Koumori

Erin smiled and introduced herself to me before standing up and telling me something I wasn't expecting to hear. She broke up with Sausuke? "Wha...why?" I said, confused. What had happened? They were engaged! What horrible thing could have happened? Maybe he died? I stood there with that same confused look as I waited for an explanation. I looked as Manta slowly reached out and squeezed Erins hand as she struggled to find what to say. No...no that can't be it. I stood there in complete silence as Manta introduced her girlfriend to me. She was probably expecting some over the top reaction...and maybe she got it. With a blank look on my face, I looked to Manta before looking over to Erin and back to Manta. Without thinking, I turned around and calmly walked over to a pile of snow. Then I bent down and proceeded to do snow angels. It was probably a sucky snow angel. 

I got even more angry after hearing his pitiful excuse. "Licking the ground?! Who would ever do that?" I yelled at him again. I could tell by his blank expression that he was someone who didn't care about other people. Not in the way that he wished them harm, he was just indifferent. At a time I may have been like that, but I still helped people whenever I could. I started to walk over to him but I stopped when I saw who he turned to look at. It was Manta. What was she doing here? I frowned at her comment and offered a sarcastic answer. "I'll show you entertainin-" but I was cut short when I heard someone call my name. That voice...it sounded familiar and like one I hadn't heard in a long time. I quickly spun around and my eyes widened at what I saw. "Abalasster?" I asked as I saw my friend in the distance. Unfortunately, for me, I turned around too quickly. I didn't have time to see the cart on the ground. That's right, the same one. My foot landed on it and sent me on the ground once again. "Uff" i let out as my but hit the ground. That just wasn't my lucky day.

I stood there with a look of pure confusion as I watched the girl curl up into a ball on the ground and then crawl her way over to Manta's waiting legs. The face palm was real. It was like the girl was a puppy or a cat who had been sprayed with water. I had seen plenty of over the top people in SAO but she was already on her way to taking the cake. I shook off my expression and walked toward the comically untwined girls. As I walked I wondered who she was. For I good while I hung out with Manta a lot of the time, and that wasn't too long ago, yet I had no idea who this person was. They looked pretty close too, closer than two people who had just met. The girl on the ground looked surprised when I mentioned Manta by name and asked how we knew each other. Manta was quick to explain who we were to each other as I continued to look at the girl on the ground. "Yep, we used to hang out all the time but she ditched me for her boyfriend." I walked up even closer and bent down over the girl wrapped around Manta's legs. Her reaction made me feel really bad so I felt like I needed to apologize again. "I really am sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you." I said with a smile and closed eyes. I stayed bent over while I continued. "But nice to meet you Erin"

As I continued my activity I heard some noises coming from behind me. From what I could tell, there were a couple people walking towards me. My suspicion was confirmed when I heard a girl talking to someone. But wait...did she say Manta? Was she talking about the same Manta I knew? The one I hadn't seen in some time? The thought distracted me and my next snowball went wide, pelting the girl in the face. I stood up off the bench and held my hands in the air. "Ah! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you." I said to her apologetically. I looked past her and saw Manta quickly coming towards us. So it was her. "Oh, hi Manta."

I was about to get up when I heard someone from above me. Of course, he called me miss. Never fails does it? Even without seeing my face people think that. Shrugging it off, I was about to try and get up again when the guy literally stepped over me. I couldn't believe it. He saw me laying on the ground and decided to, instead of helping me up, to step over me? And he thought I was a girl too! Was chivalry dead? When he cleared my body I quickly propped myself up on my elbows and turned to yell at him. "Seriously? You stepped over me?! Who does that?" I angrily stood up and brushed off the dirt that had gathered on my clothes and stared daggers at the guy waiting for him to turn around. 

Maybe it was a curse? Yes, that had to be it. Some demon had cursed me to always wander back to floor one. What else could there be? I had no reason to be here. All my friends were on higher floors like I should be. But still, I always came back to where it all began and every time I did I was reminded of what happened here. Not in a nightmare or anything, but in the faces of the scared players that remained. Perhaps I actually just liked torturing myself. Whatever the case, here I was on floor one again. It was the middle of the day and I was simply walking around and examining the shops and buildings. It's not like I hadn't seen the stuff before but it was still nice to experience. I left my head up in the clouds too long because before I knew it I was face first on the ground. Someone had left a cart in the middle of the road and I had unwittingly stepped on it. The cart flee backwards as I simultaneously flew forwards and onto the cobblestone. "Ahh" I yelled as descended. I laid there and made no effort to get up. Mostly because I was embarrassed that I had just done that. 

I continued to hug Glory tightly as she continued to sob in my arms. When I brought my head back she looked up at me and I could clearly see the pain in her eyes. That made me hurt more than anything, I didn't want to see her sad. She took a deep breath and frantically tried to explain what had happened. She was a total mess as she told me about the nightmares and horrible feelings she had been having. I had a feeling I knew just what she was talking about. When we first met, when we were in the diner she told me a story about her first days here. What happened then wasn't her fault and I knew that, but it would be hard to try and get her to feel that way too. I knew how powerful guilt was. I listened to her intently as she went one, her face still only inches from mine. Even her breath smelled nice. How did she do that? A battle was waging in me. A battle between the sadness of the sight and the sheer happiness of having her back. When she reached up and put a hand on my cheek to stop me from crying I smiled and brought up my hand to touch hers. "It's okay." I said softly. I gently ended the embrace and brought both of her hands in mine, separating us. "Whatever you put yourself through, you don't have to do that anymore...cause you have me. I'll carry that burden with you and we can overcome it together, just like we should." I smiled warmly before letting go of her hands and wrapping my arms around above her shoulders and bringing her closer to me once more. I still wished she could be this close all the time. "Don't be sad, I'm not mad at you. Just promise you'll stay this time." I continued to hug her as I waited for her to answer. I wondered if she still considered me her boyfriend after all this time. I figured it was a bad time to bring it up so I just left it be. But based on her reaction I'm pretty sure she did. At least I hoped so. 

"You can say that again" Before we started walking back to town. I laughed at her jab and returned with one of my own. "You think? Well I guess you did a pretty good job of not messing up so thumbs up" I said with a goofy grin and stuck out tongue. As we continued walking a heard a faint rustling behind me and saw four more elves emerge from the brush. I looked over to Vayrin and saw her pulling out her blade so I went for my own. "Oh you've got to be kidding me."

(I woulda started but I don't know how much health you wanted them to have

I was back again in my favorite place: Snowfrost town. As I did virtually every time I set foot in the crunchy snow, I thought about all the times I had been here previously. Starting all the way back from the beginning of my adventures in SAO, I had made a lot of memories in this winter wonderland. Kisses, snowballs, lots of snowballs, skating, the list goes on. Maybe it was something about the snow that brought out the fun in people. Perhaps it reminded us of the festivities of the holidays back home. I could only guess. Nonetheless, I had come up early in the morning and was simply lounging in the town square. I was sitting on a bench throwing snowballs at a nearby building as I listened to the wind blow through the town. It was peaceful and for a popular place quiet. However, I knew it rarely stayed like that for long. Eventually someone I knew would find me and start causing mayhem. Well, maybe not as much as Shirosu, but still. Where was she anyway? Oh well, I had other fun friends that knew how to make a joke. Maybe they'd make a guest appearance. 

Vayrin quickly zoomed past me and went in for her second attack. She narrowly dodged a strike from the Elf's dagger and got in a solid shot of her own. The impact from her sword sent it backward and slamming into a tree, leaving a perfect opening. "Awesome set up!" I yelled as I leaped into the air. I brought my sword up and activated <Vertical Arc>, one of my old skills that did less damage, no need t go over board. I contacted with the beasts chest and carved a red V into its elfen torso. I brought up my feet and kicked off of him as he burst out of existence. I dusted myself off and slide my sword back in its home. "I've seen mobs that are harder than that guy. Well, at least it didn't take too long." I said as I collected the materials the blacksmith requested. "Shall we return?"

ID: 40853

BD: 7 (1base+4skill+2bonusXswordart=yeah I got him)

ENEMY WOULDN'T EVEN BE ABLE TO EAT OUT OF A TUBE. HE DEAD

She picked it up and we began following the three others. I followed closely behind as they slowly led us through the forest for what seemed like the better part of 15 minutes. I had to struggle not to crack wise but I just stayed quiet and looked around. I almost didn't notice when they stopped in front of me and I had to swing my arms to keep from falling on top of them. The lead guy took a right and walked in what appeared to be the mouth of a cave. I shrugged toward Ebony and ducked to follow him in. I didn't expect to find anymore than a few straw beds but my jaw dropped when I saw what was really waiting for us. Inside the cave was another entrance that lead to a massive underground cavern. My eyes went wide when I saw the hundreds upon hundreds of furry creatures as they all turned in unison to look at their new visitors. "Woah....I hope they're friendly." As if to answer my question they all made a happy sounding yipping noise as they threw their arms in the air and ran towards us. I tried to keep my composure as Ewok after Ewok jumped and climbed around on my body. "Okay okay settle down guys. We're just here to bring back your friend." I said as I gestured to the one in Ebony's arms. As I said that two of them stepped forward and I quickly put together that they were its parents. "Well Eb, looks like it's time to give him up."

Vayrin quickly jumped into action and lunged forward toward the Elf. Her speed surprised me but it wasn't enough to catch the creature off guard as he easily dodged her blow. Fortunately, Vayrin was able to do the same and twist out of the way of the elf's counter attack. When she landed I wasted no time. I charged forward at the monster and swung my sword ferociously through the air. Maybe I had been underestimating the creature because he had no difficulty dodging my attacks either. I landed on the ground at its side and quickly leaped out of his reach to save ground. "This guy is gonna be one of those then..." 

(Suffice to say my roll was a miss)

Koumori 74/74

Vayrin 32/32

Dark Elf 12/12

Energy -2

The large man behind the counter approached me and said he could make me some gear if I killed a monster and brought back the materials. Oh nice, another errand quest. I smirked as the accept/deny prompt appeared before me. "So basically you're saying "do our work for us?" All right then." I said as I hit the accept button. "Well be back soon." I said to the man as I turned back to Vayrin. Now that I had the quest too, I knew where to go. "Let's go!" I walked ahead of her and held the door for her to exit before continuing on. It didn't take much for us to get back out to the fields and looking for the beast. He was bound to be in the forest somewhere so we started off looking. Well the quest must've just activated when you went a certain distance in because in no time I heard footsteps behind me. I spun around to see the Dark Elf facing us with a menacing look. I pulled my sword and turned to Vayrin. "Why don't you take first crack?"

I was finished with the stupid cave (you're in a cave right?). I had been searching for something worth collecting but I came up with squat. I wondered why I even bothered looking for stuff. I never found anything. I sighed deeply and started to walk back to the entrance but stopped in my tracks when I heard the sound of battle. I heard a noise that sent chills down my spine, a noise that told me someone was in trouble. I luckily ran to the source of the sound a saw two players fighting a giant bat and as fate would have it, I knew them. Noboyuki looked fine but Ayumu looked like she was hanging on by a thread. It looked bad. I didn't want to waste any time so I drew out my sword and charged towards the giant creature without saying a word. I leaped into the air and held back my sword as I charged up <Vorpal Strike>. When I heard it activate I violently shoved my sword forward and cut straight through the giant creature. I landed behind it as it bursted into pixels. I stood up and resheathed my sword before turning to the two players. "Sorry for crashing your party, looked like you could use some help." I said as I smiled at them. 

ID: 40750

BD:8 (1base+3skill+2dmg x 5 = 30dmg)

CaptainUndead 24/24

Ayumu 5/20

Koumori 72/72

Giant Bat DEAD

I'd like to help. We were just talking about all this so I'm already in the mode

Ebony quickly agreed that we should find the creatures home before something happened to eat so it looked like that's what we were doing. I noticed she seemed disappointed when I took the thing away so I figured I might as well let her carry him. "Right. Here, why don't you carry him. Looks like you like him." I said as I plopped him back in her waiting arms. "Well let's start where I found him. Follow me." With that I lead Ebony back through the brush to the spot I had found the little Ewok. When we cleared the last set of bushes and came up on the spot I stopped in my tracks. Standing where I had been kneeling were three more of the small bear things. All three were different shades of brown and were busy looking around the area. "Looks like he has a family" I whispered to Ebony. It didn't take long for them to notice us and when they did they came quickly waddling over. The one that Ebony was carrying got excited at the sight of some of its own and started motioning that it wanted to be put down. When Ebony did so, the four of them seemed like they were greeting each other. I started laughing as I watched them rub each other on the head. When they were done they started talking to each other, obviously in noises I couldn't understand, before one of the new ones came up to me and started pulling on my pant leg. I kneeled down to get closer to him and smiled. "What is it little guy?" He looked at me for a second before turning and pointing in the other direction. "You want us to follow you?" I stood back up and looked to Ebony. "I think he wants us to follow him." I said to her, mimicking myself. Before we had a chance to go anywhere, the one I had found went back over to Ebony and acted like he wanted her to pick him back up. "Guess he likes you." I said smiling.

(I've got the destination too)

Glory clenched up before slowly turning around. I saw her brown eyes for the first time in a long time as they sparkled at the sight of me. Before I could say anything she jumoed up and threw her arms around me without any hesitation. I froze for a second, trying to take in what just happened, before the warm feeling over took me again. I wrapped my arms around Glory and squeezed her as tightly as I could. I had almost forgotten what it felt like. I couldn't describe how happy I was to see her again. I looked down at her and saw that she was crying, her head resting against my chest. She must've been overcome with emotion. I could feel her body trembling and her heart beating into my chest. She must've been dreading this moment, wondering what I'd think after she left, but she didn't have anything to worry about. I brought my right hand off of her back and put it on the back of her head while I brought my own head down and rested my cheek on hers. I whispered to her softly and as reassuringly as I could. "I could never hate you, but I missed you so much. Where did you go?" I continued my embrace with her after that but I moved my hand back to its original position so we could look at each other when she responded. Just like the first time, I didn't want the moment to end. The softness and warmth of her body was the best thing I could imagine. Tears welled up in my eyes too when I thought about all the time I was apart from her. I was so glad I found her. 

I had some strange feeling in the morning that I should go to the second floor. I didn't know what it was but when I woke up I walked to the teleported and went right to my second least visited floor. When I got there it was pretty deserted. There wasn't much for me to do in the towns so I made my way out to the fields. There was no one there either. That was weird. This place wasn't usually packed by any means but there were people. I felt like I was the only person on the whole floor. That assumption was proven false when I saw someone sitting in the grass. Even from a hundred feet away I knew who it was as soon as I saw her. I froze in my tracks at the sight of Glory. I couldn't move an inch as I just looked at her. I hadn't seen her for so long. What had happened? We had that night and then she disappeared. I thought at first that she had died but I never saw her name on the monument. Then I figured she didn't want anything to do with me but I knew she wasn't that cruel. Whatever the reason, my heart took over and sent me running toward her. I reached her faster than I could've imagined and stood behind her. She didn't hear me approach so I stood there for a second and looked at her. Just as I remembered. I couldn't think of anything to say to her. My feelings for her remained exactly as they were before but I didn't know what she felt so I didn't want to jump the gun and make it weird. With the look of surprise on my face, accompanied by a new blush, I spoke out to her. "Glory?"

"Right right sorry. Lead the way Violet Phantom" I said with a wink. Vayrin continued to walk past me as she gave me a light nudge in an attempt to knock me off balance. It kinda worked, I stumbled to the side and had to bring my other foot down in order to stay standing. I laughed a little as she forged ahead. "Oh don't worry, I'm sure I can handle him. Monsters cower in fear at my might! My name is known throughout...ahh who am I kidding? I can beat it though." I followed Vayrin through the town as she led us to our destination. It seemed to be a small shop by the looks of it and my suspsions were confirmed when we walked inside. Behind the counter stood a couple who seemed like they were waiting for us to arrive. I turned to Vayrin, "this it?"

(did I get that right? I read the summary the other day. Go ahead and have them describe the thread and we can get to it)

Vayrin smiled and brought up her menu as I went through my routine. I guess she was pulling up quests and that was confirmed when told me the first step of whatever one she had chosen. According to her we had to go back to the town. She put the menu away and looked up at my confused face before revealing the name of the quest. Never heard of it. "Oh never heard of it. The more you know right?" I said to her as she started walking ahead of me. She added that we needed to fight a boss and I smiled. Fighting was always fun. I hurried to catch up to her and gave her a light slap on the shoulder as I passed her. "Alright then let's hurry!" I said as I hurried on ahead. I felt like an idiot when I literally stopped in my tracks and turned my head back to her. "Yeah I literally have no idea where I'm going so you're gonna have to take the lead on this one." I said as I remained frozen in a half step pose. 

My eyebrow raised at the mention of doing a quest. Well for her to offer that she definitely wasn't mad at me at all. Good to know. Plus that was just what I needed. "Sure, have anything in mind?" I grimaced at what she said in reply to my earlier comment. I considered for a second what to say before I thought that maybe I should give her a show to make up for before, even if she wasn't mad about it. I kicked one of my feet in the air and brought my finger to my lip in one of the girl poses I often used on Sousuke and Manta. Over the top sure but it did the trick. I answered her back in a pouty voice. "You really think so? Well, I have been told that before." I smiled at her briefly before returning to normal and shaking my head. "So yeah that's been my life. Good thing you can tell the difference between a boy and a girl. Anyway, yeah this quest. Let's get on that shall we?"

Glory had a look of bliss on her face when she repeated what had just happened to herself. I probably had the same look. When I got up she crawled over to her pillow and curled up, probably to cover her redness. She agreed with me and unequipped some stuff to get ready for bed. I made w quickly glance at the empty space next to her and wondered if I'd ever fill it. I hoped so, but it was way too soon for that. I smiled at the thought though as I turned to the couch. Glory asked if I was really okay with the couch and I felt happy that she cared. Why wouldn't she though? That's the kind of person she was. "Don't worry I can sleep anywhere. Promise". I gave her the thumbs up as a laid down and got comfortable. I was about to go to sleep in the same room as my girlfriend. Wow. Didn't think I'd be saying that. It would take some getting used to. It was just too awesome. I felt that warm feeling in my chest all over again just thinking about Glory. I heard her sweet voice over the darkness and turned to make myself more comfortable. "Sweet dreams, Glory."

COMPLETED!

Koumori +1 SP +1000 Col

Glory +1 SP +1000 Col

Beung that close to Glory, I realized yet again how much she made me felt. When we kissed it was like a floodgate. All I could think about was being with her more and more. Just seeing her would be enough for me. But with what she had just said, I knew that it would be more than that. I could feel her body trembling in my hands as we shared our affection. But I knew she wasn't trembling in fear because I was trembling too. She wasn't trembling because she couldn't contain her happiness. At least I hoped. When we finally pulled our lips apart she reached out and tucked my hair behind my ear. She looked so adorable when she did that, that sweet smile. She put her hands back down to her lap and looked down as she spoke again. My cheeks went red again when I heard what she said. Bet gift is right. It's the best thing I could ever ask for. I took a deep gulp as my words stopped in my throat. I looked at her square in her beautiful eyes as I answered. "You're the most amazing person I've ever met, not to mention the cutest. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't meet you." I paused to collect myself. "Then that makes me your boyfriend then." I quickly leaned forward and gave her another peck on the lips before I stood up off the bed. All the embarrassment from what had just happened flowed into me at once and I became flush head to toe. I rubbed my nose as I looked at the floor. "Well I guess we should probably go to bed now. I don't know if I can handle anymore haha. I'll get back to the couch." This was shaping up to be the best night of my life by far. I never knew that when I ran into Glory this would happen. I looked back over at her and a huge smile spread on my face. She was my girlfriend. That mad me the happiest I had ever been. 

We have a podcast?

Oh god these episodes are old. All those active people you listed are like gone haha

Ebony squealed like, well like a girl, when she saw little thing and jumped up to grab it in her arms. She looked at it with affection as she hugged it to her chest. Seemed like she liked it. She pulled herself away from its eyes to tell me that what I said was okay, as long as she got to call me something to. She started to say but stopped before she finished. She sure wanted dramatic effect. What was she going to say? Most people called me Kou nowadays. Even though I'm pretty sure the only reason for that is because it sounds more girly. Ahh the things I went through. Eventually she came out with it and I could only tilt my head in confusion. Senpai? She wanted to call me senpai? Of course I had no objection but that seemed like an odd choice. "Senpai? Alright, if you want. Can't turn that down." I laughed at the thought of her calling me senpai from then on. That aside though, what to do with the Ewok? I just found it by chance, but what was it doing there? I took a step forward and gently took it back from Ebony and held it up to my face. "Well we gotta figure out what this little guy is and put him back where he belongs. Might be a detour but I'm not in a rush. What do you think?" I turned to Ebony and waited on her opinion. 

(I know how this is gonna play out so in my next post I'll get on with it)