Haine

She giggled in light of Katoka's pun and all the good wishes received. A soft "For sure" followed her response to Freyd. It warmed her to know that the blonde was willing to help with dress hunting. "Yes, of course! I'll need all the help I can get." The more, the merrier, after all. A decision for what would be her big day couldn't be made lightly. As for the wedding, Haine had her own qualms, namely those of insecurity and uncertainty within herself. The what-if's and the realization of time moving forward was a frightening change, even more so without the important figures in her life present. It was a new chapter in life, a symbolism of love and hope. Time was not to be taken granted in a world ever-evolving. With the couple on the front lines, the woman feared for their future. Should anything happen to them, they would have these memories to hold onto.

A step out the door and an instant wave of frigid air chilled her skin. The woman wrapped her scarf taut around her nose, a buffer from the inclement weather. She kept quiet for most of the trek up the ice caps, mind wandering in thought. Her gaze fixed idly on the polar bear pouncing through the snow, ecstatic in his element. Moist snout shoveled the snow, bits flying onto the women in front. A soft smile graced her lips as she watched the bear in all his innocence. It was ample distraction until they neared the summit.

Glaciers framed the edges of the wintry scape, translucent and hosting the corpses of both human and mammal. A chill ran up her spine. Was it from the cold or the foreshadowing of what remained ahead? A bit of both. "Well, it does look cool," Haine mused, aloud. "Kinda like the Ice Age! Or somethin'."

Haine's interest in the small talked piqued at Kiluia's addition to share. "Mmm, I see, I see. Good taste." She nodded in approval. "Variety is a plus. I like a bit of everything, actually. Keeps a fresh playlist." At the mention of television, she gushed. "Ooh, yes. Psychological horror and mystery is a nice one too." Whilst she loved the genre, she couldn't deny that she had too weak a mind and will to withstand it for long. The lights would always remain on with her dog at the foot of her bed if she could think to entertain such genres.

The pleasantries made her all but forget her sister's situation, stuck in a tree as a pack of wild boars butted heads with the stump. Impatient, the girl fired out another message. It came as a resounding ding to the other.

Quote

I'M GONNA DIE.
But while you're there, grab some chips.
R

Haine rolled her eyes. "Ah, s' nothing. Queen Sheba demands sustenance." She waved her hand in dismissal and stepped into the town entrance gate. A medieval fantasy-scape greeted her, to which she marveled. A celtic tune resonated from inside a tavern, new players flooding the cobblestone paths. The old fashioned armor reminded her of a page from an old folk fairytale. Whimsical.

"Anyways," she added, "My taste is all over the place. Classics are a must, but I can dig rock, Indie, Pop?" She tapped a finger to her chin in thought. "The only thing I really hate is metal or errr, screamo?" She visibly cringed. A round at the corner of the bazaar revealed an array of mouthwatering pastries on a vending cart. "Perfect. Sis'll love these."

Haine sputtered out the salty waves, gasping as her head reached the surface. Her reprieve was momentary, when another oncoming tide pulled her under. The process of drowning felt unnatural in this game compared to reality. The urgency of oxygen deprivation underwater caused more of a panic than an uncomfortable feeling of her lungs expanding. She pulled herself together and pushed inland. She threw her spear off to shore and let another wave push her further. She crawled onto the sand, the cool wind sending shivers up her spine. It was a miracle she could swim in such heavy garb. The bluenette gathered her might and advanced.

The lurker aimed its attention at the raven. Quick to intercept, the woman charged her spear. With one trained slash, she picked the scales off The Lurker's back. The creature gaped and flopped about like a fish out of water. She drew it further to shore lest another wave knock her off her feet and drag her in once more.

"Alright, Kil! After you." She propped her hands on her hips and trailed beside the other. His limbs were long and her petite framed reached just shy of his shoulders in height. With every leisure stride he took, the girl mirrored twice with slight exertion. She spared a glance at the glades among the horizon. Little blooms sprouted from the base of the earth, providing a pop of color which was pleasing to the eye. Haine approached a bloom by the sole of her foot and plucked it from the soil. "So realistic," she hummed, holding the stem at eye level. Fingers rolled over petals of soft red velvet. A light inhale and the scent of pure nectar permeated her senses. She tucked the blossom into her shirt pocket. She loved the flair, a contrasting crimson against muted beige.

The deep voice diverted her attention back to young man. "Well, I play a liiittle bit." She pinched the air as a gesture. "I'm a shit shot, I just rage quit too fast," she admitted, with a scratch at her nape. "I'm a busy gal, y'know? I write music for fun and I'm a choir girl." Her mind traveled to her favorite spunky bluehead. "Besides, my sister hogs the tv too damn much. I don't mind it though, we binge watch cartoons."

"Ah, really?" She clicked her tongue. She was self-aware of her lack of MMO knowledge. She hoped to make up for it somehow, and what better way to practice than hands on in this world? She metaphorically pumped her fist for some motivation. His words invoked a sense of joy within. "Really?" She clasped her hands together, eyes glimmering. "For real?" She was off to a great start for being so scatterbrained and overwhelmed. Welp. That was two people confirmed as contacts. Her brother could tag along, but as elusive as ever, he was hard to catch. "Of course! I can introduce you to my sister. That'll make a party of three." She spared a glance at his light garb and dagger. He, just as her, seemed in need of some refining. He carried an air of maturity to him. Perhaps she could appoint him as party leader.

As they neared her sister's point on the marker, a message popped up on her HUD.

Quote

Oops. I might be... in a pickle right now? Get me those HP things before you get here pls : ( I'm fine, I'm in a tree but these things are vicious.
R

The pinkette scratched her head and sighed. "It's a message from my lil' sis. I need to make a pitstop to town. She's in a pickle already." Leave it to the younger to rush into combat with reckless abandon. Trial and error was a lovely way to learn, but also a lovely way to put a dent in your pockets. There must have been some sort of penalty for a game over. "Do you happen to know the nearest potion, thingie place?" The girl spared a soft smile.

The woman fell back on her rear. Much to her astonishment, the reel and line were intact. Soft eyes of gold transfixed at a quartet of lesser minions, in tow with a large mobster-like fish. Haine blinked, incredulous. "W-Well," she swallowed, thickly. "I wasn't lyin' when I said that!" She spared a glance over her shoulder and laughed heartily. Reaping the whole nine yard in one single cast was not on either of their agendas. Perhaps minions, but the entire line? She offered a metaphorical pat on the back. She wasn't the fabled fisherwoman for nothing. She kicked her legs forward, using the momentum to push off the ground. Untamed locks of azure framed her visage, the winds turbulent in light of the waves she'd stirred.

A glance at her comrade left her blanching at Raidou's sheer prowess. He was a force to be reckoned with, typically reserved to some extent, albeit he'd went full throttle against the mobs instead. "Hey now!" the woman quipped. "Don't go stealin' all the thunder." She vaulted off the dock with her glaive and sought purchase on the sand. There was little time to gather bearings once the fish had snapped. They were clever little things, luring the duo closer to the waves. Element against element, they trailed precarious ground.

She left the small fry to her leader and diverted her attention to the sore thumb, the overgrown fish stirring waves. Haine leapt onto the dock and provoked the fish to swim inland. Once in range, she catapulted herself onto the back of the opponent. A firm stab was the only thing keeping her dry, her frame flopping like a ragdoll as the Lurker thrashed. "EEK!" Soft eyes glanced at the waves before. "No, I don't want wet socks--" She ate her words as her body crashed into the waves. The bluenette sputtered through distastefully salty water.

"Wow, Kil? That's badass." A soft smile molded her lips. The man elaborated on MMO classes, all which went out the other ear. She perked a brow, puzzled. "Uhh, what's an AoE?" She scratched her head, attempting to make sense of all the information.  "I chose a two-handed sword because it looked nice, but now I'm not so sure If I can even carry it." She realized the awkwardness of the situation, placed in a populace well versed with MMO gaming. She, on the other hand, had interests which aligned elsewhere. Most of her free time comprised of music, running amok town, and watching television. She found that she was a shit shot with guns and tact, preferring to button mash, balls to the wall. How well would that fair here?

The pinkette twiddled her thumbs. "Uhm, actually... I don't really game. I got this game as a present." She cleared her throat. "I'm clueless now, but I think everyone else is on the first day. I just need to find a party."

Fortunately for the bluenette, time was of the essence and it saved her from the uncomfortable pleasantries at the dining table. With a pep in her step, she greeted some fresh air out the door. The travel was brief and one filled with silence nonetheless. She zoned out on Aincrad's fine scenery to keep busy.

They intercepted a man in brilliant red garb, none other than Raidou. Haine spared a nod at her captain and Miraak. The premise of the quest seemed interesting, rich in lore unlike some others that were so painfully tedious. Find this random mob out of context, kill that, rinse and repeat. Something about priests, otherworldly entities, and russian roulette piqued her fancy.

The battle begun with an onslaught of ghastly pale figures, Diseased Ones, aptly named. She assessed the battlefield. Small fries, inconsequential with the prowess she assumed the group had. Tip of the woman's glaive glowed cyan as she powered it up. With one wide swoop, she sliced clean through the center of action.

The town, as it turned out, was a fishing paradise. A city placed precariously over a body of water, stilts and wood holding it up. It reminded her of a nomadic village. She forwent her bulky garb in favor of something more breathable. She was not fond of fish water splashing on her coat which seemed to catch on everything. With a few swipes, Haine donned her garb sans the bulky coat. She didn't need the warmth nor the cosmetic flair for the task she would take on. As she rounded the corner to the bazaar, she noted the soft cub at her heels going berserk. It was ingrained in him. The scent of fresh marine life drove the polar bear to barge onto an unsuspecting vendor's cart and snatch a fish clean off the top. With a jubilant squeak, he devoured it like a monster. Haine scrunched her nose at the mess of bones and flesh made on the floor. Thankfully, she did not need to pick it up. The system had its own form of clean-up, the remnants crystalized away. She paid the stone faced NPC for the one fish stolen, plus another one for the road. Perhaps Pingu would appreciate a surprise.

Her detour corrected to the path by the main crystal. Wooden docks transitioned into solid ground. She stood at the rendezvous point, cozy in the shade with her beloved cub. A moment later, her favorite silver-haired man arrived. Pingu, ever faithful, waddled to remain in stride. She stuck her beak on Mishka's fur, inhaling the scent of fresh fish. As if she knew, she moved to Haine and nipped at her leg. "Y-Ouch!" the woman bit out, moving away. It took a moment to connect the dots. "Ahh, I see. I knew you'd be jealous, you." Haine chortled and tossed the second fish to the bird. She trilled back and moved behind Kiluia for safe guard, lest the bear try to steal her fish.

Haine rolled her eyes.

"Kids."

"Thank you sir!" the girl beamed, pink ponytail bouncing along with her perky movement. She felt rather embarrassed to be asking help for something, that as it appeared, was a no-brainer. Oh well... at least she could see his handsome face up close. She pulled up her HUD and pointed at the green dots as he moved. The UI, like the rest of this artificial world, was crisp. She had fun button mashing through her settings in the town square just prior. She was not the savviest gamer, though fortunately she could find aid in a nice person or two. Hopefully a good amount of these players weren't colossal assholes.

In the short time she'd been there, she witnessed a few beta testers flexing and imposing upon the newcomers.

"Let's get going."

Doe-like eyes moved to the young man and his kind offer. "Yes, let's!" she chimed in, with a pump of her fist. As they walked, so many questions came to mind, namely of the other. "S- wait, what's your name?" She scratched her head for a moment. "If we're gonna be buds, I'll go first. The name's Haine!" She didn't consider that maybe their interaction would be cut once she found Ruri. He was a kind fellow by the looks of it. He'd stick around, right? "I'm trying to figure out this thing called a build... what is that?" She scrolled through her inventory and pointed at a single straight sword. "I just wanna beat stuff up real good."

The two sisters sat crisscross applesauce from each other on the bed. A mess was made of instructional manuals, a last minute endeavor to install their Nervegear. Screws twisted taut and wires plugged, the console rested. All which remained was the moment of truth, a revelation from the other side. Golden eyes mirrored each other's intensity as they eyed the peculiar headset. The younger picked at her nerve patches. "It looks kinda wack... Like an electrocution-" The older interrupted swiftly.

"Yep, that should be the last of it!"

The sisters exchanged a gleeful gaze and held their headsets. A moment of silence lingered, though not for long as Alice moved to her bed. The other paced to her corner of the room and secured her gear.

"Alright. On the count of three..."

The bluenette tentatively slid the nervegear on her head. A strange, bulky visor with probe patches all over her frame felt like a nod towards the matrix. She exchanged a knowing glance with the other, who was securing the helmet over her head in tandem. Two pairs of eyes fluttered shut. In unison, their systems whirred and the rest was history.

"Link start!"

The teenager's vision faded to black, before an unceremonious light blinded her eyes. She seized the moment to remold herself in an ideal image. Currently? A tall, busty woman with bright pink locks and and ice blue eyes. She whistled into her reflection and skimmed over the rest of the tedious stats. She was in a rush to see the world for itself firsthand.

Ice blue eyes fluttered opened, a glaring ray of sunlight bouncing off her vision. Alice, now under the moniker Haine, rubbed her eyes. Her vision evened out, revealing a rich scenery that tricked her eyes. She could hardly believe the paradise in front of her. The sky was a soft shade of blue, puffy clouds likes streaks across a canvas. The wind blew, and along with it, a lovely scent of lavender followed. She glanced down at her soles to find a field teeming with lavender. In an ecstatic frenzy, she ran her fingers across her smooth skin. All five senses seemed as keen as they were in reality. It was uncanny.

A sense of euphoria washed over Haine. Throwing all caution to the wind, she explored at her leisure. A medieval settlement provided the population's structure, an earshot from the open plain. She spent most of her day running amok like a lost child with no desire to be found. With an ample amount of cash, she sunk it all into pastries and trinkets to appease her curiosity. The gluttonous girl gorged on a strudel, eyes rolled back as she savored the flavor. Everything down to the taste and texture, a fever dream in a nutshell.

Oh shit.

Haine choked on a piece of strudel as she recalled her promise to meet her sister here immediately. Haine pulled up her menu to tag "Ruri", her sister's chosen moniker.

Quote

gonna kick boar ass. idk how to find you so find me
Haine

The pinkette crossed a window of a smithy's and whistled at her reflection in the glass. "Look at those sweater puppies," she gushed, out loud to herself. Smooth fingertips glided her jaw. She looked amongst the crowd and noticed an uncanny perfection in every player. Perfect figures and faces, it was a bonafide MMO come to life.

Quote

where the hell are you?
R

A ding on her HUD summoned her attention to the outskirts of the field. Her little sister, as demanding as ever, requested her presence at once. Who was she to deny her sister some company on this overwhelming adventure? She exited the safe zone and stretched her arms out, letting the wind catch on her. A gentle breeze brushed against her skin, like a soothing comforter. To her right she noticed a man with silver hair standing there. Doing nothing. A perfect candidate to pester. She whistled from afar in admiration. Maybe it was just his avatar, but he was in all honesty a piece of art. Ice blue eyes roved over his chiseled physique, caught red-handed. A bright flush painted the bashful teenager's cheeks.

So much for a great first impression.

Haine cleared her throat and took control of the situation. She stepped forward and pulled out her HUD. "U-Uuh, I'm lost. Can you help me find my sister?" She pointed at the green dot on her map. "Iunno how to track coordinates."

She hummed in acknowledgement of the other's commentary. "If it's not soft and cuddle material, I don't want em'." She buried her face into the cub's soft fur for a moment, holding him against his will as he squirmed. He was antsy among the stimulation, with all these unfamiliar scents and beings in proximity. She shook her head and set him down as he demanded. 

Soft eyes rested on the two birds as she heeded their story. It was unlike anything she'd heard of. "Niice. Like a pseudo shapeshifter!" It was more of a jest in good fun, but she explored the possibility in her mind. The bird's eyes were an intense screen of obsidian, all but staring into her soul. Her attention shifted between both, unsure of which one to focus on.

Cordelia. Haine was pleased to have a name to match to the other's face. With lavender eyes and soft blonde locks, she seemed reminiscent of a Disney Princess, but badass. "It's nice to meet ya Cordelia. I'm Haine." A hint of bashfulness seeped into her demeanor, to which she willed away. Always the extrovert, even when first impressions weren't her strongest suit. She eyed the pastry in Cordelia's hand. "Ooh, is that a cinnamon roll? Please tell me there's a bakery here somewhere. I could really use the cheer-up."

The cub, unabashed, bopped his head at the woman's heel, demanding attention. In tow followed the petite bluenette. Short limbs struggled to match pace with those of a nimble cub. She sprinted down the path, slipping between clusters of people before she halted in front of the fair haired lady. She panted, palms propped against her knees to regain her breath. After a moment, soft brown eyes traveled up to the other. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry." She scooped the cub into her arms and planted a noogie on his soft forehead. The cub squeaked in protest. She noted the piece of food in the passerby's hands and tilted her head in realization. "Ah, I know why he attacked ya." She snorted lightly. "This fellah loves to eat."

Haine's attention shifted to the avians perched on the stranger's shoulders. She cooed lightly and gazed at them in fascination. "Aww, you got two of em'? They're precious." The cub, in proximity to the lady's shoulders, leaned over to attempt a sniff at those foreign feather looking blobs. 

"Maybe it's-- no it makes no sense!"

A disgruntled sigh escaped the bluenette. Wild, untamed locks whipped around with her as she scanned the populace. Was she conned yet again? Haine pressed her hands against her hips, an impending realization that maybe intel wasn't an appropriate suit for her. Leave it to Raidou to orchestrate plans and piece together stuff with his big brains. She was to rendezvous with an info broker around this time near the outskirts of the bazaar, albeit, much to her chagrin, there was nobody there. She was beginning to think the sod flaked off with her money. Oh well, there was a lot more where that came from, but she was still bitter nonetheless.

The soft cub, ever faithful in stride, had grown dizzy keeping up with his owner. Sharp teeth nipped at her heels, seeking attention. "What'd'ya want?" Haine droned. The polar bear pounced at the leg of a vending cart, steamed goods lining trays. Her mouth watered for a moment and truly, she almost caved in. Duty called, however. "Ehh, maybe later. Let's get some business outta the way first, yeah?" She gestured for the cub to follow, though stubborn as he was, he'd latched onto the cart. A slight flush formed atop her cheeks as a few players stopped by to witness. "C'mon Meesh, you're making a scene...-" She uttered through gritted teeth. With a scoop around his small, she hoisted the fluff ball into her arms.

He wiggled in protest all the way down the road. From the corner of his periphery, he noted a woman with long, blonde hair, food in hand. He didn't care what she was holding, he was starving. Soft hind legs kicked against his owner's chest as he bounded at the woman. Akin to a puppy, the cub nipped at the woman's foot and composed the sweetest doe-eyed expression.

"Yeeah..." she trailed off, wondering if she should push it further and inquire about the nitty gritty. Nowadays it was hard to decipher his thoughts from just expression, much left to Haine to draw her own conclusions. The topic shifted onto her and she paused. A game had been made on her end to keep the engagement hush, only a ring on her finger an indication of news. She waited to see who would point it out. A bright beam formed on her visage. "Ah, it's wonderful." A slight tinge brushed her cheeks. She could hardly come to terms with recent events. It seemed too good to be true, a part of her felt skeptical with this sudden rush of luck and happiness.

The blue haired woman noted her melting ice cream and panicked. "How long were we sittin?" She kicked off the bench and flung the mess of ice cream off her hand. "C'mon bro. We'll walk and talk, yeah?" Mishka followed in stride, up to the man's hut for the fishing rod down the road. A detour to the fishing spot and she was ready for the haul. Haine cracked her knuckles and manifested the rod. "Now, I'll have you know that I'm a seasoned fisher." The corner of her lip curled into a smirk. "Moretsuna? Already caught em'." She cast her lure and waited a moment. Instantaneously, gravity worked against her petite form. Only under a miraculous feat of strength and a bit of luck did she lure out the massive Lurker. It was a package deal, the other spawn washed ashore along with it.

What agenda brought such urgency in the middle of the night? The bluenette, albeit cranky from being disrupted from her slumber, slid out of bed. Her love stepped in to alert her of the exact agenda, a quest which would reap immense benefit. She nudged the cub at the foot of her bed awake. Strands of soft white hair flew about as the animal shook its frame. With that, she'd rallied the group to leave. She passed down the corridor to find a small ravenette crashed on the bed, with the lights still on. A new painting graced the canvas, watercolors strewn about the floor from her previous experiment. Haine smiled softly and switched the lights off.

"Night, Asmura."

With a few errands, they were off to the Stygian shores. A thicket blanket of fog traveled an eerie, starless sky. A chilly draft lingered, the wind howling akin to a scene from a horror film. She hooked her arms around Kiluia, more of an endearing gesture than much else. "I hate this place at night! Something's stalkin' us, I can feel it." She heeded only little of the man's words as her mind wandered elsewhere. "Hey, if a ghost tries to kill me, you'd step in front, would ya?" she jested, shooting him a doe-eyed look. She did not seem to spare Freyd of the PDA, just a shot down the path ahead of them. She giggled and squeezed Kiluia tighter. "Choose wisely, love."

She could hear an echo of the words Freyd shot over his shoulder once they'd reached the fourth captain. "Um, are not!" She protested, with a balled fist. Another draft of air sent a shiver up her frame. She pulled her cloak snug around her and flipped on the hood. She quickened her pace, approaching the figure revealed as Raidou. "Y'know it's serious when bossman calls us here in the buttcrack of midnight."

Though quiet for the most part, the woman absorbed all relevant information. She'd heard of the notorious FTK before, the quest an unspoken badge of prowess for those who could best it, even more solo. If their current agenda was a fraction as comparable, it piqued her wariness. She nodded along at appropriate times, waiting for a moment to speak, albeit the words wouldn't form on her tongue. She moved to take a sip of her tea and stopped midway, heeding Raidou's absence from the table. With a resounding click, the door closed shut, leaving the woman among two unfamiliar faces. She cleared her throat and set the cup down.

Fortunately, an ice breaker had saved the moment. Soft brown eyes flickered to the ravenette. "That'll be me, yes." She mustered a soft smile and urged herself on. "We have several divisions, actually. It's a necessity with how fast the guild grows." Self-aware, she hoped to make a decent impression for her lack of input prior. "Assault, Vanguard, O&I, and Provisions." She continued on, brushing stray strands away from her eyes. "I have a maxed two-handed assault spear. I can wipe em' out no problem." She glanced among the two and moved her attention to Oscar. "So, a game of russian roulette! This'll be exciting."

"I'm counting on it." Her appetite was quenched from the grand eatery at noon. She did not wish for more, so instead she removed a flask of water to drink. "Oh yeah? That'll be great. Maybe we can throw a shindig between us," she jested, with a heart laugh. She twisted the cap off the flask and took a swig.

The mention of the engagement brought a light to her eyes. The event had been fresh at mind, suspending her on cloud nine. Her expression turned bashful as she glanced down at her lap, towards the ornate ring on her finger. "Ahh, not yet, I don't think I'll be able to pick just one. I might need some help." She brushed her bangs back and turned to Elora. "Kiluia," she added, softly. "Everything came as a surprise, but I'm happy with where it's goin.'" She drummed her fingertips on her thighs.

Their fishing spree had proven fruitful yet again. The bluenette was a keen angler, perhaps by a stroke of luck. Her favorite method of grinding had evolved into a skill in its own right, one of trained perception and timing. There was more that what met the eye when it came to the art, from everything to timing and sheer strength. She started with humble minnows and worked her way up to the top, her prized catch none other than the great Halibut. She'd taken a picture to commemorate the moment. Sometimes she wondered if her herculean strength was an extension of her skill or true abilities.

The woman gathered her belongings and set forth for the rendezvous point. A wide, open glade with a lake lied her next objective. She moved with haste lest she let the other grow irritable with impatience. She crushed a teleport crystal for the twenty-second floor.

She bid them ado and crushed a teleport crystal for the wintry wonderland she knew and loved. A timer had went off for a quest reminder. Drat! She was beyond late. She hoped her guild mates wouldn't chew her ear out for being just over fifteen minutes late. The urgency of an SOS had triggered her to drop all else in favor of protecting the duo. She came to observe them in battle, and for the most part, the two were decent fights in their own right. Their power would naturally amplify with practice and patience. The main issue with today's quest was mere tedium. 

As soon as she entered the wintry settlement, the frosty winds nipped at her skin. As she breathed out, she felt her skin turning rosy. The woman quickly perused her inventory in search of some warmth, be it through a scarf or an extra coat to go on top.

THREAD COMPLETE

Valentine - 5 SP (2 quest, 2 page, 1 bonus), safeguard potion, 2 t1 mats, (2) uncommon consumables, 450 COL, 1 T1 Light Armor

Hael - 5 SP (2 quest, 2 page, 1 bonus), safeguard potion, 1 T1 Light Armor, 400 COL

Haine - 3 SP (2 quest, 2 page, 1 bonus)

Haine reluctantly accepted the cone, an awkward smile on her face. She'd only meant to jest, but she was used to the man's literal interpretations. It was not the first time he'd misconstrued her jests, nor the last. Oh well, more cones for her, she supposed. It must have been dreadful taking the fun out of an ice cream cone. A sad, inedible plastic shell was a poor excuse for a cone. She would spare him the extra scrutiny this time.

She patted the bench, and the cub jumped up to claim his spot beside her. The topic was of light interest to her compared to another thing which came to mind. As per her nosy nature, she just had to press the question. "So, how'd Tanabata go with Eruda? I picked out her Yukata. I think purple's her best color." She gushed in her head. Come to think of it, she'd never directly mentioned the woman in conversation him.

The two women had formed a sort of camaraderie over the past few months. It was a pleasant and welcome addition to her life to have a friend like her. Faces had came and left throughout the spotty memory of her time here. Ever since the events of her return, she'd lost touch with many faces, those of whom she held dear. Her mind wandered to a particular blonde haired girl, with spunk that could outrival even the bluenette's. Falling out with Elyth had brought a great source of pain and a bitter sense of nostalgia - however she could feel that the minor void being filled once she'd gotten closer to her comrade. It was nice to have someone to call for spontaneous plans, to bond over more than the blade.

She slipped the bobby pin from her neatly braided hair, long, flowing bangs cascading over her eyes like a curtain. She worked at the lock, sliding the pin into the groove. After a moment of wrestling, a resounding click signaled success. The chest flew open, tipping over. Its dusty contents spilled onto the plush grass. "Ooh, lookie what we got here." She held the loot up in the air, poking and prodding to see if there was anything worth of value. As expected of something on the lower floors, it was just a neatly packed parcel of uncommon oddities and a sliver of cash. She shrugged her shoulders. Oh well, it was worth a try if anything.

She noticed the two others approaching. "Oh, you're all done already? My apologies." She dusted her hands and stood up on her feet. "I haven't seen you recruits before, so I'll introduce myself. Haine, assault captain." She searched among the duo. "You might have started off on a wrong foot, but you pulled through. Good job, team. Don't be afraid to reach out like you did, we are like family." She smiled softly. 

She had wandered off at the sight of something glimmering close by in the field. She was in range of the others, however a simple section of shrubbery had concealed her from view. From all the grinds she'd been on with Kiluia, Haine was astute when it came to treasure. Part of the grinding tag team, the repetition of the grind was ingrained in her brain. She equipped a shovel carved specifically for treasure by Griswold, and dug up a shallow, small box. The compact shape was not to be underestimated. Sometimes a real gem could be concealed within. She hummed a chipper tune, working away at the lock. She was oblivious to how quickly the battle had resolved after she set forth for the treasure. 

The key she needed was missing, much to her dismay. It was a lesser chest, however, so a simple pin removed from her hair was enough to do the trick.

ID: 171869 / LD: 20 [ treasure located ]

Haine squinted at the nametag of a particular blonde haired woman. Lessa, the name sounded awful familiar from her talks with Kiluia. She would have to chat with with her after she secured her sustenance. For now, she passed the woman a soft smile once their eyes met.

The raven haired woman approached her, with arms full of potions. "It's nice to see you, Zandra. I'm Haine." She caught the potion and exchanged a quick thank you. "Uhh, I'm not gonna-" She swallowed her words and chuckled nervously. She opted to attach the potion to her utility belt. "Ah, since I ran into you here, lemme return this! I couldn't keep such a rare item." Haine screened her inventory for a Unicorn Horn and sent it over to her. "Thanks a bunch, by the way." She exchanged the wave to those she knew.

A beeline for the cart sealed her plans for the day. Now, she didn't come here for a dungeon run, but she wasn't one to refuse good food. "Ahh, for real?" She folded her arms and thought aloud. "Well... I'm all for a spontaneous plan." Without a moment of hesitance she reached over for the bowls. "You've got me sold, bud. I'm in." She held the plates up to her and inhaled the aroma. Talk no more, her only agenda was to chow down. She scarfed at her plate with the speed of a seasoned foodie. Looking at her menu, she noticed her stats crawl up. Buffs for the raid, and a whole lotta them too. This dungeon, as she feared, was going to be one hell of a ride. She picked the bottle off her belt and washed the food down.

She heeded a man's tactic for battle. After a momentary pause, she introduced herself to the one named Are. A moment later, She turned to the one she assumed party leader, Oscar. "DPS at your service. Toss me a plan and I'll follow the lead."

She led the other up to a body of water, a hot springs nestled in the heart of the outskirts. The water was warm, however the soothing kind, like a cozy comforter. She equipped lighter clothing to wade in the waves. She paused a moment in his embrace, turning around to face him. Arms slinked around his shoulders. "Hmm, just thinking about the future. It's exciting." She pulled away, seizing his hand to lead him into the water. "I think Asmura would love the beach. We should take here sometime." She smiled softly. "She needs to have a little fun, too. Find a balance between the quests and, y'know, being a kid?"

She advanced into the warm waves, letting them crash against her skin. She sighed in content. The familiars approached the little pool, sniffing to see what it was all about. The vapors off the top taught them numerous times to check before diving into uncharted territory. Tentative fins and paws checked before they dived in to be among their owners.

THREAD COMPLETE

Haine - 4 SP (2 quest, 1 page, 1 bonus), 3,200 COL, Mōretsuna Statue

Kiluia - 4 SP (2 quest, 1 page, 1 bonus), 3,200 COL, Mōretsuna Statue