Mari

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 Doctor. But was it here already? Or did he build it? If he did…he would have spent his entire time in Aincrad doing so. Surely…

Subject #26 - Johnathon Drake

The man on the table, Mari, had guessed. He didn’t even have to gesture to the man. It was obvious. The thing that gave Mari pause whoever - were the names written down on the other piece of paper the man held. Each of those names were people in Mari’s contact list. So when she was unconscious…he had gone through them? She glanced up at him. Wary.

Left? or Right? Which is more important to you?

He was making her choose - between this…Johnathon Drake character…and her friends. Mari felt insulted. He was severely underestimating the sheer strength of her friends.

“My left, or yours?”

A poor time for a joke.

Mari picked up the manilla folder and started leafing through it. This man had assaulted multiple people…with no sign of stopping. Mari wanted to believe people could be redeemed but…

Thud

Her head rested against the glass with a heavy sigh. She also knew some were past that. Oscar had shown her just how many people were past that. Another flip of the page as she silently read the details. Ricin? Her eyes shifted up to the plague doctor then back down to the paper. “Normally…you wouldn’t survive that…doesn’t Ricin like take 36 hours or something?” Mari said quietly. She wasn’t a doctor - but Ricin was widely known to be one of the most toxic substances. And this man had emulated that.

He had emulated Ebola.

Mari loved her friends. She had the utmost faith, and trust in them. But - she wasn’t sure they could survive that. 

Mari took her time going over the paperwork again. With what was running through his system. It wasn’t a matter of if, but a matter of when. Mari’s gaze lifted to Johnothan - his eyes met hers and he whimpered.

“P-please make it stop.”

Mari’s stomach churned. On the one hand - she didn’t want to see anyone suffer. Even if they were a Pker - but his wrap sheet.

“I wonder how many of your victims said that.” Mari asked cooly.

The man jolted, his eyes widening in fear then falling into sobs. That was her answer. Most people weren’t able to face their actions head on. Most weren’t able to come to the reality of what they did - they’d dish it out tenfold, but the second an iota of that was pushed to them, they’d crumble.

Instead of saying left or right. Mari simply pointed to the beaker with the mans name in it.

The action made Mari feel sick. She wasn't sure if she just condemned him or not. Her blood felt like it had run cold - and her head spun. IT felt like everything she had been working toward all these years was beginning to spiral - and unravel...

But

She would not risk her friends for this.

Even if they saw her a monster.

Even if she died.

She would not risk her friends for anything.

“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 this man again?

She paused. That…was a possibility. He didn’t seem like the type to share much with anyone. Still…Mari had to prioritize her health. She didn’t want a lecture from Raidou or Freyd. She didn’t want to disappoint Oscar.

“What?” Mari asked the man as he pulled out a syringe. Mari eyed it curiously, cautiously. There was enough distance between them for her to feel safe enough. He showed her the length of the needle. “Compensating?” Mari chidded. Why was he showing her this?

Mari shook her head, and turned to leave- and that’s when he latched out - gripping her wrist with his free hand. “H-Hey get the fuck off.” Mari hissed. She bought a leg up to kick into his chest - but she already felt heavy.

Shit

Shit.

It felt like hot lead - travelling up her up. Her legs buckled then collapsed. She struggled to move her limbs. A mild panic set in and Mari had to remind herself to calm down, else her panic would only let the toxin pump faster through her body. Her eyes shifted to the exit - resting on a nearby shadow. Damn…if only Freyd had been here.

You knew this was a probability, you practically begged him to do it with your guard down
  You’re just that desperate aren’t you?


…

–

Two Days Later

Mari woke with a groan. Her limbs were still heavy. She glanced down at herself - she wore…plain black clothes. Pants, and a long sleeved shirt. “What the…” She hadn’t been embarrassed at the notion of being changed - her modesty filter had been set on - so all anyone would see would be a flourish of pixels.  Her hands ran across the material and it felt soft. But it smells acrid…familiar. Like the -

That fucking plague doctor!

Mari jolted. Now fully standing. And it didn’t take long to realize Mari was in a cell. Great. Another prison. This one though…was different. Her cell didn’t have bars - rather it was surrounded by thick glass. The floors, ceiling, and wall, were all pristine - and had the distinct sting of bleach to the air.  There was a single sink - hung by chains, and a small bed - also hung by chains.

Her eyes shifted to beyond the confines of her cell, where she saw movement.

Him

He stood by a metal table that housed her belongings. His back was to her - but Mari knew better than to open up her menu right now. It’d take less than a second for him to turn and see what she was doing. 

What was more pressing…was what he was doing.

Strapped to a table - was what looked to be a Player Killer, the telltale orange crystal floating above his head. As he pulled out a long needle the man began to scream - Mari flinched. Just what the hell did she get herself into?

“HEY!” Mari screamed as she banged a fist against the glass.

“The fuck is this?”

Did he experiment on Pkers? Mari felt sick - was she next? Maybe she should have worked toward redemption sooner but...if he wanted to do that to her, wouldn't she be the one on the table? Why was she given these amenities? 

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 between the two. With a flourish he showed her the very same liquid he doused her in. Oh

She had almost drawn the wrong conclusion. She had almost assumed he meant harm. When by his actions alone - it was clear what his intention had been. “You…wanted to improve upon that spray… No… that…makes sense…”

He’d done nothing to her - Mari felt a little guilty having messaged Freyd now. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry. Her eyes shifted to the side as she tugged on her hair. The mutterings of exhaustion mixed with the miasmatic effect the floor had on her mental acuity slipping through again.

“I almost didn’t throw it though…” Her words were spoken more for herself, than the man before her. “It was so hard to but…what choice…it seemed inert…but…oh…the applications - it’d make sense…it’d depend on the pathogen…but…”

You’re loosing it Mari

She blinked, then groaned as she rubbed her very tired eyes. “Dammit. Sorry.”

It was clear she was struggling, she took a staggered step back - almost swaying til she righted herself - straightening her back and kept her focus back on the strange enigma before her.

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 except, yanno, making a potential virus

Her eyes shifted to her weapon. Right. Last time she had it out he didn’t take too kindly to it, did he? With a heavy sigh, a twist, and a sudden jerk - Mari freed it from the ground and set it away in her inventory. “Sorry… This floor gets to you after a while.” Mari admitted, tapping her temple for good measure. She didn’t need to explain further. She knew she was already struggling with it. Could feel herself slipping into rants she’d otherwise keep hidden.

Her eyes shifted to his open palm, unsure of what he was offering, or expecting. “I threw it in the Stygnian.” Mari said flatly, taking a step closer to him. There was a hesitation now.

She still had one question. Why. Her eyes shifted up to his crystal. He was marked a player killer. Something Mari never used to judge anyone. It’d be too hypocritical. After her time in jail…she wanted to be more trusting. And there was something about this person, what he offered. The potential of things yet explored - there was an excitement in Mari’s eyes - before she shook her head. Not allowing herself to get swept up in it.

“Why?”

If he wanted to get out of here, why? Was it aimed at NPCs? If so - Mari couldn’t give a damn about them. But Players? She couldn’t fathom anyone wanting something like that to eviscerate the chances of leaving here.

If the plague doctor were to approach she’d still - entire body frozen as she watches him approach. As he draws closer Mari would stand upright - the erratic behavior dissolving in a veneer of precarious confidence.

“Ah. Well if it isn’t lil’ Solnyshko?”  She asked, her tone low. If memory served her correctly, it was a term of endearment - something about a sun? The exact nuance didn’t matter to her, simply - the use of Russian. “The Filoviridae family…” Mari began as the cracks already began to form, a twitch of her eye - a blink that was too long and too heavy.

“Zaire…Sudan…Budibugyo….Tai Forest….Mahburg…” With each strain, and each name Mari took a step, and with each step she tapped the ground with the butt of her weapon. “Each identifiable by a very obvious…tell tale rope…” Mari paused. Her back to the man as she looked up at the ceiling. Even as she said it, it wasn’t believable.

“It was such a pretty colour…” 

Mari shook her head as though she were trying to shake away the perverse thought. No, such a thing wasn’t pretty. “It was so obvious from the start. Even so..I spent two days creating a makeshift centrifuge - a bastardized form of magnification…I was close to using blood and testing it on that - ahh…but I didn’t have microscopes…no ampules…” Her tone lowered, as she began to mutter again. “Maybe if I had some kind of glass..perspex box - rubber gloves…it could - I wonder if an artisans tools would work with - but the bunsen burner would melt it…” Her spoken thoughts were broken. Mari blinked. Shit. She was rambling.

Mari turned back to face him. “It was obvious. You even graciously had it steeped in that telltale hue of violet and lavender - I just didn’t see it. I didn’t think it possible. So why. Why?” She asked again, slightly more erratic.

“Did you fashion an Ebola Virus, Solnyshko?”

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 between Oscar and Beat in this moment. In the past, it was something she had feared - what if her guilt went away?

“I think whats worse than guilt - is the lack of guilt.” Another pause. “N-not that it is always a bad thing but...you begin to question if you’re okay. You keep telling yourself you’re doing the right thing. What is one life in the face of many - but that lack of guilt - it eats away at you, in a way… at least - that’s what it was like for a friend.”  She missed him. Mari missed Beat. his stoic gaze - his steadfast approach to ridding Aincrad of Player Killers.

“It’s…a strength I don’t possess. Instead, my drug actually was guilt” She didn’t elaborate on it. He was clearly down, so she wasn’t going to bore him with what she used to deal with.

“If you’re a serial killer, what does that make me?”

“Hmm…” Mari thought for a moment, she leaned back on her hands and took a deep breath. Enjoying the view. Enjoying the clean air. “An idiot.” She said simply. “An idiot first. Then a serial killer.” Mari turned to glance at him. Those words would sting any lesser man - but Mari was ever brutally honest. “But - I can’t fault you for it.”

Without looking at him Mari reached out, and let her hand sit on top of his head. A very awkward attempt at support and comfort.

Mari listened quietly s Oscar spoke of many names he never did put on the rock - and she almost tumbled forward into the river in shock at his admission. “M-Me??”Mari asked incredulously - pulling her hand away, her??

Mari learned forward and inched closer to him, their knees now touching. “Oscar…what? I”m…” What should she say to that? That this man whom she had only met a handful of times had noticed how hard she tried. A hand came up to cover her mouth as she felt a well of emotion bubble up. That’s all she ever wanted.

Was for someone to acknowledge she had tried. Not placating words. Not telling her that her actions would speak far louder than any apologies… just…admitting plainly and simply that they saw how hard she tried.

A hiccup - and a small sob. Why were her eyes stinging.

“That’s…all I ever really wanted…just for someone to notice that plain fact, with nothing attached to it…” She said with a shaky breath.

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 have missed that part of the conversation whilst she was off in her own little world. Mari glanced down at her glass, half full - and then threw the rest of it back. Wincing at the burning sensation. The cup was returned to Freyd before Mari reached out and accepted his hand. It was warm. So irrevocably warm that Mari feared she was sucking it all up and away with her own cold grasp.

“You know. Ever since I became a PKer…I’ve never slept in a bed.”
 

Freyd’s fuzzy brows dipped in concern, his eyes narrowing. Mari couldn’t help but laugh at the reaction. With a stumble she waved him off. “N-No…I just…you seem to wear your emotions so much more easily now.” Mari tried to explain, with a hiccup. “I-Its nice. But I mean..” Another stumbled step. “I think I could use a bed tonight.”

As they walked Mari had to lean heavily on Freyd. When was the last time she felt like this? Being drunk was so freeing…Mari had to make note to try again - when she wasn’t so cold.

They came across Witherwind Rest - the estate was large - but not obnoxiously so, rather - it was like a quaint little area carved out all for a happy little family. “Heh…” Mari didn’t mean to sound so bitter, “Its romantic.”

She was just lonely.

“I miss Oikawas bed…” Mari groaned as she went to take another step forward- almost tumbling.

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 ordinary. It’d almost be a romantic spot - if it wasn’t for the ominous bioluminescent puddle in the middle. 

Mari backed out of the cave and turned on her heel. She was early. That suited her just fine. Mari yawned and allowed herself to crumple to a seated position. Mari covered her mouth and nose with her scarf - it’d do little to alleviate her of the smell that still permeated. “Just…gotta…wait…” Mari said sleepily.

The woman wanted answers. And she would get them.  All she had to do was survive one more day. Then she could leave this accursed floor.



Mari | [Word Count: 2615/5 = 523] * [True Tier: 9] = 4707 exp

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 for the upcoming boss fights? Was this terrible inoculation a gift in disguise?

No. its too dangerous.

Mari threw her arm back, as if to throw the vial into the river.

If you throw this away. You throw away so many opportunities. Isn’t this what you wanted? To focus on yourself? You love studying things. Are you going to throw that away for the good of the people?

Maris brow furrowed and she screamed out in frustration as she turned on her heel and allowed the vial to fall from her hands. It landed on the ground - still in tact.

“Ahhh…..Fuck. Shut the fuck up!” She hissed. One hand clutching her head. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t fair. There was a difference between right and wrong - and this was oh so inherently wrong. Was she seriously contemplating keeping it? Was she mad?

Mari began to pace now, “Its easy Mari…” She muttered to herself. “Just throw it away. Throw away the damn thing. Sure it could help but…at the end of the day its just too dangerous - you’re not skilled enough to do the things you want to do…that’s okay…that’s okay… but you can’t ….let something like this get in the wrong hands.” 

The redhead continued to pace back and forth, muttering to herself ,for nigh on an hour before exhaustion began to creep in. And with exhaustion - came a final decision.

Mari knelt down and picked up the vial. She offered it one last shake, one last peer into its insides before throwing it into the river. 

That…

Was the right decision.

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 was it because it was…so well known? Did he simply want to test her knowledge? 

“You’d be pretty…” Mari whispered. “If you weren’t so deadly.” 

And so she continued toward the River. Even if it were inert, benign. She couldn’t…wouldn’t allow it to exist. Mari couldn’t risk heating it up - so she decided to do the next best thing. Have it completely disintegrate.

“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
From: Mari
Subject: None

EVD? Doubtful.
Did you know Radious glasses make for a good magnifying glass when stacked up?

Coordinates XX YY ZZ
Time  XX
If I don’t message you an hour after this. Check on me. Send Goops. Not yourself.
It may be nothing, but caution. Floor 10, been here a few days.

Echo flowers are equally amazing and abysmal. 

Despite her best intentions; her message seemed a little erratic.  But that was her contingency plan in place.  Mari still wasn’t sure if this doctor character could be trusted or not. She wasn’t sure if this was just some kind of ploy, or test? No…it was a test but why? And for what purpose did he give it to her?

Vanity tag @Freyd
 

“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 with a level of authority to her tone as she looped an arm around his and began to drag him away from the spot. It’d do neither one of them any good to stare at that thing. Mari had done what she came there for - to ensure people she cared about were still alive. And Whatever Oscar was doing there …that could wait. Mari could tell that he needed …he needed something. She wasn’t entirely sure what - but the answer did not lie at that testament to all the lives lost. Mari knew all too well where ones mind went when you stared at your sins for too long. She knew the weight of a life. She knew how heavy the action weighed on the soul. And Oscar clearly struggled.

So there she was; someone who barely came up to his chest - dragging the man, the beast behind her like he was a lost pup. As they broached the invisible order that designated the safe zone Mari’s grip around his arm instinctively tightened. Were his muscles always so taught? Did he always smell like earthen wood? A Quizzical gaze shifted behind her to look at him. It was hard to picture the jovial hotdog man to be this tall stoic figure. Mari wanted to know what happened - what lead him to as he put in his own words…go to war - but this was not the time or place. Instead, Mari offered him a comforting squeeze of his arm.

Mari had lead them to a small lake; the early morning rays danced upon its rippling surface - and the area smelt like fresh grass. It was a place Mari enjoyed. The two trees nearby bloomed, and white blossoms drifted gently on the warm breeze. Birds fluttered to and fro - singing, trilling happily amongst themselves in the branches above. Mari finally let go of him - and took a few steps to distance herself. Missing the warmth that he bought. But that warmth was not hers to take. A pang of loneliness tugged at Mari but she pushed it down and away. Instead, she simply sat by the lake - and continued their conversation as though no time had passed. Giving him the answers he sought.

“It was self admittance.” Mari said quietly. “I was breaking. I couldn’t handle things anymore - so. I allowed myself to be taken.” She snorted. “Of course, it didn’t help the APD were after me either. So maybe a part of it was…out of spite? If anyone was going to imprison me, it’d be me.  I had a ward. Raidou - who would check on me weekly. Without him I don’t think I’d have ever been able to leave that place. Its a fuckin’ maze - guarded by all manner of mobs and that dragon. You say....I didn't deserve to there - but Im a serial killer, Oscar. I did deserve it. I deserved to spend the rest of my time in Aincrad there.”

That dragon…

Was its name always on the monument?

“Ah - I’m rambling.” Mari patted the ground beside her. “Come sit. I’ll answer anything to the best of my ability.”

Mari had questions of her own, but just by looking at him, she knew it would do him no good for her to ask.

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 happened if I drank it?” She muttered. Mari still wasn’t sure if she was supposed to believe it or not. If it was just a ruse. It had to be a ruse. The man was just trying to test her. “Im not staying here…” Mari hissed as she grabbed the vial and left her tent. If the woman would be able to slam her tent flap, she would have. 

Mari would assume it was benign - but - she also wasn’t going to take any chances. She knew exactly what to do with this thing.

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 - he must think her a right fool. “I didn’t know you were-” She stammered. Then paused. No. This wouldn’t do.

One.
  Two.
    Three.

It took three large steps for Mari to broach the gap between them. “What?” This was Oscar? This tired looking man? “Oscar…” Her tone dripped with relief as she reached out to cup his cheeks in her hands. Failing that, because she was a little too short Mari huffed, her hand twisting around the leathers of his chest and pulling him down - so she was actually able to place her palms on his cheeks. So she could look at him eye to eye.  “You’re not…” Her eyes shifted up to the crystal that floated above his head. “You’re not…” There was a quiver in that second, as though she were on the verge of crying, but such emotions didn’t spill forth. Mari took a deep breath. “I’m…so relieved you don’t have an orange crystal Oscar.” Her hands lingered on his cheeks for a moment. Leaching from their warmth before Mari let go.

“A glow up is an understatement.” She joked as she took a step back. And she was right, he…looked good. If it weren’t for how tired he seemed to be, that is. But Mari held her tongue on that for now.

“If I may be honest.” Mari began. “It doesn’t look like you’ve won shit. If anything…it seems like you’re just destroying yourself.”

That was harsh.

Mari shifted her gaze away. “Sorry. I just…that path is rough. But you don’t need me to lecture you on it.”

He asked her where she was, and Mari all too readily took the conversational shift.

“I was locked up in the Black Iron Dungeon for the past two years.”

 

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 - but it was clear. She was already feeling the effects of the alcohol. Granted - at this point she was about 4 drinks in.

Mari held out her hand, expectantly, and with a chuckle Freyd reached out and poured her a second glass. “I promise…I’ll take it easy on this one.” Mari admitted sheepishly. She leaned back against the tree - the two sat opposite each other. The soles of their shoes touching.She listened quietly as Freyd did his best to alleviate her doubts. “You’ve always done that.” She said quietly. There was a pause as she took a long sip from her glass. The first flavour she was hit with - was a smokey malt. Reminiscent of the countless drinks she had back in the real world. There were other notes - but Mari couldn’t quite pick them. She licked her lips, and continued her thought. “Try to bring me up - I mean. Even if…” She offered him a tilt of her head and a wry smile. “As you say - the ways were manipulative and philosophical.”

Mari felt him tap her foot and she snorted. “No. I’m not moping. This…is nice.” She had to rest her head on the back of the tree, it swam. “Takeshi.” Her voice was soft, and the use of his real name created a pensive atmosphere. There was a long pause.

“Amari. I know - All I did was take off a letter but. Amari.” The woman admitted, using her real name with him for the first time. “And Right now, Amari is fucking cold.”

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 a start.”

It was nice, feeling his head atop hers, the kind of platonic love shared between friends. Mari had no interest in Macradon - and he had no interest in her - but still…intimate moments like this. It was nice. Perhaps it was so comforting because there were no obligations to it, no underlining reasons. Simply I’m here for you not spoken but shown through gestures.

“Yeah, more days like these”

Mari snorted, “As many as you want, Mac.” She mused. “I’m not sure how well you can keep still…but as many as you want. I’m living for me now.”

The energy shifted when she mentioned Redemption. Macradon lifted his head - his grin widening. Mari knew that look. He was about to do something wild. And, true to his character Macradon splashed about, excited at the prospect. Before Mari could correct him, telling him that as far as she was aware- redemption had to be done alone - but he was already gone.

“Oop…someone should tell Baldur…” Mari said quietly to herself as her eyes followed him. She winced every time a foot slipped, or every time his hand missed its mark - a slippery, wet man scaling the wall was not something Mari expected to see so soon after her release. She couldn’t help it. It looked so comical. Mari laughed. “Y-You look like…one of those toys you throw at a wall and it flip flops down…” She wheezed between giggles. 

Macradon was now at the top - he seemed to be scouting the area. Come to think of it…was this hot spring even deep enough for him to-

"Geronimo!"

The splash wasn’t as big or as epic as Macradon had imagined - the water was simply too shallow. “Hey!” Mari jumped up, and waded over to him - the water coming up just above her knees. “Dude…” Mari placed a hand on Macradons back and steaded him. “Are you okay…that…looked like it hurt.” Another step closer and she felt her food slide down into a divet.

“Huh?”

Mari glanced down. You couldn’t see it - the steam made the water too murky but… “Hey…” Mari said, distracted as she started to circle Macradon, feeling the divet with the soles of her feet. 

“I think you just gave Baldur a permanent Macradon shaped indent in his hot spring. Here…feel.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him next to her - trying to get him to see what she was feeling.

A very distinct outline of a person.

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.

“Freyd doesn’t know what he’s on about…this is kinda amazing.”

With a gentle hand Mari stopped the centrifuge as the liquids separated. She leaned forward. Examining the threads. Why did they look so familiar? Mari wracked her brain, trying to recall all the chemistry she learnt back in collage - it…almost …looked like…

“Is this Ebola?” Mari asked herself quietly. “No.” She quickly corrected. That made no sense. Even still…it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out. Rather, it took nothing more than high school knowledge to know what a marburg viral contagion looked like. The tell-tale strings were a dead giveaway. Mari could have guessed it at a glance - if it weren’t so completely and utterly unbelievable. 

Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach churned. Was…that plague doctor…not a good person? She opened up her messenger again - Freyd knew just how much the boundaries of this place could be pushed. Perhaps he’d have some kind of answer.

To: Freyd
From: Mari
Subject: None
Do you think it's possible to make contagions?

It couldn't be....right?

Vanity tag @Freyd

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 lips - again wondering if it would be easier to just drink it - but something about those spindly threads warned her against it. Mari pushed herself to her feet and opened up her menu, she already knew what she was going to do. And how convenient for her - two pairs of Raidous glasses fell into an open palm as she pulled them from her inventory. “Sorry Rai.” Mari breathed as she popped the cracked lenses out of their frames. Mari had planned to return them, after getting them fixed but - necessity calls.

As Mari sat back down at the table she blinked. Having received a message from Freyd.

"Built... why!?"

Her eyes narrowed in disappointment. She wasn’t expecting accolades from him, but she was expecting…something. Didn’t he also like investigating stuff like this? Didn’t he care? Why was her deed met with confusion?

“He doesn’t understand…” Mari muttered quietly to herself.

A feeling of pride welled up inside her- and Mari just had to message someone. How many people within Aincrad could say they built an actual centrifuge?? Not many, she chanced. There were few people she knew that would appreciate something like this. Mari didn’t have the name of the plague doctor - so she messaged the next best person.

Quote

To: Freyd.
From: Mari
Subject (none)
Guess who just made a fucking centrifuge!
Me. I did.

That was all the context she’d give the man. If he was curious - he’d ask.

Now…Mari peered curiously into the vial - the liquids would soon filter back into each other but for now. It was like a lava lamp. “How pretty…” She said to herself, almost mesmerized by how the spindly strands wiggled and churned within the liquid. “You surely can’t be what I’m thinkin’ of. That would make no sense.”

Mari yawned. It was late…she took a step away from the table, rubbing her eyes. They stung - partly from staring at the vial for hours on end, and partly from the acrid smell that still lingered. Sleep. She’d sleep tonight and figure out the rest tomorrow. She still had two days after all.

Vanity Tag: @Freyd

It took the better half of the day to procure the equipment for it - it would have been much quicker if she didn’t have her orange crystal but…Mari didn’t think she’d have the time to go beat redemption then try to figure out just what was in the vial.

….Which she was still tempted to drink. No. No Mari. That was bad. Real bad. She couldn’t do that. Instead. Mari began to work on her makeshift centrifuge.  It wasn’t too hard really - She had a lazy susan which she had bolted to one of the corners of the table. On top of that, a large wooden plank - with small dowels to hold things in place. On one end, Mari had placed the vial - for good measure she had wrapped some string around it to hold it firmly in place - the last thing she wanted to do was to have it flung off and break.

“Okay…” She had tested it once with a bottle of water - but now was the real deal. Her eyes shifted to the strange vial then, she started to turn the lazy susan - utilizing a piece of string she wrapped around and around the base of it, all she had to do was pull hard and fast on the string till it spun. The wooden machination whirred loudly then slowly came to a stop.

The vial came to a stop, and the liquids began to settle, now two separate colours - a dark viscous purple, and sitting on top of it; a soft hue of pink - those same spindly strands that she caught earlier. “Just…” Mari thought to herself as her brow furrowed. “What are they?

If Mari were to recall her chemistry lessons - the spindly ropes did remind her of something…but - there was no way.

DAY 1

The encounter had been an odd one; one that Mari still struggled to understand, at times the plague doctor seemed volatile - but in each of his actions, he had done no harm to her. The closest thing to harm would be his threat. A blade to her throat- but Mari didn’t take that to heart. They were both Pkers, it was a natural response. He never actually acted on it. After that, he had even helped her. Dousing her in some form of acrid mob repellent.

That repellent…If Mari were to get in his good graces she’d have to see about acquiring it for herself. It was simply too useful. Sure, the smell left much to be desired - but it didn’t bother her too much. Mari wasn’t around others enough for it to be a bother to anyone else either. Oscar…Maybe? Or Freyd.

The weight of the floor, and its constant threat to crush her with its sense of foreboding meant nothing compared to the new challenge Mari had before her. A vial - so small and innocuous. She stood in the center of the tent that was her former ‘Alchemic Contagion’ store. Its floor covered in rugs, the pillows all pushed to the side to make way for an extra table. Above that table hung a near fluorescent light. It had been too long since Mari was excited to work on something. Too long since she bothered with her crafts. Too long since the joy of experimentation was made possible.

Then this tiny thing just falls into her lap from some strange Russian doctor? She peered into the vial, the inside was viscous - and giving it a small shake - it almost looked like thread worms? “I can’t seem to identify this - so that means…it wasn’t made using the alchemy profession.” Mari mused. She had just three days to figure out what it was.

Mari gently shook the vial again, noticing that with enough force - the liquids would begin to separate.

Oh

…She’d need to make a fucking centrifuge.

“Mari.” Came her quiet response as she watched him work. “I’m Mari.” She’d probably never know his name - with him being mute and all, but she’d be remiss if she didn’t at least tell him her own name. Cautious eyes watched the man to see if the admission sparked any sort of reaction. But there was none.

Of course - she was only guessing the doctor was a man - partly due to his tall stature, but everything else about him was an enigma. Mari had planned to leave him to his own devices, but - they had already passed the void - and there was no sign of her former companion.

She found a spot on the far corner of the cavern and made herself comfortable, pressing her back against the rough, cold surface of stone. “Those flat topped mushrooms…” She began, idly pointing to a set of fungus growing by his knee. “Have paralytic effects.” She shifted her finger to another section of the cave. “That moss - when dried. Its powder form in small quantities can alleviate symptoms that cause difficulty in breathing. In small quantities. Too much and it causes shakiness - heart tremors. Headaches.”  

She fell silent; watching him work. That strange spherical device worked quickly, collecting sample after sample. Her head tilted as he seemed to have another contraption - spring loaded? A vial of water spring loaded into his jacket? Curious.

“No doubt you’re sick of my voice.” Mari began. “But I lived here -  I experimented. A lot. So - if you need help developing cures for whatever you’re looking for. I might be able to help.”

She decided not to mention exactly what her experiments where. If he knew, and he knew her - then there was little that needed explaining. If he didn’t…well, that was just one less person who knew of her messy past. “Not just this floor. Others too. The sulfur pools, nepents drool. It’s insane - how much Aincrad has to offer.” She mused as she allowed herself to close her eyes, just for a moment. “I admit…its nice…watching someone else work. It fascinates me.”

There was a strong silence between the two. Mari pressed skin against his blade - just enough so the smallest trickle of red crystalline data fell. She wasn’t afraid. Confused. But not afraid. The weight of the floor bore down on her though, bringing the sins of her past to the forefront of her mind. The tantalizing array of concoctions, the confusion. Mari forced her eyes closed and had to remind herself to breathe. Slowly. Else it’d swallow her up.

Once she opened her eyes again she noticed movement - vials strung along his torso. And her curiosity peaked again. Just what was he doing? When she first approached - there was that mild hint of fear - but he seemed placid - then the threat - now…

“Did you-” Mari coughed, waving her arm back and forth in front of her face as she coughed again. “Stink spray?” She asked incredulously. Mari couldn’t tell if this man was dangerous or not. A gloved hand covered her face, as he continued to spray her hair. Was he mad???

Right…

There was no way this man could be dangerous if his biggest threat to her was a simple knife, followed by making her smell bad.

Then - he started to spray himself. Mari stared at him. No. Not stink spray then? Some kind of repellant? Her mind began working in overdrive as she straightened herself, patting down her hair. So - it wasn’t an act of aggression then?

Odd.

Mari watched him essentially play a game of charades. And it didn’t take a rocket scientist to know what he wanted. She nodded. “Aight.” Despite the constant upheaval of emotion Mari was feeling, the man hadn’t exactly done anything to warrant concern from her.

She gestured with her head for him to follow, reaching out she pulled her spear from its position in the ground and put it safely away in her inventory.

Mari began to silently lead the man through the cavern - practised motions. As though she had walked the path hundreds of times before - since - she had. Mari held out an arm warning the doctor of a steep crevice and started to move around it. During their trek - Mari couldn’t help but notice something.

There weren’t any mobs around. No - that was wrong. Mari stilled as she watched a skeletal creature lift up a sword - several feet away. ONly to begin to disintegrate the closer it got to her. Before its sword could land any sort of blow on the woman - it had melted away entirely. Nothing more than ash.

Oh.

Ohhhh how interesting.

Mari turned back to the man, eyes wide. She had so many questions for him. “You’re interesting.” She opted to say - rather than bombarding him with questions he could not answer.

Another several minutes of silence and they neared the Void. Echo flowers dotted it. And, if the two listened real hard - some of them mimicked Mari. Crying. She hoped he could not hear that. “Little further.” Mari said, quickening her pace.

Then - there was a cave - just as she said - north to the void. Within it was a bioluminescent pool - surrounded by various mushrooms. Fireflies danced upon the waters surface. But the water itself? Still. Very, very still. As if any life that came within contact to it, had ceased.

“There. Happy?”

The strange contraption spluttered - and with a small puff of acrid smoke which caused Mari to cough several times it had managed to fold itself up into something that one could easily carry. The curiosity grew. There was no way to hide it. Mari was entranced by the device. The doctor - ever silent he quietly worked. It was clear she had many questions. How did it work? Was he going to separate all of that down? “Like a centrifuge…?” She mused to herself. He didn’t answer her.

The man packed his things and made to walk away. Their conversation finished there. Mari was going to let him be - she had no interest in bothering someone who did not want to be bothered. Especially one who clearly meant little harm. Her eyes shifted away from him to rest back on the bubbling Stygian river - the scent of fetid flesh bristling her nostrils. It was nostalgic. Mari closed her eyes and exhaled softly.

That’s when it happened.

She felt the cold tinge of a blade against her neck. Her heart beat hard against her chest as the cool blade repositioned, a threat? Did he consider her a threat? Ah…She had her weapon out the entire time. Mari’s intention was to use it as an anchor - not to harm him. But she could see why he’d feel threatened. If he knew who she was - he’d have a right to be afraid.

When was the last time someone had done that to her? Threatened her so brazenly? 

“I ain’t even planning on following you so you can -URGH!”

Mari felt herself being pulled up, she looped one leg around her spear - again using it as an anchor. He wouldn’t be able to tousle her around so easily. She was closer to him now. Her eyes narrowed as her tired, blue gaze - once filled with curiosity were steeled with a wary caution. With her free hand she drew up her scarf to cover her mouth and nose. He smelt acrid. Like harsh cleaning chemicals. It burned.

“I have no qualms with you, doctor.” Mari said evenly. Voice muffled by her scarf.