Grave

I chuckled at the boy's response to my rambling about armour. "Mitigation is just another word for defense. The higher your mitigation, the less damage you will take, no different to other RPGs." I clarified with an honest smile. He asked about a guidebook and I had to scratch my chin. "I am not entirely sure... I sort of winged it when I started and learned the ropes alone. You might be able to find one if you hunt around." I explained with a simper. "The beta testers probably compiled some kind of guide for the new players but I never heard anything so you will have to check that theory out yourself." I told the snowy haired player, scratching the back of my head. "If not... maybe some of the frontliners can get something together. And if even they cannot, I would be willing to write something up for the players to make use of. It is only fair they receive the same knowledge that we have gathered over time." I offered with a wide smile, before turning to look off over the fields. "Being a kind of Aincrad Journalist sounds nice," I pondered, scratching my chin once more, "exploring the farthest reaches of the castle with nothing by the armour on my back and a notebook, detailing my adventures and the landscapes I stumble across." I sighed with a soft smile. "I might just do that some day. For now though, I need to work on getting to the frontlines," I finished mumbling to myself and turned back to the other player.

Welcome to the site! I promise most of us will treat you with very good care here :3 I've just come back from some sporadic activity so if you want a roleplay partner hit me up!

I smirked and chuckled at Anemone's compliment. "I guess she is. I am pretty damn lucky too; she was such a bitch at first, but she had her reasons. She lived a... pretty terrible life and pushed people away. I managed to crack her and gain access to her more tender and romantic self." I explained, staring at the grass below as I reminisced on our various meeting before I had confessed to her. I reached out and very gently brushed the back of my hand against Anemone's shoulder. "I think guys would be pretty lucky to have you too. You are really sweet and deserve someone caring." I complimented her with a soft smile

I smiled up through the shadows as I helped Anemone down into the hole, releasing her hand when she seemed stable enough. "Do not mention it. Only polite to help a lady." I responded and winked playfully, before turning and peering into the darkness. "Well, here is hoping there is some form of lighting down here..." I groaned and crept forward, beckoning Anemone along behind me. I constantly flicked my gaze between Anemone and the dense shadows that only grew thicker the further we descended down the staircase. Finally my feet hit a flat landing of stone, and I rested my back against the wall, reaching out to grasp onto Anemone's uniform; the shadows were so thick I could barely see her. "Stay close." I commanded gruffly, my manner now serious as the darkness threatened to send unknown dangers toward us. Releasing the piece of clothing I had grabbed I led on, following the wall to my right with the healer behind me.

My hand wrapped around something hard and cold. Whoomf. A cold blue light ate away the blackness, illuminating the corridor before us. My eyes flicked to the object I had laid my hands on; a blue torch, burning softly, supplying only enough light for us to see five steps away from our current position. There was a spot of shadow between our torch and the next one. "Well, it is better than nothing, right?" I turned to ask Anemone with a sheepish grin, before soldiering further into the hallway.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, sir," I responded with an acidic tone and reached behind me to hold the bear up on my back and avoid getting a set of baby claw marks down my back. "Alright, furball, let us go," I sighed and turned to shoot Mack a dirty look as if to say 'this is your fault'. We strode through the town of Snowfrost towards the teleport gate, both of Mack's possessions slung across our backs, the one upon coat being quite a nuisance with that cold nose of his. I picked up the pace so I could just get this over with, stepping briskly onto the platform with Mack in tow and calling the teleport command. A moment later we were swamped in sparkling blue light, the system whisking us a floor downwards in the castle.

When the azure haze dissipated the town of Delilah surrounded us, busy as always. Grumbling to myself about the lazy hunk of muscle on my back I led us towards the figurative center of the city where my small, cylindrical shop sat in a clearing. "Welcome to my humble abode," I sighed monotonously as I shouldered the door open, beckoning Mack inside. I set Chewie down on one of the stools in front of the counter and headed to the kitchen in the back, shucking my coat off and wrapping myself in a white apron. "What would my guest like?"

"Ahh, right, right." I acknowledged with a nod. "I just wanted a companion, stats or not. It gets lonely out in the field when you are solo farming, you know?" I told her in response with a wide smile. "But I hope you find what you are looking for." I gave Yuurei a thumbs up and an even wider grin. I watched as a bag of coins slumped into her hand from her inventory, and I very carefully took it from her, tapping on the bag to check the contents; 230 Col, perfect. "Thank you very much, Yuurei." I thanked her softly and slipped the bag into my own inventory. "Please do, I intend to get my business up and running again soon." I informed her as I pushed the bowl into her hands. "And good luck again with the familiar quest. I hope you find a familiar you enjoy."

-1 Heartrock Salad
+230 Col

@Yuurei I nodded to the white haired girl in understand. "Ahh, right. I was lucky and got this little bugger first try," I jerked my thumb at the weasel behind me, lazing about on the cold stove. "Stat-wise she is useless, but she makes for some spontaneous company." I snickered and reached around towards her, beckoning for her to crawl onto my arm. Swinging back around, I set Hikari down on the counter for Yuurei to take a look at. "But I definitely have something for you that is well and truly within your budget." I tapped the glass case and navigated through the list of food items stored within, tapping on the Heartrock Salad and materializing it on the counter. "Heartrock Salad, two slots of vitamins which gives a nice luck boost. Only 230 Col or two materials. I should really up my prices but eh, means I do not drive my customers away, right?" I chuckled at my own joke and pushed the bowl to the edge of the counter.

@Piera I snickered at Piera's joke. "No, she knows I prefer smaller girls." I jested with a teasing wink and stuck my tongue out. "Hah, I win." I retorted when Piera surrendered to my offer of a meal on the house for an old friend. "I am stubborn, you will learn this, hun." I told her matter-of-factly. "Mm... I will certainly take that under consideration. Hikari can be my guinea pig - er, guinea weasel?" I sharply turned to look at Hikari who seemed quite amused by my comment. I watched the girl attempt to feed the wyvern meat to her owl, receiving a quite aggressive response. I took the skewer away and laughed out loud heartily. "O-okay then! Let us see what else I have..." I dropped the skewer back into the case and fished around, peeking back over the top to respond to Piera's question. "No, Hikari does not eat much, but when she does she really does not care what she eats as long as it is food." I grunted, before fishing out a different dish. "Maybe he likes Killer Mantis meat? See what he does with this Mantis Skewer." I handed yet another stick meal to Piera for her owl to try. "If not, maybe he'll prefer something more vegetarian."

A young white-haired player entered my store, looking around for one 'Grave'. With a cheeky grin, I whirled around behind the counter and leaned on the glass case, peering at my customer. "Grave is not in today sorry. I am just here because I can be." I jested, before shaking my head at myself. "I am Grave, the owner of this store. What could I help you with, my friend?" I asked with a warm, friendly smile. "I have all my crafts in this glass case here if there is anything you fancy, or I can do a custom order for you, pick your poison." I offered, wiping a hand across the glass surface.

(Sir, yes sir)

I glanced away in shame. I was trying to be nice and complimenting but noooooo, Husky went out of his way to be modest and shut down my compliment by saying he got very few customers. Thanks mate. "Mm, the Forest is not exactly every player's ideal holiday location, you know," I teased with a grin. "Yes, I guess that would be a perk of living here. Really secluded. No bustling city to surround you like my shop has." I groaned, seating my elbow against the table and lowering my chin into my waiting palm.

With a grateful smile I took the sake cup and nodded my thanks, tipping the cup to my lips and taking a sip. It was strong, probably some of the strongest liquor I had ever tasted. But it had a certain... sweetness, I guess you could call it. I let the taste linger on my tongue for a moment, before swallowing it. "Hm? Of course I am old enough to drink, who do you take me for?" I jested in return with a chuckle, before knocking back another mouthful of the strong sake, then one more and the cup was empty. "There enough for seconds?" I asked with a wide grin.

---

THREAD REWARDS

Grave: 4 SP, 200 Col, <<Tiger Rage>>
Husky: 4 SP, 200 Col, <<Tiger Rage>>

I turned my head at the sudden and unexpected question from Anemone. "Mm? Yeah, it is a quest. There is said to be a special necklace within that changed form every time someone gets it... I want to get it  as a gift for my girlfriend so she can keep a part of me with her at all times," I explained with a relaxed sigh. "I will be heading up to the front lines at some point, so I need her to always have something on her that connects us," I clarified, before clearing my throat subtly. "But I have no intention of leaving her all on her lonesome down below," I added sheepishly with an awkward grin, hoping my explanation did not go misinterpreted. I began leaning forward to try and see further into the fog, although I expected my efforts to bear no fruit. "Yeah, it is. Hopefully we should be in the clear soon enough..." I added hopefully.

Finally the fog began to thin once more and we stepped into a small, circular clearing, in the middle of which was a large stone platform. "Well... I assume this is it?" I asked myself and strode casually towards the slab in the earth; there was a trapezoidal hole in the slab, which I assumed was the handle. Reaching down, I wrapped my fingers around the handle and pulled up, groaning in sync with the trapdoor as I heaved it from the earth, revealing a black and dark stairway, from which wind-produced echoes escaped. "Well, here goes..." I sighed to myself and slid down into the hole, the first step quite a distance from the surface. I reached a hand up towards Anemone to see if she wanted my assistance in getting down. "Let us just hope this trapdoor does not close on us, hey?" I teased and stuck my tongue out playfully.

I nodded politely and smiled softly. "That is fine by me. It was less a need for extra hands and more just someone to keep me sane... someone more human," I scratched around Hikari's horn to accent my point. "Oh no, you do not have to waste your efforts on repaying me. I appreciate the offer, but I think your material gathering efforts should be utilized for someone more in need than myself," I politely declined Anemone's offer with a wave of my hand and shake of my head. "Your healing may come in handy, depending on how powerful the minotaurs guarding the quest reward are," I added with a smile. I had yet to find out how much damage they could really do to me, and whether there were more monsters than just them hiding in the labyrinth. "Well, allow me to be your tour guide. I guess you could say I live here on the third floor, so I know the area quite well," I informed the healer. "Please do, make sure you patch me up, okay?" I asked her with a teasing wink and began striding off, beckoning Anemone to my side as we left the city.

---

The two - wait, three, Hikari was with us too - of us stood just outside the perimeter of the Forest, its aptly named 'wavering mist' reaching out towards us like hungry tendrils. "I will not blame you for holding my hand if you are scared," I taunted her playfully before taking my first few steps into the forest, the white fog engulfing me as I beckoned Anemone once more. The mist made it difficult to see where trees were, so my arms had to flail around before me to check for hidden dangers. Once or twice I almost happened to crash into a tree or log, narrowly avoiding the obstacles, and the whole way I was checking behind me to make sure Anemone was still close and I had not accidentally left her behind.

I was whistling casually to myself as I strode along the streets of Delilah, Hikari bobbing upon my shoulder like some kind of furry parrot. A small figure blocked my way, and I began to sidestep around them, before realizing they had deliberately stopped me in my tracks. "Hm?" I asked the girl before me with a raised eyebrow, with hair a mixture of white and red and matching apparel. "Would you like something?" I asked, before she said my name, and I recoiled, taken aback momentarily. "H-how...?" I choked, before looking back over the colours that adorned her. She must have been a KoB recruit... I had been out of touch for so long.

"Oh, it is nice to meet you too, Anemone," I responded with a wide grin, taking her hand in mine and shaking it. "I apologize for my awkward demeanor, you knowing my name caught me off-guard. I have been so out of touch with the guild, I did not even know we had recruited you, I am sorry," I apologized and rubbed the heel of my right hand against my forehead, shunning myself for acting so weird.  "Well, yes I am. I recently received a notice for a low-level quest that I never took and decided to go out and finally deal with it. Mainly for the reward..." I explained, before trailing off and pondering silently. "Of course you can accompany me! I was just heading out to find someone to come with anyway, so it would be a pleasure to have you along," I accepted her suggestion with a courteous bow.

A sharp jolt struck my ear and I turned to face Hikari. "Oh right, I forgot to introduce Hikari, my little magic weasel," I pulled Hikari from my shoulder and held her out for Anemone to take a close look. "She helps me with my cooking every now and then, and sometimes accompanies me on my adventures. Apart from that.. she has no statistical use." I tactfully selected my words, and the weasel turned in my grasp to gaze at me threateningly. I slung the orange furball around my neck, letting her lazily dangle upon my chest. "Shall we head out? Hope you are not easily spooked, the quest takes place somewhere in the Forest of Wavering Mist."

I rapped my nails against the wooden counter, Hikari squeaking in interest at my ear. This was interesting, and reminded me of an age-old myth... Theseus and the Minotaur. The sheet I gazed upon told of the <<Search for the Hoya>> quest. The 'Hoya' was a magical necklace that changed form depending on the person who retrieved it, guarded within a maze hidden in the Forest of Wavering Mist by a pair of fierce minotaurs. How powerful these minotaurs were I had no idea... but I wanted that necklace. I wanted it for a gift to Jevi, and I was going to get it even if it cost me an arm and a leg. "Alright... guess I will take this on, hey, Hik?" I asked the weasel, and she simply squeaked her indifference. "Hey, you are supposed to care whether I get hurt or not, you ratbag," I cursed the animal and rubbed my knuckles against her skull, just in front of her single spiral horn. "Wanna come with me? I could do with some company... not that you will be much help," I offered the weasel, and she nipped my earlobe in annoyance. "Hey, okay, okay, you can try and help!" I exclaimed while chuckling at the creature's antics. "I should probably find someone else to back me up too..." I mused as I wrapped my coat around my body, the chains rattling as I clipped them at the front. I reached for the doorhandle and turned it, easing the door open...

Taking this with @Anemone

I chuckled. "Makes sense, you do not seem like most of the Japanese players. I knew something was different about you," I responded with a wide, cheeky grin. "I am actually originally from England, but my body would currently be in a hospital in Japan. I moved to Japan for a few years and Dived with some friends I was lodging with over there..." I informed her, before chuckling awkwardly. "God, I am so screwed, I have definitely overstayed. Wonder how big my fine is going to be," I jested with a more hearty laugh. I stroked her hair as her mood lowered from what appeared to be a triggered memory, but she quickly perked up at my mention of the beach. "That is great! Makes it much easier for us. That is one thing on our bucket list already," I told her with a wink. I hastily followed her to the shore, leaving the glimmering water behind. "Hm? What do you have in mind, my love?" I asked and tilted my head curiously. With just a few button presses, Jevi was dry and fully clothed once more, and I snickered to myself, following suit. My body shimmered once, before it was covered by a long, black coat with a high collar and chains down the front. "Yes, sometimes it is. It does have its perks," I smiled softly, wrapping my arm around Jevi's waist as we headed back to the town.

Phew, this place was eerie. Who would think of setting up shop, or a home even, in the middle of a creepy, mist-flooded forest? I swiped open my menu and peered at the name at the top of my map; The Forest of Wavering Mist, it read. A fittingly spooky name. Before long we stumbled upon a single building in the middle of absolutely nowhere like a nomad who had found refuge in a cemetery. "It does seem quite humble," I confirmed with a nod, peering at the name above the door. Who was Hakkasan? Maybe I would find out soon. "Thank you, good sir," I thanked Husky as he held the door open for me and I wandered inside. "Mm, I do not mind if I do. Nice place, although the location is a bit... unnerving, I must say. But I do not doubt you get a lot of customers, right?" I asked the brewer, standing in the center of the room and peering around.

I nodded somberly. "Yes... those players populate the world. They scamper through Aincrad like rodents... and I would exterminate every one of them if I had no morals. Not to say I do not wish them ill like I would any other ordinary murderer." I spat venomously. "You should start early while you still have the chance. There is only so much mitigation you can get from armour every tier, and while armor skills only give a small amount of mitigation in the early ranks, the later ranks give a lot more. I made the stupid mistake of leaving the armour skills until later... only rank two in heavy armour, and it supplies next to nothing, but it is a stepping stone to more protection." I explained, sighing at my own stupidity. "Start on the armour skill early, it may just save your life later down the track." I advised the snow-haired player. "Because once you get it high enough, you can afford to exchange mitigation slots on your armour for other utilities like regeneration, thorns or recovery." I added to clarify my point.

I strode along the streets of the first floor, a shimmering coin-shaped item flicking between my knuckles as I whistled. I had noticed a series of advertisements asking for a Glittering Snowflake in exchange for 25,000 Col. That was more than double what I already had, and I had no plan to use the Snowflake! So I decided it was a rare chance to take up and headed to the markets. The advertisements eventually pointed towards one player with golden hair, and I smiled. "Looking for this?" I asked the player, holding the Snowflake to the sun, before flicking it to him with my thumb. "You are offering a generous price for the item, I was certainly surprised."

---

Offering: Glittering Snowflake
For: 25,000 Col

My eyes widened in mild surprise, but my expression became relaxed once more, and I ran a hand through her wet hair. "Where do you live? Because the first thing I am doing after I have been rehabilitated when we leave this thing is booking a flight over to you. Then we can see what will go on after that, hey?" I decided, tilting her head back so I could peer down into her eyes, before gently tucking her against my chest again. "I refuse to let this just be something over this game... our feelings are more than just those of our avatars. Heh, I find that funny..." I chuckled lightly. "Most kids' parents tell them to watch out for people online and to stay away from online dating... and here we are doing that exact thing. To think we are so close here and now, but we are so far apart at the same time... I promise to close that gap as soon as possible." I promised her, pulling away, taking her hand and raising it to my lips, kissing the back of it gently.

"So... how you liking the beach?" I asked as we drifted in the water, with me occasionally sweeping an arm out to stop us from floating too far out, just far enough so I could touch the sand. "Tell me when you are ready to head back in." I offered and kissed the top of her head. "You know... we need to go to the beach when we meet. Even if it means traveling halfway across the country. Could be out first journey together." I suggested with a wide, confident grin.

Alright XD Will need to give me a while, won't have computer access again until Sunday arvo

So just cutting and slamming together a couple clips from the anime with some transitions, fancy effects, text and music would be fine? :D

*raises hand* I might be able to help out the intro, depending on what exactly you need done with it

"Yeah, there is only so far you can go with evasion. There is still a chance to get hit, and without good mitigation, any hit you take will take a large chunk out of your health," I agreed with the boy, nodding my head. "And besides, evasion does not scale with the tier of the armour like mitigation does. The latter is obviously the superior at later levels," I stated, remembering when I used to wear light armour and take blows that hit like a freight train. With the Vanishing Dragon most attacks were little more than a tickle. "Yes, the one handed spear... I had a friend who wielded a greatshield and a two-pronged spear that, while it did little damage, paralyzed almost anything it touched. It was best used in a team situation when your partners can capitalize on the paralysis," I reminisced, supplying the player with more ideas as to the direction he could go with his build.

I shook my head and chuckled. "Of course not. I am confident, not stupid. I always go out with a hunting partner by my side. Do not fret," I reassured her with a soft smile. "Last time I went out alone I was stuck dealing with a giant armadillo that would not leave me alone. Not going to let that happen again," I sighed at my own stupidity and shook my head again. "Please, consider it a reunion gift. I have more than enough Col at the moment, missing out on one customer's payment will not make much of a difference," I offered again, folding my arms across my chest defiantly and fixing Piera with a stubborn glare. "Hmm... I am actually not sure, I have never considered food for familiars," I scratched my chin and peered into the glass case, browsing my own wares. I tapped the glass and brought up a menu, selecting one of the meals within and materializing it into my waiting palm. I extended the wooden skewer loaded with heavy meat towards Piera. "Maybe he likes the taste of Wyvern? This bastard was a tough customer, met him up on the seventh floor, almost burned me and my partner to a crisp," I recounted, shrugging my shoulders and wincing at the memory.

@Beatbox Is right :O Well, when I played Ash he was a physical carbon copy of myself XD

"Perhaps." I agreed unsurely but hopefully. "What do you mean... more than one person?" I asked Jonathan and tilted my head. Was there something Itzal had not told me? I banished the thought from my head for the time being as we skidded to a halt close to our quarry. Jonathan unsheathed his weapon and bellowed a fearsome roar, catching the attention of the treants. "Nice, this should be a piece of cake." I smiled confidently and rushed directly towards the King himself. "Take the king out first and everything should be good!" I shouted, my fists glowing violet as I rushed the monster... only to have my path blocked by his bodyguard, who gave me a heavy shove in the opposite direction, negating my Sword Art. "Wha..." I grunted and fell heavily on my rump. "Ouch... seems like we cannot get to him unless we take out the bodyguard..." I groaned and hauled myself back up.