they weren't needed. So she gently rubbed his back in a slow rhythm in an attempt to ease him and ground him in whatever twisted sense of reality this was. Her eyes shifted to the far wall. This is what Aincrad did to people. It tore them apart, chewed them - shattered them. How many people were walking around this world who were in the same predicament as Chaser?

How many people felt so lost, alone, and cold?

Mari shut her eyes. Too many. The answer was too many. Mari could easily, so very easily count herself among those people. But she didn't have the opportunity, nor the luxury to be able to focus on herself. She didn't matter. Nothing she felt mattered. What did matter? Everyone else. "You're welcome." Mari said quietly, brushing strands of his hair away from his face.

Mari opened up her inventory; and pulled out a canister of water. She passed it to him. "I know we don't really experience dehydration here but I thin this would be good for you. I always feel good chugging a big class of water after a solid cry".  Mari pressed the cool container into his hands. When you're ready we'll tackle those last few drakelings."


At least he seemed better now.


@ChaseR

Chaser slammed his fist had against the ground. Screaming his distaste - quivering voice shouting out into a world that wouldn't listen to him. "It's-" Mari first wanted to tell him that it was okay, but it wasn't. What Freyd had done wasn't okay. But Freyd knew that. Mari knew. And now so did Chaser. Maybe it was a mistake to tell him what happened. No matter how Mari had painted it, Freyd would come off in a negative light. 

"Sometimes, we hurt those we care about - and that's okay." Mari tried to place her hand over his fist. "What matters is how we-g-gah.." Chaser wrapped trembling hands around her shoulders as he pressed his head fast toward her - tears staining Mari's clothes with a despaired wetness. He apologized for being weak. Mari shook her head as she placed a reassuring hand on his back. "It takes a special kind of strength to let your emotions out."

Not only that, but it took...so much more - to have people you trusted. People you could rely on. As Chaser sobbed against her Mari felt a turmoil of emotion. She felt worried for him. Because it was clear he had been trying so hard for so long to have a facade of strength. Yet - she also felt a pang of guilt - because she was envious of that. Being able to let go like that... Mari would never get that chance, would she? No. That wasn't her place within this world.

She'd be the anchor to their suffering. So they had something to ground themselves to.

"I'm honored, really." Mari said quietly as she began to rub his back. And in a sense, it was the truth. "You've chosen me of all people to expose yourself at your most vulnerable." Mari paused. "Vulnerable, not weak. You're not weak for this Chaser. Just let out as much as you need. I'm here."

"I'm here.""

@ChaseR

'You're excused-'

He had said, and Mari simply huffed at him in return with puffed cheeks. There was no use arguing with someone like that. Then he splashed her with the lake water, leaving Mari's face soaked. "G-Gah..." She wiped the water from her face, slicking wet hair out of her eyes. Shimmering blue eyes glared at the blonde from beneath wet lashes, her cheeks red with a flustered frustration.

"If you're such a good swimmer why don't you go for one?" Mari had intended to push him into the water, well not entirely, just enough to dunk his head under. But he had straightened himself before she could - so instead of her hand thwacking the back of her head it collided with his back, just between his shoulder blades.  "Tch...Lucky..." 

Titan shifted the topic back to her initial question. "I was just checking." Mari offered  as she picked up her scaf and used it to rub the remaining water off of her face. "What kinda guild leader would I be if I didn't help you." She said as she dropped the scarf. "I won't miss it in the slightest." She added with a wry grin. "Big boy Titan can't be mothered forever."

@Titan

"Chase...." Mari said. And her calling was soft, exasperated - perhaps a little flustered, but it held a bubbling care that was not uncommon with mothers. Maybe Mari just couldn't help herself. She saw someone in need - and wanted to be the person to help them. Even if that would be a detriment to her, but him so innocently calling her that? It wasn't bad. "I don't mind, I just..." Her thoughts drifted to Aiko, a much, much younger kid - Mari had to assume he was no older than 8 or 9. How he had come into her life like a messy, energetic whirlwind. He spoke about how much he missed his own mother. 

"I don't want you to forget your real family."

Because he had that, so did Aiko, and Baldur - and everyone around her. Mari reached out to Chaser, placing a hand atop his head as he sniffled, then changed topics. "Kill Kayaba, huh?" Mari repeated as her own gaze shifted to the ceiling. "A part of me wants to too - a part of me feels that because of him, I no longer have a daughter."

Mari stopped. No. It wasn't because of him. It was because of her.

"But...that's shifting the blame, and the death of another is just a viscous cycle I don't want to repeat. Another person dying no matter how cruel they are ...adds little to the world."
 Mari's hand moved from atop his head to atop his shaking fist. "I don't really trust him either but - we all make mistakes, and we all need to learn from them. I think he's slowly beginning to realize he isn't infallible either.  You've given me a chance, despite the crystal floating above my head -so why can't he have that same one?  Or are you angry because a part of you is afraid you'd end up like that?"

Mari knew Chaser probably didn't like hearing those words - he had an anger directed at Freyd, a very real and reasonable one. "That doesn't mean you can't dislike him, nor does it mean he doesn't deserve a good ol' slap across the face." Mari added with an attempt at a reassuring grin.  

@ChaseR
ChaseR: HP: 1070/1070 | EN: 104/104 | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
Mari: HP: 1610/1610 | EN: 158/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

As Mari was kneeling down, checking the dragon carcass before it exploded into a sea of data - Chaser had found a place on the ground beside her. Blue hair tousled, masking dreary eyes with an equal shade of blue. Mari turned to him. "Mmm?" He had thanked her, and once again called her Ma - she should probably give up on getting him to call her anything else. If he saw her as a motherly figure (God knows why) then so be it. He seemed downcast. Moments before he had been so full of rage - now he was a lethargic blob. 

"Weird?" Mari questioned. Was he apologizing for the name? "Ah...N-no..." Mari waved him off with a dismissive gesture of her hand. "If it helps...who am I to stop you?" She asked. "I don't quite get why, but...it doesn't mean I won't try to understand. It's the least I can do, right?" 

It was then that Chaser mentioned he had quested with Freyd before. So Chasers anger didn't just come from what Mari had said. "I Gathered you had met him before but...did something bad happen between the two of you?"


@ChaseR
ChaseR: HP: 1070/1070 (+60) | EN: 59/104 (+1) | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
Mari: HP: 1610/1610 | EN: 139/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

Mari took the thermos filled with soup, its warmth prickling the palm of her hands. "A-ah...Uhm..." Mari glanced around. "I..." How was she supposed to eat this? They were in a brief reprise before the next battle. "Thank you...Beat." Mari said, not used to gifts. "I'll be sure to eat it later. When I'm needing it most." She clutched it tightly, giving the thermos a small hug before putting it away in her inventory. "That means a lot to me." She added with a smile.

Her eyes drifted over to Chaser; a quest involving fish? Well, that sounded like it wasn't on a volcano floor. "Sure." Mari offered Chaser a smile, followed by a small hand on his shoulder. "This is Beat. He's a friend of mine." Mari introduced the two - but the introduction was cut short with the appearance of Fenrir -a large wolf-like creature with bristling fur and chains wrapped around his legs.

Definitely wasn't enough time to eat any sort of soup.

Mari ran forward - activating her <<Dimension Stampede>> She managed a powerful attack, the hypodermic needle-like tip of the polearm inflicting bleed upon the mighty beast. "PHew..." 

@ChaseR @Beat
Dimension Stampede > Fenrir
ID:171700  BD: 8 + 6=14-1 HIT  - BlEED ACTIVATED
[x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above
22x 15=330-125=205

H:0] Beat
[H:2] ChaseR - HP: 1155/1230 | 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:0] Freyd - HP:1425/1425 | 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:1] Mari - HP 1535/1610  | EN: 141/158 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 43 | EVA:4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 83 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 | -17 EN   -75
[H:0] Shield - HP: 1811/1850 | EN: 164/176 | MIT: 226 | DMG: 2 | EVA: -1 | BH:92 | HB: 48 | THN: 99 | ENV: 18/4

Fenrir - HP: 3434/4000 | DMG: 300 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1 | MIT: 125  BLEED -24 2/2 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 20/50/75 Thorns damage.

@Beat had caught Mari staring, but he didn't pay her much mind. She doubted he knew the troubles that swirled around his thoughts, he seemed far too in his element here - even going as far as to pull out a bento box and eating it - getting crumbs over the lower half of his face. Mari pointed to her chin and tapped it. Did he not notice? She was trying to be discreet about it. 

...He did not notice. Beat simply gave her a wide grin in return. "Oh for the love of -" Mari left Chasers side, weaving between Freyd and Macradon as she approached Beat. "There." She pointed to her chin then his own. She shook her head. "No look,you got panko crumbs all over your chin." She chastised as Mari reached up and dusted them off of him. "That's better." Mari said as she took a step back from him wiping her own hands on her scarf.  "I feel like I shoulda bought something like that myself - but I wouldn't have enough for everyone - and uh...I don' really have access to food like that."

Mari rubbed her tired eyes. "You think people would appreciate me handin' out stale bread?"

PH En reccovery 2/2


"Why is everything in here massive..?

Mari shrugged. "Well, we have somehow ended up in the realm of gods. It's not surprising that they'd be depicted as taller than us." Mari followed along with Shield, Chaser and Macradon - who were leading the groups stead into the light. She wasn't too sure about blindly following some pantheon - but - she'd done worse, so Mari could not be the one to interject. 

Her eyes shifted over to Beat, and lingered on him. Yeh...she had done worse. Jumping into voids and risking the lives of others. Still, despite it all - the man seemed healthy, and well. Mari smiled.

"Ma?"

"H-Huh?" Mari turned back to Chaser. "Oh." What was he saying to her? Mari pursed her lips, eyes searching Chasers - "Ah. Quests.Right." She rubbed her eyes. Mari was tired, but she couldn't say no to him, could she? "Yeh...we can do something like that." Mari said. "What were you looking at? Did you want to invite anyone else?"

PH En reccovery 1/2


"Phew, that was a bit of a slog." Mari glanced to her HP and Energy bars. "Mmmm, honestly though I feel like that giant peep we fought in the dungeon took longer, eh @Macradon?"  Mari was doing her best to keep things lighthearted - but to any astute person they could tell she was pushing herself, hard. Her shoulders had slouched and her eyes blotchy with lack of sleep. It was clear she had been pushing herself awfully hard lately, with no reprise. Although Mari would never admit it to anyone.

"Mm? Oh - Uh..." Mari was listening to @ChaseR's question, a little taken aback at how he had started calling her 'Ma' again. "Norse." She said assuredly. "North Mythology. Hel is uhh...." Mari pursed her lips trying to remember it all. "I can't remember who she's a daughter of -  but she rules over a section of the underworld she also takes control of a portion of the undead, hence the chains."

Mari gave him a reassuring smile. "I don't think she's any danger to us right now - I think we got a moment to breathe."

"Is it really such a bad thing though?" Mari asked Macradon. "The fact that we yanno - feel this way, it means we still are all inherently human." Mari reached out to him and gripped his upper arm in a reassuring squeeze. "Sometimes, I think we need that reminder - of our humanity, ya know?" Mari turned her gaze down to the dragon. "Because if we don't we may end up loosing ourselves one day." 
 

Mari released his arm to hold her weapon with two hands. With a quick activation of her Sword Art she managed to impale the tiny dragon, over and over - with her eyes forced closed as she tried to shut out its tiny, feeble cries of pain. Her heart hurt doing this. Still. It had been defeated. Mari exhaled as she cautiously opened her eyes. 

"Well....guess that's done..." Mari picked up the remnants of the babe - the quest item to continue this hellish path, and some col. Mari chucked Macradon his share.

"You know Mac - for what its worth...I find you one of the most human people in here. And...uh....You're one of the people I care about most." She coughed a she turned away from him. "I mean, who else has the patience to put up with all my bullshit? Ehehahh..."

@Macradon

BD:171502  BD:8 + 4=12-2=10 HIT
Imperial Southern Cross (16 Energy) - Six rapid stabs, followed by a powerful finishing thrust at the opponent.
19 x 14=  266 - 90 = 176
 

Mari: [H:0] - HP 1490/1490  | EN: 142/146 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 |-2 EN
Macradon [H:2] - HP 1804/1805 | EN: 186/189 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 107 | EVA: 0 | ACC: 2 | BH: 90 | HLY: 12 | VMP.O: 180 | FTHR: 36 | FRAUR: 6 | PARRY | +1EN -2EN +1HP -1HP

Enywas - HP: 0/350 - MIT: 60 - ACC: 2 - EVA: 2 - DMG: 95 -6 Frost Aura [2/2]-  -176 DAM
Abilities:
<<Hardened Skin>> : Immune to Paralysis and Bleed effects. -30 Damage done to this boss, this does not count as Mitigation.

"Maybe-" Mari said to Chaser when he voiced his clear distaste for Freyd. Was Mari cautious of Freyd? Very much so. But Mari didn't hate him. Mari wasn't a hateful person.She had probably let out all her anger and aggression in the past. "But you gotta remember, it was his gemini - err...thing...that had ripped that outta me. " Mari turned her gaze away from Chaser. "I do believe he had some part in that - but...I can't find it in me to blame him." Mari let her spear drag along the floor as she walked over to Chaser.

He seemed so...frustrated and angry on her behalf. The jovial kid she had seen less than an hour before was all but extinguished. Mari knew that seething rage all too well, how it would eat away at you - corrupt you, place an oily veneer on your reality. It wasn't something that would dissipate with mere words, especially not from Mari.

The pole arm dropped to the floor with a clatter as Mari reached out to Chaser small hands filled with comfort and warmth pressed themselves against his cheeks. "If it makes you feel better, I won't chastise you if you choose to punch him." Mari said quietly. She carefully pressed her hands tighter  against his cheeks, smooshing them together. "Anger doesn't really suit your lil' face." Mari said with an added smile. "I can't tell you not to be, that's your right. But-" Mari removed her hands from his face and then grabbed his trembling hands. 

"All I ask is you remember to breathe, and take a moment. That's all."

And with that, she had turned from him, leaning down to check the dragon- she found nothing. Shame. 

@ChaseR
En+1

Total skins 8

Beat stepped in close, perhaps a little too close. Mari couldn't help but take a single step away - feeling her back press against the wall of the stair room as he loomed over her. Beat had grabbed her hand again, drawing in closer still - his dark hair tickling Mari's forehead as his own angled down to stare at her. 

"-I don't just say things.

 His hazel gaze bore down on her, and made Mari feel small, if it weren't for how his hand had wrapped tightly around hers, Mari would almost have thought he were threatening. There was a hardened gaze that bore into her, threatening to drown her with his grassy-earthen pools. Mari wasn't sure what to think, nor what to say.  A hand slowly reached up to place a palm on his chest. She could feel her own heart pounding tight against her own, but his remained a steady rhythm. This was unexpected. To her, he seemed like the kind of person who didn't want human touch - and that wasn't a bad thing - it just was. Yet here Beat stood, a hairs breadth apart from her. The heat from his grip pulsing in waves up her arm.  "It feels like lying."  And with that his eyes closed and he shook his head, removing himself from her personal space.

Mari exhaled - and realized she hadn't been breathing in those moments. Mari gave him a confused look. Cheeks flushed. She turned, ready to pull away from his grip but in an act of stubbornness the man refused to let go of her hand.

Mari tried to laugh off his words, waving them away with their free hand as they walked. "Ahah..ah...that sounds almost like a threat- " she chided. "Or a command." She eyed him from the side. "I ain't one to just order round, besides. I'm your guild leader...alongside your husband - might I add." She gave his hand a squeeze in return, to perhaps show him that yes, he was still holding onto her, and yes she could feel it, and mayhaps he shouldn't.

Her jovial smile fell, as she became more serious, following him as he lead her to his home. "But - it's comforting...to hear someone say that. I'm-" How should she word it? "You know I have a habit of hurting anyone who gets too close - I don't even mean to. Hell...." She pulled her hand away from his as they arrived at his home. "Hell. I almost killed you today. Really.  When you think about it."  Mari reached up and brushed his fringe out of his eyes.

"Beat...you do realize that don't you?  You could have...would have died because of me."

Mari gave him a weak smile as he beamed at her; proud of his home. "Only if I can eat the Chef's Special."

She couldn't be the one to tear that smile away from him.

@Beat

Mari snorted and covered her mouth as she tried not to laugh in his face. She thought she was thick. Well, this tall hazel-eyed man took the cake. Hell, he took the whole damn party. "No, no -Beat I- " She shook her head. Best let his innocence remain. "I get that. I know." Mari said as she drew in full breath and exhaled to release that small dose of giddiness he had given her. "I wouldn't be mad even if you did try."    ....Gods knows I'd deserve it.

They had ascended the stairs slowly. Somehow, hand in hand. It felt weird - Mari couldn't remember the last time she had simply held someones hand like that. Now that they were away from the 10th floor she no longer had the feeling that she was being watched. The crippling pain of something squeezing her chest tightly. 

"Everyone needs a rock they can lean against.-"

As Beat began to talk Mari glanced down at their hands. The way he had tensed up had not gone unnoticed by her. He probably didn't like that, huh? "Here..." Mari pulled her hand away from his - leaving nothing but the cool bite of frigid air between his fingers. "I don't have that feeling of ...errr...terror I guess - it's gone now. So I won't impose on you - sorry. I Uh, should have asked I, I guess."  

Mari turned to him and offered him a small smile. "I'm sure people have - I'm sure many people lean on you, and you just don't realize it." Mari baped the back of her hand against his chest. "You're a pretty good rock after all."

They were at the door to the 21st floor now - Mari had her hand on it, ready to push it open but froze at his next words.

"I like spending time with you Mari-"

Her heart skipped a beat, did he just say he liked spending time with her? Not many did. Hell, Mari could count them on one hand. "You.." Her voice fell quiet, and there was a quiver on uncertainty on it. "You - you're not just saying that?" It was a stupid question. But she couldn't help but ask it. And to say it felt right? That was dangerous. "I'd hate to ever hurt you, or make you loose those feelings..." But she would, wouldn't she? Because that's what she did best. Break, things around her. Mari pushed open the doors to the twenty-first floor - light flooded the room.

"Heh, well - I do suppose I have a bit more of a feminine touch than Shield does." Mari joked.

Yeh, a joke. That'd help.

@Beat

Shield always had such interesting insults - his voice rumbled, as though he were a mighty god himself as he taunted Hel - egging he own to target him and only him. Then came a decisive blow from Freyd. "You know..." Mari began as she turned to the man. "You've got a rather interesting fighting style." 
When its not directed at me

"It's uh..." Mari hadn't really spoken to him since everything had gone down. "You look well." Mari finally finished with.  She hadn't been able to  get a moment to talk to Freyd. With battle after battle - and Chaser close behind her. Mari chewed her cheek. "I mean. I hope you're well." She offered him a tired and weak smile before turning from him.

Mari gripped her polearm and charged forward - four short and fast stabs into Hels torso, and as the large and tall womanly figure turned Mari took another final shot into Hel's shoulder.

"She's almost done!" Mari called over her shoulder as she struggled to wrench it free.

ID:171310  BD: 4+6=10 - 2= 8 HIT
x15] Dimension Stampede (17 Energy) - An attack with four fast stabs, only to be concluded by a jumping slam from above
22 x 15= 330-50=280 DAM

[H:2] Mari - HP 1610/1610  | EN: 109/158 | DMG: 22 | MIT: 43 | EVA:4 | ACC: 6 | BH: 83 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 | 
[H:2] Beat - HP: 1225/1225 | EN: 101/120   | MIT: 3      | DMG 26(29)  | Absolute ACC: 8 | EVA: 0 | BH: 24 | Conc (0/3) | QChange (0/3) Sharpness [1/3]
[H:7] ChaseR - HP: 1230/1230 | EN: 95/120 | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 61 | HOLY: 6 | PARA: 8-10 | V.(DEF): 61 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2 | PARRY [-/2]
[H:7] Freyd - HP:1425/1425 | EN: 83/141 | DMG:26 | MIT:79 | EVA:4 | ACC:6 | KEEN:1 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:7 | BH:64 | TxV:24
[H:6] Macradon - HP: 1805/1805 | EN: 187/189 | MIT: 107 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 5 | REC: 6 | HLY: 12 | VMP: 180 | FTR: 36(21) | FRAR: 6[2] | PHS | 90 BH
[H:14] Shield - HP: 1674/1850 | EN: 132/176 | MIT: 226 | DMG: 2 | EVA: -1 | BH:92 | HB: 48 | THN: 99 | ENV: 18/4

Hel - HP: 185/3000 | DMG: 400 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2 | MIT: 50 | [18 Envenom - 4/4]  -280 DAM

"I haven't had a decent nights sleep for a long, long time." I said exasperated. "Hell..." I lowered my eyes. "I don't think I've even had a full nights sleep." Maybe that was why I was feeling so tired lately, so haggard and worn. Or maybe it was because I was struggling to pretend to care anymore. I waited as he asked me to bare with him for a moment, the first thing that hit me was a strong smell of coffee. I wrinkled my nose, I was never a real big fan of it, I preferred tea myself. He then pulled out a tattered cloak. Looked like it was one of those beginner item sets.

I would have protested it, I didn't want it - but it was cold and I no longer had a jacket of my own.  He seemed to, for lack of a better word - strip down to his bare necessities. And not the kind Baloo the bear sang about. I blinked when Freyd offered me a cup. "I don't drink-" I paused, then drew in a breath. He was probably trying his best to atone for everything he had done, right? That was what the big show was, with him taking off all his bits and bobs. I reached out and accepted it. Even if I didn't drink all of it, the cup would keep me warm.

I stared down at the liquid for a few silent moments before bringing up the cup to take a tenative sip. It was bitter, like I'd expected, but had a heady vanilla aftertaste that fought with the scent that wafted through the air. 

"Thanks."

He was being silent, I glanced over at him to catch him clamping his mouth down shut. Had I...said something? Done something? Probably. I turned my eyes back to the cup and closed them for a moment. Wishing morning would come already.

I opened my eyes to his calling, I knew it was his familiars name - or at least, I was pretty sure. He pulled out an item that had somehow given it a shimmery galaxy effect. The stars washed over us both, coating the inky black with twinkling dots of light. 

"I...always loved looking at the stars." I said quietly. "It's a shame I'll never see them again out there."

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

"Hmm." Mari picked up the last remaining item. It looked like a giant peep, not unlike the one they just fought. Although this one was wrapped neatly up in clear wrapping paper and topped with a pristine blue bow. "Looks like this has four lots of Overhealth on it. I should try to talk to a cook see if they can make it into a feast." Mari placed the item away in her inventory, along with the materials and col that she had gathered.

"Athough..." Mari placed a hand on her stomach, feeling queasy. "The thought of eating a feast of those things after that...Blech....doesn't feel me with confidence."

Mari snorted and laughed. Despite the sticky situation, the company was nice. "I do hope Oikawa is okay..." Mari said quietly, her eyes drifting back to where the man had to turn back and leave. Just what happened to have him leave like that? 

@Macradon @Calrex

Peep Loot Roll:
ID:171213  LD: 17

Out of combat EN regeneration: 1/2

Mari's Loot so Far:

30 T3 Materials: 
20000 Col
Toffee Armor: Tier x  3 Perfect Heavy Armor - Bloodclot, Thorns, Thorns
The Big Peep - Demonic Consumable: Overhealth, Overhealth, Overhealth, Overhealth
2 SP + 3 SP

 

"You don't really know me that well." Mari said sternly. "I'm working on myself, but I can't deny who I used to be. I was a shit person." Mari offered Freyd an attempt at a reassuring smile. "That doesn't mean I can't be a better person though. Part of growing is yanno... accepting your faults and mistakes - and learning to grow from them."  She felt like she was giving him a lesson. Mari coughed. Turning away. "D-Don't mind the lecture, I used to be a teacher so..."

Mari had a feeling Chaser was stubborn though. He probably wouldn't listen, come hell or high waters - he probably saw her as a good person, and wouldn't accept anyone saying otherwise. He even acknowledged it. Stating he'd be a brat, and she couldn't really stop him. 

"Mmmm...." Mari would have crossed her arms at this point but he spotted the next set of drakelings, and attacked them. Chaser shot Mari a look she couldn't quite understand - but. She followed suit, backing him up with a rising arc of her own. It struck down the first, but the second dodged, just in time to miss her sweep of the polearm.

"Hey, you okay kid?"

@ChaseR

Weeping Moon (9 Energy +2 per target hit) - Do a single and powerful 360-degree spin  x9
ID:171211 BD:7+6=13-1=12 HIT     Drakeling 13  CD:2 No skin
ID: 171212   Drakeling 14  BD:1 - MISS

Passive: En+1
BH: +72 HP
ChaseR: HP: 1018/1070 (+48) | EN: 67/104 (+1, -13) | DMG: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | MIT: 43 | BH: 32 | FRZ: 24 | BLD: 24 | V.(DEF): 53 | HBS: 16 | LD: 2
Mari: HP: 1610/1610 | EN: 138/158 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 | BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 

Drakeling 13: HP: 0/350 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [1/4] -162
Drakeling 14: HP: 81/350 | DMG: 200 | MIT: 15 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 2 | [Stun CD; -/3] | Breath of Fire [-/4] | BLEED (24) [1/2]

*Each Drakeling will attack with an AoE dealing 100 unmitigatable damage. After a 4 turn cooldown, the Drakeling will use Breath of Fire again.

Total Skins: 7

Mari tried to force a laugh, although it sounded awkward, warbled. Tinged with fear and unease as it shook with the anxiety she felt from being on this floor. "Ahaha..hahha...Y-you know if I didn't know any better I'd say you had ulterior motives for being so insistent In inviting me over." 

Beat didn't seem like that though. Mari drew a long and deep breath to try and calm herself down. "Okay." She said. "Yeh. Okay. We'll go to your place."

The two were well on their way toward the stairs now. Every so often Mari would jump, thinking she had heard a noise, or that something was about to pounce on her. It wasn't until they hit the stairs that she felt the unease begin to dissipate.

"Hey Beat..." She squeezed his shoulder before her fingers dances lightly down his arm, trailing over the taught lines of his muscles before they found his hand. Resting in it she curled her fingers around his and leaned forward. Resting her head on his shoulder. "T-thanks for grounding me... I don't know where this dear has come from, but I guess I'm thankful I have someone here to slap some sense into me." Mari pulled her hand away.

"So, what's on the men tonight?"

@Beat