Mari

"Dissipate? No, not here." I said as I tried climbing the same Debris that Freyd had, but my own feet kept slipping, I  did not have the same long legs that he did. I felt a little flustered - frustrated. I needed to get some sort of incline on what he was seeing - finally I reached out, my hand clasping over his wrist as I pulled myself up using Freyd as an anchor. He looked visibly flustered- but only for a moment. I ignored it.  "You'd assume all the other bodies would have dissipated too - but they're still here. I'd say this entire battle area is a quest zone. And they remain for..." I paused. It sounded almost dirty to speak of the dead in such a way. "For...ambient effect." I added quietly. Yeh, that didn't leave a very good feeling in the pit of my stomach. No wonder the Sundered Spire people were so pissed at us players.

The rest of what Freyd said...made sense, I couldn't argue with it. Now that I was standing beside him - I could see the tips of the tower- and the shadowy and rickety outline of the barracks. Even from this distance it felt like the entire thing was in disaray- leaking an ambient aura of decay and destruction. I crossed my arms, exhaling from pursed lips. It seemed a little far- but. We had little choice. "We'd best check any bodies we pass that look like they're lying atop another." I said as I carefully slid off the crumbling rock. "She may be hiding under a corpse."

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

It was hard. Trying to pick exactly what Freyds game was, in one moment he seemed like he genuinely cared about my well being, in the other it felt like I was nothing more than a case study to him. Someone he could dissect. I felt like he already knew too much about me - and at the same time, he knew very little. He...come to think of it, he reminded me of someone I once knew, who had autism. Could it be that? Would it be rude to ask? That's stupid, of course it is. You don't just ask someone something like that. He said he had been called worse than a sociopath. It was - confusing. He was confusing.

I quietly listened to him speak, not understanding things like 'Ydalin forest' but I just assumed it was a locale on another floor. I opened my mouth to question him but shifted to something else when he made the comment that no one had been there in a long time. I paused and crouched down by what appeared to be a body. I didn't think such things existed in Aincrad. "This is kinda depressing. There's nothing but things like this for miles." I ran my hand over the plate of armour the dark skinned warrior was wearing. "All that's here is death." My voice was low and pensive, almost forlorn. You think someone like me, a murderer - a renowned one would be used to this. But I wasn't. I didn't like seeing it. I lifted my head, calm blue eyes scanning the horizon. Nothing but body upon body littered the battlefield. "If she's here - she's not going to last long." My words had a sombre sense of finality to them. I did not expect to find her alive.

I stood as Freyd began to explain what she looked like - not that it did much - everything in this charcoal wasteland looked the same. A calloused hand reached out to me, a neat pendant resting in his open palm. "Hmm..." My hand extended, the pads of my fingers gently running over the pendant within his palm. Fingertips tracing its surface before sliding off his hand. "Okay. Let's continue looking. She may be in hiding."

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

"If your equipment works, it works-does the tier really matter?"  It probably did in some cases. But that wasn't what needed to be said right now. Mari felt a little...awkward with his lingering gaze. It felt like he was planning something. It reminded her of Freyd - and look at how far that had gotten her. "It's really nothing - I've just...seen a lot, and done a lot." Mari added as she tried to brush off  the subject of her level. "It just sorta, happened that way. But- if I can help just ask." There it was. The offer to help. Pushing down her own wants and needs in lieu of another, and it had come so naturally to her. No one would pick that she'd rather just coop herself up and away alone somewhere. Nor how tired she was. When was the last time I slept?

"Mary?" Mari shook her head. "N-No - its Mari -Mah-Ree. I-" She stopped again with his next words -

"-Or should I call you ma' for short?".

She froze. Such a simple question. Chaser probably didn't even realize that the word could me misconstrued as 'Ma. Mother. Mama...' There was no way he could have known. Surely. Still, the innocent utterance sent a chill down her spine - and set an ache that was deeply rooted in her heart. Mari hid it perfectly. She hid the heavy iron that pumped through her veins - the chill in her lungs. "Mari works. Just Mari." Came her cool reply.

"Well-" She took another breath to still the storm inside her. "You should lead the way, Blueberry."

@ChaseR

"I know." Mari said to his stammered apology. "It just -" She shifted her eyes away. "It caught me off guard. I am...was a mother - so hearing that is just...a little surprising I guess."  Blueberry went on to explain it was his day off - Mari bit her tongue, her first instinct to give him a quick barb about walking around alone in the dark. But, he did say his house was nearby, right? Mari visibly shifted her head to and fro - trying to catch sight of his 'house' but had seen nothing of the sort. "Was your house close to the battleground? The fight with the Sundered Spire wasn't too far from here...You say you're third tier? Heh." Mari put her hands on her hips. "We coulda used you against that giant crystal dragon. I'm a frontliner I'm err....actually hang on-" 

Mari paused to check her stats - she hadn't bothered to see her level for quite some time.  "Ah. Level 79. " That was higher than she expected.  Mari shook her head as she waved away her HUD. She didn't want to seem like she was bragging. Talk about levels and the like made her uncomfortable.

"Mmm....mines...." There might be some clues there. "Okay." Mari agreed. She may find something to do with the Sundered Spire here - that is, if there were still remnants of them around. It was why Mari was lingering around in the first place. "A quest might...be nice." As long as it had nothing to do with saving wives and doting husbands.

"What's the quest?"

@ChaseR

I'm horrible at talking."

Mari snorted. He was preaching to the choir. Mari was terrible with people. She wasn't very good with it. She often said the wrong thing and her initial instincts were to always push people away. Because it was easier and less painful. Every person she had let too close...either got hurt, or hurt her. Thus far the only person yet to do that was Macradon, and even he was held at arms length.

Mari had no idea who Shay was, probably someone close to the blue topped kid. "We are in a video game yanno. One limited with its release, I'm sure a good 80% of the people here have some sort of social..." Mari waved her hand in the air, trying to find the right word. "Social...ineptitude? Social awkwardness...it just happens in these sort of situations. Actually. This exact situation hasn't happened before - which makes it even harder to navigate, right?"   Mari would claim she was terrible with words. That she wasn't good with people, but strangely enough - times like this. Her awkward mannerisms and words just tended to be the right thing to say. Usually.

"Are people meant to act like 'mothers' so often..?

"M-Mother!?" Did he think that's how she was acting? "I uh..." Mari tugged on her hair. "No. Not normally - I just think..." Mari drew in a deep breath. "People should be a little more...understanding is all."  Mari chewed her cheek. She should probably get going, right?

"You can keep the blanket." She said with a wave. "You seemed busy so I best let you to it."

@ChaseR

He seemed to calm down at least; once the tea was in his hands. His shoulders slumped and despite their height difference he seemed incredibly small in that moment - huddled over the small teacup. Hands holding it as though it were the gentlest of kittens. "See. All it takes is a hot cup of tea." Mari reaffirmed. She didn't have her own to drink - she only brought the single serving for herself - but, at least it was going to good use.

"But - speaking of presumptuous." Mari began, her tone turning serious. "You're not wrong to act with caution. Maybe..." She glanced away. What was the best way to word this without upsetting him. "Maybe - not be so confrontational with a potential enemy. Small things can really set people off."  Mari should know, she was was the one with anger issues. She could have very well snapped at him, and added fuel to the fire, if she didn't feel so emotionally numb right now.

"Nobody's treated me this way before... Thank you...".

Blue eyes widened in mid shock. Did he mean just here? Or in his entire life? Either one sounded pretty messed up. No wonder why people were going mad here. Basic human things like affection and consideration seemed so scarce. "This fucking game..." Mari muttered under her breath.  Mari quickly shook her head. Right. She'd just have to keep offering that to everyone else then. She didn't need it herself. The last month proved that. She was perfectly fine alone. 

Instead; Mari turned her attention to the kid. "Well. Blueberry. I'd say that's pretty messed up. Don't you think?"

@ChaseR

Oh no.
Oh no.

Tears.
     Actual tears.

How was Mari supposed to deal with this? "Geez...I thought you were ready to stab me or something." Mari mumbled as he just...quite literally broke down in front of her. Why did she seem to have this effect on people? Why did they break down like this? Mari knew she was bad ...but... Mari closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. This was her fate wasn't it? Her form of redemption. She supposed she still had some pieces of her to tear off and give away.

"I am though." Mari said quietly as he tried to tell her she wasn't a murderer. "I took those lives. Regardless of the reason. I could have been stronger - but I wasn't. Nothing can nor will change that."  He was still crying. What was she supposed to do? How was she meant to comfort him, especially when he was asking her to list all their names. That... was a little much for her right now.

There were moments of silence as she watched him, streaming tears cleansing flushed cheeks of whatever rage he once felt.  He probably needed that salty release, if his quick anger was anything to go by. So Mari did the polite thing and waited- as much as she wanted to just walk away from the situation it seemed that the kid needed her. "I'm not quite ready to talk about it so freely with you." Mari said as she awkwardly reached out and planted her hand in the midst of his aquamarine hair. "And you're in no condition to record them."

There was another long pause, followed by another pat.

"It's...okay. I'm used to it, and honestly..." Mari stepped away and tried to offer him the faintest of smiles. The ones she was used to wearing. "It was a little refreshing to have someone react that way."  Should she try to distract him? Or let him purge himself of everything he had pent up? Mari took a step back as she opened up her HUD - bringing up her inventory she pulled out two things. The first, a fluffy white blanket - something she had taken from her home in case the nights out here were too cold. The next. A single cup of milky earl grey tea. Mari pressed it into his shaking hands.

"Sometimes, all we need is someone to listen, and a warm cup of tea."

And just like that, the crumbling mask had been put back together.
@ChaseR

"Right!" Mari said with a grin. It was nice to hear from Mac - he wasn't forcing some point of view on her, he wasn't telling her how she should feel. It was...nice. It was probably why Mari always felt so relaxed around him. She knew he was there for her if she called, and he knew the same was reciprocated. There were no expectation between them beyond anything more than each other. "It's not that - uh..." She scratched her cheek. "It's not that I'm not trying just-" She drew in a deep sigh. "It feels like I take one step forward and several back. Somethings always been thrown at me. But - you're right."

She stopped in her tacks as they finally arrived at their destination. "It's time to fight some dragons." She paused as she glanced down at the barely hatched dragon, inwardly wincing. "Even...if..." Her confidence wavered. "Even if its....a teeny tiny baby dragon." Why was this a quest? This was just painful. Mari took a few steps back and activated her charge skill and a sword art. And with that she ran up to the dragon ready to strike

"Chirrup~♡"

Mari stopped in her tracks at the cute sound the dragon made. "I-I..." She lowered her spear and gave Macradon a pained look. "It's too cute."


@Macradon

Action:   Charged [x14] Imperial Southern Cross (16 Energy) - Six rapid stabs, followed by a powerful finishing thrust at the opponent.
ID:168122  BD:2 + 4=6-3=3 MISS

19 + 5= 24 x 19 =456 - 90 =266
Mari    [H:0/0/0] - HP 1490/1490  | EN: 143/146 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 |-2 EN

Enywas -| HP: 350 - MIT: 60 - ACC: 2 - EVA: 2 - DMG: 95
Abilities:
<<Hardened Skin>> : Immune to Paralysis and Bleed effects. -30 Damage done to this boss, this does not count as Mitigation.

"You really think I'm doing nolthing?" Mari asked as she crouched down by him. "You're going to make that assumption based on a few minutes of talking to me?" She asked leaning on her knees. "You think once I've taken a life I'd develop some kind of lust for it? What are you, 12? This isn't some game or anime, kid."  Mari stood as he scrambled to push himself off the ground.

He...was crying? Mari blinked and perhaps it was because she was a mother but she instinctively reached out, her thumb brushing gently under his eyes to remove the tears from his face. He would have jerked away so Mari retracted her arm. It must have been weird to an onlooker, with how tall her was compared to her, but there was an underlining sweet tenderness in her action that was difficult to ignore. Despite her cold words and demeanor. 

"I can't bear it. That weight will always be on my shoulders." Mari said softly, the cold from her voice melting to a pensive whisper, just loud enough for the two of them to hear. "I'm here because I want someone to remember them. I want their names to be more than etchings on a monument. I'm here because I've taken so much from this place, and now - I want to do all I can to ensure everyone else can go home. So don't be a brat- and tell me what I am and am not fine with."

@ChaseR

"Death is light as a feather - duty, heavy as a mountain." Mari began. "What use is it to clear the cursors colour? It wouldn't clear my past. I could take Redemption - but, unless I felt deserving of it, unless I earned it, it'd be hollow. Besides..." Mari turned her side-ward gaze to the blue haired youth. Her eyes steel cold. Sure, her words were wispy, washed out ramblings. But her demeanor? Mari straightened her back. Her face showing narry a flicker of emotion. She didn't mean to look down on him in that moment, but - it was painfully clear how experienced she was. "Do you really want someone like me walking freely?" Mari stepped toward him now, slow calculated and deliberate steps - her feet barely making a sound against the dirtied ground. "Do you really want a murdurer walking around town? Your words clearly show your inexperience."

He misconstrued her words, assuming she was enjoying the act of taking a life - Mari did not correct him. He could think whatever he wanted about her, one more person hating her, that was but a drop in the ocean. "You have made it painfully clear you don't know me." Mari said, still calm amidst his outburst. "I'm not trying to convince you of anything." Mari shrugged as she came to a standstill in front of him. "You're the one throwing accusations."

Mari was sick of people telling her how she should feel, and what she should do - as if they knew what was best for her. Even this kid, couldn't mind his own business. Mari reached out and placed a palm on the flat of his chest. She pressed hard, pushing him out the way so she could pass him. "There are too many names for me to list them to you, I don't need to answer your open ended question." She began as she passed him. He was being a right sh*t - and everything he said was wrong. "No matter what I say, you're going to throw it into my face, so I'd rather not say anything."

Although he was right about one thing. "I never did kill out of malice, no." Mari said to him. pausing in her trek away fro him. 

@ChaseR

"Wh-" Where were these bold accusations coming from. "I-" It was...actually it was oddly refreshing to see. Someone guarded and demanding. Someone who treated her how she expected to be treated. Deserved to be treated. Even if it was terribly naive. "Where do I even begin..." Mari said with a small sigh as she turned on her booted heel so she could face the youth again. Mari ran a hand through her hair. Normally....normally she'd lecture him on how he was being unsafe - just demanding such things from a PKer? Did he want to get himself stabbed? But Mari left those words unsaid. He wouldn't care to hear them and Mari no longer had the energy to entertain them. It'd just make him dislike her more.

"Protect your house?" Mari asked as she  glance around. "Do you...live in the dirt?" It was an honest question. She had been for quite some time, and many other players were simple vegabonds. Camping wherever they saw fit.  "You don't even know my name and yet somehow my reputation precedes me...I'm Mari." Not that he'd care. "I don't want anyone else to die. Me saving your-" She paused, glancing around. "Erm. house." She finished skeptically. "Was just coincidence."

Why did she do it...

Mari turned her gaze to the sky, or - what would have been the sky if the entire floor were not underground. Why? Why did she keep bothering to fight - was her answer real? Did she really not want anyone else to die? Mari tried to find the truth in her own words. If someone were to drop dead in front of her now - Mari wasn't sure how she'd react. Maybe her gemini was right - maybe she didn't really care at all. 

"Or maybe..." Mari added quietly. "I'm just going through the motions of caring. As for why I haven't attacked you- I really see no reason to. I don't want to. Do you think everyone who has an orange cursor enjoys it?"

@ChaseR

RP COMPLETE


All Players recieve 3SP + 266 Col
 

Mari looked up to see a young kid - judging by his soft facial features she had to guess that he was on the cusp of adulthood - if not already there. It was a little hard to tell - and if her run in with Freyd told her anything, it was not to misjudge someone's age. Was he...really asking her that? "What's what?" Mari asked in response as she wiped her hands off on her scarf before pushing herself to her feet. He stood taller than her - but hey so did everyone. Blazing sapphire eyes stared first at her crystal then at her.

"I'm just passing by." Mari said quietly. Here is where she'd usually offer him a grin, her name, and a pun or two - but Mari just wasn't feeling that these days. She was too tired to wear that mask of constant smiles. She'd torn off herself, piece by piece to try and please everyone - and now there was little of her left. 

"My presence clearly bothers you, Blueberry." Mari turned her back on him, waving him off with a dismissive wave behind her back. "So don't mind me, I get it. Big scary PKer. I'm not going to do anything." 

@ChaseR

Mari blinked at his sudden, abrupt, flat retort. Did she hit a nerve? Mari pursed her lips. Was he okay. He seemed bothered. Mari was too when she found out. Bothered that he had come back, but not said anything to her - but, she could easily guess he hadn't told anyone. She couldn't blame the guy. But - it was a bit of an ass move. To not even tell his closet friends of how many years? Still - Mari figured they'd all make their amends in due time. Alkor would approach Corvo in due time.

"Well - if he doesn't approach you in say, a few months - let me know. I'll find him and drag him through town wearin' all pink on a leash." Mari said with a wry grin.  She hoped she wouldn't need to make good on her bet - going through town was the last thing she wanted. Dragging Alkor around with a leash, hmm - maybe not that bad but.

(Somewhere, Alkor sneezed)

Mari didn't linger on the topic - its what neither of them needed right now. "I don't have any death wishes." Mari retorted. "I never reall-" She stopped and bristled. Cheeks bright red when he commented on her body. Did she? Wait, Did she? Mari whipped her head around to try to glance at her own postieror. She knew she wasn't skinny. She had thick thighs and wide hips - but. BUTT...

Mari turned her attention back to Corvo. What the hell was she supposed to say to that? And the way he had said it. It wasn't accompanied by finger guns or a wink. "Please." Mari scoffed as she finally regained her composure, pushing herself off and away from the tree. "We haven't seen each other in months, ya must be remembering wrong. C'mon, I'm feeling restless - let's walk and talk."

@Corvo

 

Quest

Mari was back here, on the 21st Floor - where they had fought that mighty crystal dragon -Skalaugh. The battle felt longer than it ever needed to be. It was a catalyst, in a way. Or maybe it was meeting Freyd that had been. She was making her way back down from the 23rd floor and chose to linger here for a few reasons. Mari needed a break. It'd take some time to make her way back down to the 4th floor, and as a marked PKer it made travel using the ports...difficult. Avoiding guards in town just seemed like a...hassle. Once, Mari would have cared about the people, hell - even the NPCs. She'd not want to set foot into a town because she didn't want to incite fear, worry, or concern.

But did any of that really matter anymore?
 

No matter what she did, no matter how she acted - how many smiles she gave, how many puns she said. She was still met with scorn. She still felt incredibly hollow. Mari was just...going through the movements of living. A part of her was worried that if she didn't pay enough attention she may just wander right off the edge of the floor, and would that really be so bad? 

The tired woman sighed, a long and low exhale as she knelt down to start going through the dirt - this was near the battle. Did any of those crystal shards remain? Any of those strange Tokens Freyd had? If she found nothing Mari would simply move on. This was just busy work whilst she rested.

@ChaseR

 

I reached out to him. He was crying after all, and it was my fault. This just proved it - I always hurt people. Maybe Life was right, and I was like a venom to those around me. A slow acting one that tightened the chest - causing pain and confusion. Even so -

I gently brushed away his tear with the pad of my thumb. “Sociapaths don’t normally get emotional like that.” I said simply as I pulled away. He didn’t need me constantly touching him - he didn’t want it. I was just making up for my comment earlier. I wouldn’t be surprised if he brushed the whole thing off like nothing had happened. That’s what I would do. “I wasn’t calling you one, Takeshi.” I reiterated as I turned away. I didn’t need those deep crimson eyes analysing my actions. I didn’t really feel like seeing it.

“No.  But others have. And they were right to do so.”  He frowned.  “This… the last time… Yori?”

“Who’s that?” Did he forget who he was with briefly? Some sort of mental lapse. “No - Mari.” I added my name with an irritated emphasis. “And screw them. They’re not here now, are they?”

“Yori was the name of the boy who was killed at last year’s Tanabata festival.  The one whose clothes I found.”  There was actual, uncharacteristic venom in his tone as he spoke the words.  “It doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”

“Riiight…” I wasn’t sure why he had dropped the name. But, It’s not like I was a mind reader. Now - back to the matter at hand. We had been steadily trudging upwards. I didn’t know where we were going - I was following Freyd. Every so often, we’d pass a discarded weapon, or a empty helmet, one of which I kicked away with my boot. These were the outskirts of a battlefield.

“We must be close.”

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

“Synthesized human reaction.” I corrected - “He’s reacting in the way you’d assume one would when it comes to his wife but reality-” I turned to Freyd, I knew it wasn’t the best idea to talk about personal things. Still, the words trickled out. “In reality - it’s rarely that kind, or simple.” I sighed as I began to tug awkwardly on my scarf. Needing something to do with my hands.  Reality was much more cruel. Or maybe, it was - just to me. Bitter memories of my ex husband bubbled to the surface and left an unpleasant sickness in the pit of my stomach. Then there was Alkor - we had made amends, and were friends again, but the hurt of his actions scarred me deep. Not that I could really talk about that. My face soured.

“We’ll do our best to save her then.” I said with resolution. “May as well let the NPCs be happy in their relationships at least. Gods know this stupid tower needs it.”

“Strange, isn’t it?  How we find common ground in this?”  Freyd looked both confused and skeptical, as if he couldn’t reason his way out of the mystery.

“It’s easier that way.” I said quietly. “To use such a scenario - it’s one many people can relate to - or at least acknowledge the importance of. You’d kinda have to be a sociopath to not understand the basic idea of love. Even if you haven’t experienced it before.”
 

Freyd’s expression shifted decidedly towards the neutral at her words.  Any shade or veneer of emotive response lost as his eyes searched the ground for some manner of anchor.  Finding none, he just blinked a lot, staring at empty space. Did something I say upset him? I didn’t think he was a sociopa- hmm. Maybe a little. But I wasn’t directing the commentat him.

“People like my ex-husband fall into that category.” I said in an attempt to ease him.

It felt nice - in an odd way - to be talking again. Without realizing it I had bought my hand to my throat, rubbing it pensively. Did my voice crack? Was it obvious that I had barely spoken a word out loud in the weeks I was away? Maybe hiding myself away wasn’t the right answer- but if I hadn’t…

If I hadn’t what would I have done? Lashed out again? Jumped? Honestly - at this point both seemed very likely. I still felt like I was simply going through the motions of everything. I found my thoughts drifting more and more - feeling like it’d be easier to just jump. Or to tackle an overbearing boss - knowing defeat was the only outcome. Truthfully…

…

Truthfully...the only thing that kept me going was a foolish promise I had made myself. Not till the final boss. Not till I could make sure everyone else would make it out.

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

I pulled the coat tighter around myself. I always forgot how cold I felt, until something warm brushes my skin. "Did you get something this thick on purpose?" I asked as I rubbed my arms. Savoring the warmth. Maybe I should change my attire to something less - cold. Especially since I had lived on the fourth floor. Maybe Shield was right, what did he call me? Something like a witch? A small, amused smile brushed my lips at the thought. Maybe I was.  “You mentioned that you hated the heat, as I recall.  It seemed appropriate.”

I nodded, still not quite understanding his words. “Mmm - warmth, I don’t mind but unbearable heat like those volcanic floors...yeh, I don’t like them.”

I listened to his story. “It’s odd…” I thought aloud. “That someone you had killed has contacted you. Now asking for your help, and you say he works for the Spire? You know my first thought is a trap.” I commented. Freyd nodded in agreement - it seemed that we both had the same line of thought on the matter.  It felt weird - so casually saying he had killed someone, I told myself that this ‘someone’ was nothing more than an NPC - a series of ones and zeroes - but...that logic was what spurned the creation of the ‘Sundered Spire’ wasn’t it?

I lowered my gaze to the ground, kicking at a loose pebble as he turned to lead us to our destination. There wasn’t a lot more I could say on the matter, every so often a question would pop to the forefront of my mind - but it would just as quickly dissipate- like gentle smoke caught in a gust of wind.

“His Wife...huh…”

How was it that a NPC, a Dark Elf NPC - cared more about his wife than my abhorrent ex-husband? If Mari knew any better - she’d say Freyd had picked this quest on purpose - picked her so he could impart some sort of life lesson on relationships. But- he didn’t know that about her. This was nothing more than circumstantial coincidence. Besides that-

I shifted my gaze over to his figure. Besides that - it didn’t seem like he knew all too much about the intricacies of romances. He seemed like the kind of person who you’d need to hit in the face with the obvious with that sort of thing. But that was not uncommon in Aincrad. Many of the players here were maladjusted social outcasts. That’s why we all turned to video games as a reprieve. 

“So- what happens if we can’t do that? Bring them back to safety?” I asked. There was the very real possibility that his wife could be dead. Especially if they were in the midst of a battle.

I knew this probably didn’t please him. My questions were mostly kept to the matter at hand - they weren’t personal. Things like ‘how are you’ or ‘what did you do recently’ just didn’t seem appropriate, nor was I sure he wanted to answer them. He was keeping his distance. But - I suppose I was doing the same thing.

Wasn’t it better this way? Keeping people at arms distance, it meant I wouldn’t be hurt anymore.

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

I looked up at him, the familiar and tall visage of Freyd. I didn't really have anything to say to him. Questions - I had many of those. But none seemed to pass through my lips. None seemed fitting for the moment. 

"Of course." Came my response. "I promised I would help you with this. I don't go back on my word." 

He pulled his cowl away to reveal a worried look reflected in his crimson eyes. That concern directed at me. Did he feel guilty for what he did? He should. He did a serious of stupid things. He lied to me. Manipulated me. And for what? Something he thought I needed.

I don't want to be lied to...

Still. I felt bad that he was giving me that look. "I'm fine, really." I said as I tried to wave off his concerns. "Did you bring a cloak for me?" He silently nodded and passed me one. His gaze lingered. Did he...even blink?

I quickly equipped the vanity item, "Guess we match now." I tried my best to give him a small smile. I had to remember to do that again.

Smile.

It might have been a month. I wasn’t sure - perhaps a little less than. I did what I was best at. Secluding myself. Although I did make a promise that if anyone reached out - just one person. I’d be there. That’ what I did best, wsn’t it? Be there when people need me, then move onto the next. But no one had reached out. Granted, I hadn’t reached out to anyone else either - I just...didn’t feel like putting on my facade.

The cottage was dark, no light lit - and the fire - which had always been stoked, warm and welcoming was extinguished. I just didn’t feel like keeping up with it all anymore. Who was I lighting the fire for? I didn’t care if it was light or dark. The place was just a small reprieve. Somewhere I could pretend to get some sleep. If sleep ever came.

Quote

To: Freyd
Subject: Re
Okay.
It will take me just over a day to walk there. Pick up a coat for me.

My messages were short before,so its not like that had changed. I sent it off with a sigh as I pushed myself to my feet and silently left. I didn’t need to bring anything extra - aside from the coat he had asked me to bring. Something I had no real way of getting. Did he constantly forget I was a PKer?


---

Just as I had promised, it had taken me a little over a day. I arrived at a different place than the one he had asked me to meet- a crumbled down building just outside the safe zone on the outskirts of the settlement. I probably stuck out like a sore thumb. He really...really didn't know how it worked being a PKer, did he?

I opened up my messages;

 

Quote

Freyd;
I'm by a small run-down building outside the safe zone.

And with that message sent off, I waited.



@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

General
Level: 77 | HP: 1570  |Energy: 154



BATTLE COPY
Mari    [H:0/0/0] - HP 1490/1490  | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 |

SKILLS
Rank 5 Weapon (+5 DMG)
-Weapon Mod: Precision (+1 ACC)
-Weapon Mod: Ferocity (+1 DMG)
Rank 5 Charge (+5 Damage -1 ACC)
Charge Mod BULL RUSH: Successful charge stuns target 1 turn
Rank 5 Light Armor (+25 MIT)
Light Armor Mod Athletics -  Gain +1 base damage and +30 HP when wearing light armor
SURVIVAL
Rank 5 Battle Healing (5% of total health rounded down start of each turn)
Familiar Mastery Expert - +1 (*Tier) Damage - +9 Damage
Extended Mod Limit Rank 3 (+3 Mods)
First Aid: Cost 5% in EN Heal 4% per rank of a target party member’s maximum HP (rounded down). Cannot target the user.
Field Medic Mod: 12 En + 3 En per player:  heal for 20% of each party members maximum HP

EQUIPPED
Name: Bleeding Lance| Item Type: 2H Assault Spear | Tier 3
Enhancements: Bleed 2 | Damage 1
'Bleed Damage of 24 for 2 turns on a roll of 8-10'
'Burn Damage' of 24 for 2 turns on a roll of 8-10 - Unmitigated

Name: Beacon Necklace | Item Type: Pendant | Tier 2
Enhancements  +3 ACC 

Name: Infernal Shadow | Item Type: Light Armour | Tier 3
Enhancements:  +2 Eva | +1 Flame Aura
'Effect: Prevent (6 per slot * Tier) damage per slot from successful attacks against you. Successful non-critical attacks against you deal (5 per slot * Tier) unmitigated burn damage to the attacking enemy.

COMPLETE

Both Players recieve
200 Col  + 2 SP

Mari didn't really understand it - she didn't understand how he had found her. When she had tried so hard to stay out the way of everyone. Nor how frazzled and pained he seemed to before she was attacked by his dopple ganger. Only for a switch to be flipped -and for him to reveal it was all a part of his plan. That he wanted this to happen because he felt it needed to. He didn't really know her - they had met but a handful of times. She had questions, but not the energy nor drive to ask them. Mari doubted Freyd would give her a solid answer.

"It's fine." She said quietly. "I get it. You were trying to help." No harsh words. No anger at him for manipulating her, or following her. It was like everything she had held onto had finally slipped through her fingers and what she grasped at was empty air. She wasn't sure who the 'we' was - be it him, and his shadowed self. Or him, and the players. "I'm not sure you exactly went about it the right way. But...I'm not going to chastise you over it."

Mari stepped away from him, his hand - and the warmth that came with it fell from her shoulder. "I'm going back to my camp."

It was twisted. The way he had gone about it. "That hurt you know." Mari said. And it did, more ways than one - she didn't like the overwhelming feeling of throwing up an entire entity.  She didn't like feeling like she had lost control. She didn't like anything about the situation - and it left her lonely, painful, and tired. "I know I'm needed." Mari said quietly as she turned away from him. "It's why I'm here."

There was no logic in sadness, nothing to gain from misery - from pushing others away. Mari knew that. Yet she couldn't help herself. Plagued by her past, whispers - the whispers telling her she was a monster. Unworthy. Deserving to suffer. Mari didn't think she was some kind of matyr for doing all of this. She was just...going through the motions. Now...more than ever. She was trying to grasp at what she should feel - how she should react and what she should say. Even as Freyd stumbled through an apology. Giving her his own reasons. Although Mari questioned why.

"And, if it'll make you feel better, I can always try to get you another pair of Raidou's glasses to break, or you can stab me a few times."  

This would be where Mari would put a smile on her face - grin back, offer puns and wry words of wit. But instead of that. Mari simply stared at him for a silent moment. There was nothing she felt like saying. Nothing she felt like doing. The whole ordeal left a coldness in her blood - a silence in her soul. The chill bringing her heart to a standstill. "You don't need to do that." It was the most pragmatic answer she could give. One that wasn't fueled by rage -or sadness. Because right now, Mari felt nothing.

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows

Mari turned to Freyd. She was too tired to deal with his crap right now. The manipulation. The lies. "So why did you do it?" Mari asked. Curiosity getting the better of her. She knew she shouldn't ask and walk away. Getting involved was what got her into this mess in the first place. "To sate your curiosity?" She asked. "To find out how I used to be? Don't you think it strange to just...do that to some stranger?" 

Mari paused and turned away from him with a small sigh. "Whatever. I'm too tired to care." And she was. Mari felt like she'd topple over at any second. She rarely, if ever got sleep. She was always fighting herself. Always trying, always failing. Now this asshole comes in and decides it'd be a fun time to push her.  Raidou had attempted something similar, although less extreme. 

"Although I had slapped Raidou for far less." Mari warned.

"I'm....tired..." The Doppler said as she finally dropped her spear. "I don't want to be here." She voiced Mari's thoughts - the ones that plagued Mari every day. As she dropped the weapon she began to loose her form. It seemed that Mari's continued passiveness to her doppler - and the continued acceptance of all it had to say, seemed to be its weak point. 

"I know." Mari said as she reached out to her doppler. Mari must have looked a right mess. Several deep gashes bleed pixelated data across her torso, chest, and shoulders. And if it weren't for fate - Mari may very much have died there. She' have accepted that death, both her and the doppler knew that.  One might say that the Dopple Mari was a contradiction - she wanted to be free, but she didn't want to exist. But - Mari understood that all too well. 

"I'll be there." It was a loosely veiled threat from the creature that began to look more and more like an amalgamation of oil and ooze than of Mari, its gurgling voice literally breaking down. "Beneath your skin, wai-waiting for you to kill. To accept yo-"

Mari took a step forward and placed a hand on her head. "That may be so, but at least you get to rest now." 

The Dopplers response was a maniacal, almost relieved giggle as it faded from existence. 

@Freyd - The Whisper in Shadows
 

Mari : HP 554/1490  | EN: 146/146 | DMG: 19 | MIT: 43 | EVA:3 | ACC: 4  | BH: 72 | BRN: 24 |BLEED: 24 | FLAME AURA: 15 |-781
Fake Mari  HP 770/770 | DMG: 270 | MIT: 134 | EVA:2 | ACC: 4 | BH: 72 | BURRIED PAST:  On a 9 +100 Damage on a 10 + 200 DAM | SHADOWED: IMMUNE TO STATUS EFFECTS