Opal

"I guess it was pretty obvious he would find out I was a front liner. I guess I should have been more subtle. But he still doesn't know who I am. So you were able to figure it out, huh?" She smiled after receiving a small kiss on her cheek, it was another bold move and he spoke to her on having a mutually beneficial good evening with good company. It was no denying he was a great guy, but come tomorrow she would be Opal again and not Vivian. Finishing their drinks they each parted ways. Tobias who slept on the floor and the woman nestled in her bed. 

She turned over slightly cradling a long pillow in her arms as she began to doze off. The night was quickly churning, those stars and moon fading out with the rain as the new day started to set. A small break through the window as light shined, Opal was dressed once more in her casual clothing as the day started. She gave him a little extra time to sleep before pushing his shoulder to wake him up. 

They greeted one another with smiles and they had a light conversation about sleeping well, though she would have guessed he would have prefered her bed. Laughing, she escorted him out and waved him off as she turned her back. They had parted ways and when they would see each other again? It was a toss up. But Opal had to prepare to be herself; she drowned Vivian and awoke as Opal. That smile fleeting from her face, replaced by a stoic and warrior expression. Summoning Jaken, she looked to her familiar. 

"Let's go, Jaken." 

=== 

Summary: +1 SP Each, 400 Col to Able [Opal foregoes the col reward for the thread] 

"You were expecting me to dance. Yes, I do not recall ever saying that I would dance for you. I believe you've been daydreaming a little bit too much there. No, I just wanted to have some one on one with you away from the bar environment. You are a nice guy, you have been very gentleman like and I wanted to thank you for that. So here you are. In my place. And drinking my booze." she took a sip of the warm sake once more sitting on her butt and her legs folded underneath the small table as she sat on the ground. He seemed a little uncomfortable though even though he continued and persisted with the charming compliments. 

"Yes, I've actually been keeping a good eye on you as well. Not much gets by me in terms of observation. Though I can be totally clueless at times as well. Haha. But you are sweet with all those compliments. I seriously haven't had fun in a long time. I am usually so busy going off and doing...stuff? Haha." the woman laughed lightly, her small body bouncing with the girlish laughter. She cocked her head to the side towards the only window that was in the room. Small pings hit the window as she looked over at it, "Looks like its raining outside now." Lifting her small body off the ground, she walked towards the window and opened it enough for the cool breeze to enter inside. The candles flickered from the passing breeze but it seemed to air out the small room. The sound of light rain could be heard as she sat back down to take sip of her warm Sake. 

"Looks like you won't be going back to the first floor anytime soon," she said with a flirty smile. "Listen. We both agreed not to do anything tonight. You are free to sleep on the floor tonight, no harm done there. If you feel uncomfortable, I can wake you up before I leave for my errands and you can do as you wish from there. Just know I had an amazing night, it was good to feel like a woman again without having to resort to in game trickery." 

"Oh cheeky bastard, aren't you?" she said to his dancing comment, "Come on, Pretty Boy. It's just up ahead here." The woman said with a pointing gesture with her thumb. She continued to lead them to a small little building just right on the street of Nimbus. The door opened, both walking in one after another, of course he being the gentleman like earlier held the door open for her.  As they stepped inside there was immediately a different tone to the place. Soft music played in the background and the scent was a little smokey like earth and dirt but fragrant and not very strong. They headed down a narrow corridor, "It's a lot bigger than it seems to be from the outside." The woman placed her palm on the door, signifying that she had already paid for the room ahead of time. The door made a noise and clicked open as she pushed it back. 

The room was...homey to say in the least. There was a single bed off to the corner. A small window beside it and a dresser that held nothing in particular. There was a small table that was close to the ground and candles lit up in all corners of the room. That same scent from the lobby was now filling the room giving a calming environment much like incense would.

"Welcome to my pad. It's not much, but for a woman like me, I don't need much of a place to just crash after a long day. Why don't you take a seat over there and I'll break out that Sake." The woman shuffled her feet behind a small little changing curtain where her body glowed for a moment before her sandals disappeared showing off her bare feet. The ripped denim shorts now in place of some booty shorts and her tank top replaced by a slightly longer t-shirt with the picture of a white bunny on it. Stepping aside from the curtain, the woman sat opposite of Tobias, "Comfortable?" she asked. 

A smile on her face as she materialized the Sake set and poured each of them a warm cup of the alcohol. She placed the porcelain jug down on the table and sipped from the cup, "Oh yes, this is much better than that swill at the bar." 

Her violet eyes twinkled at his compliment, or at least she hoped they were twinkling. She hadn't played the flirt game in such a long time in an innocent way that she might have been rusty with it. But she was happy for the most part that he wanted to relax for a little while with her at the inn. Simply nodding to him, "Yes. I know that fact quite well. Well you have a killer body like mine, most of these things are notable to woman with self confidence. However, I am always happy to hear compliments. We'll be heading to Floor Seven then. I'll wait for you on the other side." 

The female took a small stride towards the teleport and stood in front of it. She spoke, "Floor Seven, Nimbus." In a sparkling array of color, her body fragmented into light as she was whisked away. As if she just closed and opened her eyes, she found her body materialized back on floor seven. It was a bit more mild than it was on the bottom floor, her skin was not getting goosebumps like before and she turned and twisted on her foot as she waited for her companion to come through on the other side. It wasn't a long walk from here at the plaza and the inn could be seen from the short distance away. Coming back to this floor gave her another sense of nostalgia though. She remember Lawfer coming to this floor with her when she was in training. Then she fought him here as well in the mountains when she had killed a certain player. 

She gave a low sigh and brushed the long hair from her face. She adjusted her tank top strap once more and took a few steps forward feeling a little anxious about inviting him to her room. Was that such a good idea? He seemed nice enough and they already agreed that a one night stand was not going to happen. If she could survive tomorrow's raid, then she'd--

"Oh, seems like you finally made it. Follow me, the Inn isn't too far from here." 

Opal titled her head slightly at his stammering remarks. She gave him a puzzled look and wondered why he was being so nervous about something. She began to slip off his jacket, her milky shoulders moving up and down until it was past her elbows and finally just hanging in her hand as she gave the jacket back. "I see, the first floor, huh? I suppose that is as good as any other location to sleep. They have nice inns there, cozy and quiet most of the time. I actually know the owner of the 'Sleeping Dragon.' I ran some material hunts for him way back in the day so he let's me sleep there on occasion for free. If you tell him O--" Opal closed her mouth with both hands and squinted, "[censored]. I almost [censored] blew my cover. Good job you stupid bitch." Opal shook her head frantically, that plan was not going to go over well. Had she told him her name, then that would make things rather uncomfortable. 

She cleared her throat, "Ugh, sorry. That would require you knowing my in game name. You know what? The night is still a little early, its only hitting 1 am server time. Why don't you come back to my place for a little night cap? I got some warm sake I have been saving for an occasion and I wouldn't mind spending a little more time with you, unless you absolutely have to go back." The woman crossed her arms over her back as she stood with her feet together looking at Tobias. She wanted him to feel comfortable and after hearing him stammer like that, she could easily put two and two together that he wasn't very comfortable sleeping on such a noisy floor such as the first one. Those people were early risers and the constant yelling of children from the Orphanage could make anyone wake up with blood shot eyes. 

"Come on. It'll be fine. You can crash at my place too, the first floor is really loud in the mornings depending on the location. I am sure you'd enjoy a more thorough night's rest in a place of quiet serenity. Of course, you'll be sleeping on the floor. I myself gotta wake up early tomorrow in preparations for...an appointment of sorts. How about it?"   

The jacket was a nice touch on his part. She felt a bit warmer from it and it shielded away the tattoo from her hip bone. With the back of her hand, she flipped the long snow white hair from underneath as it billowed out with a strong gust of wind. She enjoyed listening to his story about his soccer team, sounded like they were pretty reliable on going pretty far in their league. Although she did not know much about the sport besides kicking a ball back and forth a really long field. She would feel his hand brush up against hers, she didn't realize they were walking so close together. On instinct she brought her hand up and into the pockets of his jacket where she smiled up at him from his question. 

"Hobbies. I had a few, I guess dancing and smoking are the two that best describe Vivian in her 'Hey Days' as a sorority girl. There was a lot of parties to go to and I enjoyed dancing. And noooo, I was not some kind of exotic dancer." she gave him a quick jab to his shoulder for that comment, but it was a friendly jab. But yeah, other than that I guess going out to bars and just having fun in life was my hobby. I enjoyed Yoga as well, don't do much of that anymore though. Oh. This way, take a left here." 

She directed him with further directions. There were a few shady individuals nearby, but one look from her violet eyes they knew who she was. The long white hair, those burning violet eyes, the unsettling aura she gave when they made contact with her. They stepped away quickly clearing the path for the two to walk. She smirked and looked up at Tobias, "Damn, You got some presence about you. Made those guys hit the streets pretty fast. Good thing you are walking with me, I might have got mugged or something." she was playing it cool as she could. She knew these people and their filthy life styles and they knew better than to mess with Opal of Laughing Coffin. 

"One more right and we're here!" she said gesturing with her hands. Urbus took on a different look as they escaped the grime of the city. It looked much cleaner and there was less tension in the air hanging over the two. Smiling once more with her full lips, she gestured towards the Plaza and remained silent for a moment before taking a few steps forward. 

"Well, this is the plaza. I have a place on floor seven I enjoy sleeping at.You have a place to stay for the night, I imagine. I don't know your level or how long you've been out grinding. Silly game terms, but I figured you'd have some place to sleep."  

She rolled her eyes, perhaps she should have explained the statement about the screwing part but she left it alone. She was bad with words sometimes, and right now she was probably terrible at this conversation thing after being away from civilized talk for so long. Clearing her throat once more, often that she did, once more retained the attention she desired to have with him. So he enjoyed sports, that was cool. She enjoyed a good game of football and often found herself at games at her college when she was able to get peel away from work. But he seemed like he had a pretty strict diet to work with as far as hobbies and work went. He was dedicated, she could respect him for that and his work ethics.

Then he suggested them to go for a walk. She smiled and thought that was a very good idea. He had finished off his water and she had finished off her beer. With his hand out, she stretched and retrieved it as she stood on her feet. She was wearing sandals of all things with her casual outfit. The tank top barely passed over a portion of her exposed belly, clearly showing the dangling butterfly navel piercing that was now visible to his eyes should he look her over and no doubt that he would. She knew she was a stunning woman. And she was thankful that he was a taller guy, but why did that matter? She wasn't here to size him up for anything. However, among her clothing one thing did stand out from her flesh and that was her right hip bone. Across her belly and over her hip was a funny looking, almost comical cartoon looking coffin with a face. How peculiar right? She would not draw attention to it and walked outside the evening air of Urbus where the many dwellers of the night resided. 

"Oh my. It did get a bit chilly this evening. We want to walk straight that way, we'll get out of the slums here if we follow this street path." The woman pointed in the direction of where they needed to go to get out of the shady district of Urbus. As they began to walk, Opal turned her head towards Tobias, "Soccer, huh?" picking up where they had left off, "Sounds cool. Did you have a good team? You look pretty athletic, its no wonder if you were the Captain. I bet you got some pretty strong thighs too!" she said with a small smile peering up at him. The woman brought her hair over her shoulder to hide away the small tattoo showing over her hip, if anything he might not have seen it when she turned. She also wondered if he had a place to sleep for the night. They had not met each other once before this night, so she was unsure if he was a player just getting on his feet or a mid tier player who had a decent amount of col collected. Either way, it was probably none of her business. Should the opportunity present itself, she would ask. 

She found his wandering eyes to be just that wandering. She put herself in a position to be looked at like that, she didn't mind at all to be honest with herself. If you had it, flaunt it. He spoke of promises that were something more than mere words, however, the word had stemmed so many bad things in her life she would have to disagree on the matter and that was fine. Differences made people unique. It would have been a sad and boring world if everyone agreed to the same things. In light of the conversation, she wouldn't make a dramatization out of it and simply nodded. 

"Well so far, I don't think I have rejected you. Then again we didn't say anything about screwing after this little get together, so you can chalk that up as a victory for your book. So long as you're not attempting to stick your tongue down my throat, I don't see you as a threat and I won't have to smack you to get the point across." She brought the beer to her lips once more noticing his hand shake, she didn't know him very well and it could have been a nervous tick or something. She left the subject alone, perhaps it was time to change it up then to something a bit more less serious.

"I believe we stepped on something rather serious and it might be a better idea as to not spoil the mood, to move onto something a little bit lighter. So besides being a Playboy, do you have any hobbies?" the strap of her tank top was slipping again, and he had been such a gentleman helping her keep it on her shoulder that it was just being a nuisance at this point. She shifted one more, bringing it back up over her shoulder closer to her neck so it wouldn't slip off as much. That seemed to help for the moment. She took a sip of her beverage as the clear droplets snaked over her fingers as she clutched the bottle. Half the contents gone already, but beer tasted horrible when it was warm and so she drank heavily once again before placing it down on the table. 

He feet under the table stretched out for the moment before she brought her hands up into the air and giving a small squeaky yawn. Bringing a finger up to her eye where she brushed the long hair from her eyes over her ear as she readjusted herself in the seat. She wasn't tired, but knowing that the raid was tomorrow she had to be in tip top physical shape and that meant having a nice night to relax and possibly meditate. She was having fun, as weird as it was to her for thinking that. It was the first time in a long time that she could relax like this. Perhaps she had a certain feeling of dread and she just wanted one final night to be herself without being tied down by those obligations of being a front line player. These thoughts encumbered her, she needed to stop that and focus on the male before her attention was some place irrelevant of the evening. 

She nodded as she listened, her brows would make gestures for expressions. Her eyes would light up as he spoke, his words carrying much thought such as never planning for tomorrow when there is an entire hour in front of you waiting to be enjoyed. He was right on that mark. Opal had tried to plan out her future a few times, most of that time it didn't go as well as expected, hell she was stuck inside a virtual world for fucks sake. How much planning did it take to go from testing out a simple machine for a thesis to getting stuck? She laughed mentally at her own position or ironic events and her eyes flickered back up at his. 

"No you are absolutely right. You can't plan for a future when so much can change in an instant." Tobias had brought up her ex-boyfriend in the game and she laughed with a shake of her head. Her fingers lifted towards her mouth taking one final drag before expelling the fragrant smoke over her head. She gave the cig a gentle flick away from her body as it pixelated apart into nothingness leaving nothing in turn besides the subtle scent of citrus hanging around her like a hugging aura. She pulled the beer closer to her as she drank from the tip once more setting it down on the table and collecting her thoughts. 

"Yeah, well. I have undergone so many changes in this game, its hard to explain. I was with a pretty popular guild at the time and I was recruiting. Essentially, he was someone I became fond with. I figured I could let myself have all the things I wanted on the world from the outside if I just opened up a little more. Things were nice with him, he was very pleasant and wasn't very needy. I enjoyed his company, then..." the woman shrugged, unintentionally allowing the strap of her tank top to fall lose over her shoulder, "he disappeared somewhere. He promised he never would, and then he was gone. Just like that," she snapped her fingers emphasizing the the statement. 

The woman drank heavily from her bottle, those old wounds somehow opened after they had been sealed for so long. But they didn't rip open as much as she thought it would. She could talk about it without breaking down into tears. No, it was more anger than sadness she felt now. But she had been the fool, and she allowed it to happen to her, "So that is what happened there. People make promises. Promises die and break. Not that I have nothing against them, but I don't take promises at face value much anymore. A promise is just another word. As for playing men as simple tools. I have done that when I first was stranded on this...floating castle. I was a weak woman, didn't know how to play games. So I slept with men to stay protected. But I soon realized I could protect myself and men were nothing more than a sexual release. I still wish to have a real relationship maybe one day, that void inside me is always in a desire to feel loved and be loved by someone. I know now, it is something I can't have." 

The woman shifted and her head perked up at his words as she took them into her. He continued to give off wise words, but they were words she heard from others before him. Everyone was different on how they perceived her, and they could see right through her bluffs. Itzal had seen through her, perhaps because she was allowing him to see her in this form. Come tomorrow when the light would bask, she would be Opal again. 

"It's funny you mention vigilante. When I finished my training I actually hunted players down and dragged them from away safe zones and did so many uncalled for things. Which means, I have tortured Green Players on the verge of going Orange. I wanted to instill a fear into people's eyes and hearts that someone was watching them and they couldn't get away with anything they wanted. My hate morphed into something deadly and ugly. So I am without redemption, you see. There are green players also who deal with defiling others. I must be some kind of monster by now." 

She hesitated and tilted her head admiring the crystal that had the faint glow to it, "That's pretty. And you are a sweet guy. You are going to make a woman very happy one day if you continue being like this. You fight for your honor, and you fight to protect your friends. You are someone I would cherish to fight alongside me. But you are developed in the light; you have reasons to live for those friends of yours. It is much easier for me to not have that at least right now. But you are courageous and you have gone through a devastating scenario with the lose of your family. Don't give up on that light. So long as you have that light flickering, then I know what I am fighting for as well. And I will know why my hands are stained in the blood of others. People like you, are the reason I fight and the reason I kill. I want you to have that light forever bright within you and radiate out to others." 

She shifted once again, drawing her body closer to him, "If that spark dies, what reason do I have to protect the others? So you have to make me a promise as well. Do not get mixed up with people like Laughing Coffin, do not look for us, don't even say our names. If you see an Orange Player, do not engage them by yourself. That light is for you to give to others, to have it swept away into darkness, that would be a real tragedy. Do you understand what I am asking of you?" 

She smiled with her red lips, a quick flick of her cigarette away from the two as the ashes were scattered away. He was admirable for being so defiant and against the grain. Perhaps it was his daredevil, and youthful persona. She gave a mental shrug to herself, "I am glad we are on the same page then. Although you picked one hell of a spot to explore. Urbus is like the LA of sword art online." she laughed, flicking ashes subconsciously from her burning cigarette. She took  another long drag from the stick, a little more than called for before tilting her head to side and blowing away from Tobias. With a bat of her eyes as the smoke settled around her, she thanked the bartender as another cold brew was set before her. 

She took it by the long neck and drank the contents, that same crisp and cold feeling running down her gullet as she placed the bottle down lightly on the table top and licking her lips in the process followed by a 'Mmm.' sound. He still wanted to get to know her though and she didn't think it was that big of a problem so long as she didn't speak about her in game persona. So then she cleared her throat, "Well, if you wish to get to know me. I suppose I don't mind it very much. Although I can't say I am very interesting woman. I might have you intrigued but I think that's because you are in the presence of a total hottie." she encouraged and stroked her own ego, knowing full well she had the weapons that could break a man down. But she would not use her body for such a tactic except to show off which is what her intent was. 

Moving one silky leg over the other and flicking the ashes yet again from her half burned cigarette, the woman swept hair from her eyes and leaned forward, curling a hand underneath her chin while she nursed her cigarette over the edge of the table. Her cleavage once again revealed as she pushed her body towards the edge of the table to get in a comfortable position, "If you want to get to know me, it would only be fair if I get to ask some questions about you, yes? Had you not been trapped here, what kind of future would you want for yourself? It says a lot about a person who sleeps around. I did it mostly because I was attempting to fill a void, sex helped fill that void temporarily, but I never found a man that could keep up with me. Usually my relationships don't last that long." 

"What girl doesn't enjoy being complimented on? You are a sweet guy, you know your way with women. I won't deny any of that, but there is a huge separation between you and I. Getting to know me can be difficult. This is a rare night for me to be out drinking, it does not happen often. And I have explicitly only told you my real name as opposed to my in game name because it would be a disaster otherwise. I am unsure of what will happen after tonight. I'll be very upfront with you, cause I don't wanna lead you on. I am not looking for sex tonight, I am not looking for any kind of relationship. I am in a very...difficult position right now and I rather not get you involved. I know that sounds weird, but you'll have to trust me on this. I am not a normal woman by any stretch of the imagination, which is why I am flirting and just having fun right now." 

The woman drew back her body away from the male, she hugged her chest with her arms to block the view of her chest from his eyes, red lips parting into a smile once again. "I however, will not deny another drink. You look like you are empty as well. I would say you shouldn't be drinking anyways cause you are so young, but I am the last person to preach on morality." The woman shifted in her seat, one leg coming undone from the other as both her feet landed on the ground. With a single hand she moved towards her menu and opened it up. 

"I haven't had a cigarette in a long time. Mainly because I am trying to kick the habit. Of course it does nothing for me here as it would in the real world, but its often out of habit and routine that I do it. Being an alchemist in the game however, it allows me to craft items that help subdue the craving of nicotine." With a small flash of light, between her fingers sat cozy a slender stick in the form of a cigarette. She enjoyed the feeling of it in between her fingers and took the moment she had to take a long drag from it. Her body seemed to melt from the first hit and her head fell backwards while she pursed her lips together and blew a steady orange stream from her mouth. The scent of oranges now mixed into the air as the subtle scent wafted around her body. 

"I can't be called an Angel though, Doll. I have too many demons inside my heart to be called such a pure thing. I would like to tell you more about myself, but it would be strictly personal information rather than in game stuff. I can't let you know who I am, I might end up scaring you away from me." she gave a light hearted chuckle, flicking the ashes off her cig into the air as they fluttered away from existence. Hopefully Tobias didn't mind too much, she used to smoke a lot more, but her cravings have since then settled down. But with her drinking like this, those familiar desires of nicotine were a tight addiction to shake. 

"I'm glad to know you are not walking down the same destructive path that I am walking down. Unlike you, I don't have the liberty to turn a blind eye away from Player Killers. You were able to find solace in your friends and guild. I am happy for that, but I have an Oath I must fulfill. That Oath is what makes me; me. Also, you are right. They don't check my friends list, but friends are simply not words on a list. They are they people you hang out with, the people you protect and the ones who will always be in danger. Because the sick minded players are not the ones who attack the strongest, but the weakest and they attack your heart not your body. Just knowing that much from a person can cause them to do unheard of things. Say for example you and your friend, best buddies, blood brothers happen to be split up. A member of a PK guild comes to find you and you defeat them easily. They will cause misery to your friends and they will hurt you where it counts; your heart. They take away everything you love and turn it into ash until you are left with nothing. Friends can be powerful, but they can also be a burden. The less people I know, the less that will be hurt. So in a way, I am protecting the ones I care for by driving them away." 

The woman remained silent for a moment, clearing her throat in the process. "For the time being I am Opal of Laughing Coffin. A Player Killer just like them. One day my story will come to an end by someone like me and I will find peace in my death. Until that day happens though, I will purge this world of all orange players. Should I die, well then...My sins are plenty, I will die knowing I have given some people comfort knowing they are safe for a little while longer." Opal drew her hands into her lap and she sighed gently moving her head down towards the edge of the fountain to feel the cold stone against her cheek. 

"Am I selfish in believing I can save the world like this? I could turn my head and back away now and find redemption, but I don't believe I deserve it. You see before you a woman who has a heart but this heart bleeds black inside. I have darkness in my veins, poison on my lips, and my touch can ruin the life of a person. Perhaps I don't have the right to kill people. Perhaps I am too angry, but, if not me...then who? You yourself said you could  not walk down my path. Someone has to. Leaving it left alone, that does nothing but allow evil to spread its wings." 

Her lips curled as her eyes were transfixed on his hand movements. It was rare for her to allow any male person to touch her in such a way, she normally would flinch or recoil her hand. But for the moment, she would accept it as a friendly gesture. Her belly and cheeks grew warm however, feeling the softness of his hand against her skin, eyes fluttered a few times as he adjusted the strap of her tank top. He was a bold one, that was for sure. But she was listening to him, and laughed at his comment about being mysterious. 

Though he did end up opening himself up, she was more surprised by the fact he was only nineteen. A teenager hitting on her like this. She could only guess what others might think, but she didn't play the game that way. She would just go with the flow. So she would allow him to touch her and she would indulge in his words and what he was like. So it was quite true on her original thoughts about him, "A classy man. To be honest, I don't mind if people say they sleep around with others. Sex is a natural part of humanity, might as well enjoy the feeling if it feels good. For the longest time I also did such a thing." 

She cleared her throat and drank heavily from the contents of her beverage. With a small sigh, she smiled and her body perked up. "Vivian Cruz. I will be twenty-six at the end of October. So I have a few years on you already it seems. Haha, but that's fine. Let's see, I studied out of Penn State University, I am a former sorority sister. And before I was trapped here, I was a Chemist at Penn State. I too have a loving family and a younger brother named Ren. I hope to see them again someday and I miss them very much. It is actually because I am a chemist that I was trapped here. I was not fond of rpgs, but I wanted to know what the long term side effects were from mixing virtual reality with reality on the person's psyche. That was my thesis. I did not think I would actually get trapped inside of a game though. However, I now have all that I need to write a kick ass thesis and how fucked up people will be when they get the hell out of this game." She laughed at her own little joke poking fun at the idea of her thesis being such a grand piece of work. 

"I'm happy to know my body pleases your eyes so much. It has been a long time since I have been complimented like that. In the position I am in, its hard to find room for a connection with people. Tonight I just wanted to see if I could still pull off being a carefree person. I did have a boyfriend in this game, but so much has changed. I have changed." the woman's eyes moved from his down at the table and then at her beer glass. She scooped it with one hand and drank the remaining contents. With a light tap of the bottle on the table, she looked back in Tobias' eyes. "I don't wanna seduce you, Sug. We both know we are good looking people, just for tonight though I wanted to see if I could connect with another person. Ya know, a lot of people are unsure of the future because we are trapped in a world where fate hangs in the balance of a group of people fighting for the survival of everyone here. We sometimes forget who we are as people, ones that sit and laugh, cry and shelter ourselves when things get tough. So I just wanted to connect with someone, make sure I was still a human."

"Such words of wisdom from a young man."she said at his comment about the general populace of their ideals. Opal would sigh nonetheless. She often looked to the floor so she wouldn't stumble too much. For being a warrior, she sure was clumsy at times both with her feet and her words. She was however surprised at his level, "Thirty-three. You are indeed getting stronger, that's good. The front lines could use the help, but they are desperate need of tanks.  Everyone likes to play the DPS role, but with how things are run, with so little roles of tanks, we can only have so many parties which is quite the burden." the woman took in a heavy breath, "They'll make due with what they have for now. We don't have any other choice to be honest though. The tank is the most important as they also share leadership roles as well too. That is a lot to ask of a person, to be both a player that endangers their life for the others as well as the discipline to remain steadfast and protect them while giving out orders should the need arise." 

The woman scooped a single hand of the water and allowed it to pool in her hand before allowing the liquid to rush through her fingers. With a look of mischief, she splashed Itzal with the remaining remnants of liquid from her fingertips and spritzed him, "We might have got off on the wrong foot last time. I am a complicated woman and the reason I didn't accept your friend request was because its dangerous for you as well as myself. I was humbled by the act though and I am glad you are getting stronger. One day, perhaps, I will no longer have life to give. True can be said to any front line player, and it will be the new age of players like yourself to help everyone out of this game. Are you ready to bare that on your shoulders?" she asked with a questioning gaze as she slicked her fingers across her pants, drying them from the previous engagement with the fountain. 

Her eyes smiled along with her red curved lips. Her attention brought about by his question as it was spun back in her general direction. It seemed her provocation didn't work on him, that was a bit of a let down. She, at one point, enjoyed people looking at her and her goods. Whether it was her ass or her tits, she just enjoyed the attention. It was a prevailing trait of hers even now while she had been through so much. The swept a long piece of violet colored hair away from her face with her pinky, and cleared her throat. 

"I might be a beautiful woman, but I don't got any class. I like it here, it's as I say; gives a darker atmosphere. There are not many people who travel to such a place, so I tend to come here to get away from my obligations. So here I am, getting away from it all. At least for tonight. Besides, I find this darkness in Urbus to be a lot more alluring than most places. I have a soft spot for such things like the abnormal and the trashy, and I like a good mess."

Tobias had fixed the collar and around his neck to make it look more 'neat.' Opal smirked while she leaned over her seat, and began to mess with his collar as it was at the beginning, "That's a little better. You don't wanna look like you own the world in the palm of your hand here. This is the dark side of Urbus if you are unfamiliar with this district, there are a series of Bordellos and 'Tea Houses' not too far from here as well. You could easily get mugged by some players here who are desperate enough. So becareful on what you do and how you act. I've been around Urbus for a long time, I know the sins of the city like my own sins." 

Opal smiled and brought her beverage to her lips, the refreshing draught running smooth down her throat as she licked her lips once more and set the bottle down. "Let's pretend for the evening that we are not in some game world, Tobias. Tell me a little about yourself; who are you and what kind job do you have? Do you make a lot of money? Are you married or perhaps have a girlfriend waiting for you back at home?" Opal was perhaps asking too many personal questions, but they were all here in this together. Why not make the most of it tonight and remember that they were still humans and not some digital chess pieces for Kayaba to move as he liked.

"Can't complain. I got the world feeding out of the palm of my hand." She said still leaning one on foot and her arms over her chest. She had remembered the conversation with this kid not too long ago at the Lakeside where she had invited him to a duel to test his worth on his resolve. She wondered if he had faltered during the short period of time that transpired from then to now. 

Clearing her throat and taking a deep breath, she relaxed her body from its previous tense state. Her feet would begin to move away from him and she would sit down by the fountain that seemed to be the focus point besides the Cathedral in Taft. Her fingers skimmed the surface and she felt a shudder run down her spine, the water was cold and the weather was surprisingly cooler than she thought it would be. 

"We haven't spoken to each other in a little while. Tonight, I am not out for anyone's blood or testing their resolve." she said with a small light laughter, she gestured for him to sit next to her as she drummed her fingers over the fountain's water once more, giving her fingers a quick flick to splash the liquid. She curled her one hand into a fist and bent her elbow as she steadied her head over it, overlooking the celestial pool where the moon was reflected back from it. It was enough to cause her to look up at ths stars, her eyes closing for the moment before she breathed in that cool air. 

"You are still alive, so that's a good sign. Getting stronger are we?" 

OOC: It doesnt matter the length, just the quality. ;) 

Opal laugh a girlish laugh. He was a smooth talker, but it wasn't something new for her. She gave a mild shrug from his compliments, "I know how good looking I am. That can be a problem for both me and the people I am with. Jealousy can grow in many different fronts. But it is nice to meet you Tobias, my name is Vivian. And for the night, if you do not mind I wish to just be known as Vivian. I am attempting, very difficult I might add, to just be a woman tonight with nothing on her shoulders baring down. I have many obligations but tonight, this evening, I just wish to be a human as much as possible." 

Her thin dark brows raised as she smile with her red coated lips. Sure why not have a little fun tonight? He didn't know she was Opal, perhaps he would find out another day but right now she was just Vivian. Perhaps she could try and get back into her flirtatious ways tonight albeit as rusty as they were. But it didn't seem like she would have to try too hard. Men were easy targets. A little skin to be shown and they could easily be lost in lust with her. She allowed the strap of her tank top to slide off her shoulder once more as she took the bottle and held it to her lips to drink. 

"Oh my. Don't stop now, I am enjoying all these compliments. You seem to have the balls though to talk to such an attractive woman, no one here could hold my attention though. Or they would mumble something to me and then go red in the face. But you look like a classy guy, what brings you to a shithole like this in the first place? Taft has some great drinking places and far more entertaining than this dump. Usually the ones that come here are looking for something a little more...dark." she said it with a slight roll of her shoulder and leaning forward, just enough for his gaze should he fell inclined to do so, catch an ample look of her cleavage. The woman didn't lose it after all, she could swing the night away and flirt and act like a carefree woman. However, could she draw the line if need be? It was a single night out of many in the future, but how often could she keep up her act. 

Raising her dark brow once more, she took a small drink of her beer. A wet tongue curled around the edge of her mouth and she slowly moved it along her top lip to clean the excess taste from it. The taste didn't bother her, she often drank piss poor beer, it was just the act of having something from the outside world in her belly that reminded her of home. Her smooth leg flipped over the other once more as she brought the beer bottle up to her mouth to drink once more, her eyes remained on the person known as Tobias, it was an interesting name. Quietly she rolled the fallen strap of her tank top back over her shoulder, "Pesky little thing, perhaps I should start wearing something that actually fits rather than looking like a promiscuous woman." 

Floor eleven was a floor Opal had been to many times as Vice Commander of Knights of the Blood Oath, so her being here now as the traitor that she was didn't seem to settle with her. She had waited for the day light hours to die down into nothingness where the moon was high waxing and the stars streaking across the lonely sky. Her features were soft, a woman with a black tank top and a pair of ripped knees jeans all that accompanied her. She wore her hair in a bun to keep the strands from shifting and weaving into the frequent breezes that happened on this floor. There she stood, looking up at the towering HQ of the Guild Hall of the Blood Oath Knights. 

Her mind was filled with racing images of her old life. The days of nostalgia hit her harder on certain days that others and she would frequent this place only to remind of what she was doing with her life. Many sought out her actions as an act of betrayal, and in her eyes that was ok. It was a burden she was used to carrying now, so long as they understood she was a traitor she could continue her work without stressing out over her plans being released. Yet she had told a few people of them now, perhaps too many ears have known who she was and that could cause some mischief down the line. But when that road appears, she would cross it.

Until then, everything was moving slowly. Sensui had no idea, no did the others. But she always had a nagging thought in the back of her head that Sensui knew and he loved making a mess of her wits. If there was one man that could see through all that she was, he was it. Her soft features began to melt at the sight, tightness and cold wrapped around her heart encasing it in a frozen tundra. Her eyes flickered once more as she brought her head up and nestled her arms around her body and with a turn of her body, she started to walk away from her past once again. 

Eyes lowered, face sullen expression, and she was not watching where she was going. A shoulder bumped into her and she grazed by offering only a simple apology that was muted by the passing of a strong wind, When she turned her head, she caught glimpse of the person she had bumped into. Her dark eyes followed his figure standing there, "Oh. So it's you. A little late in the night for you to be walking around by your lonesome."

It almost seemed as if all that coldness and anger she felt had just melted away as she framed a smile upon her black lips. Her body language metamorphosing into a more radiant and confident look as she folded her arms over her chest and leaned on one foot. 

@Itzal

Opal remained crowned Queen in her own little day dream. Her violet eyes shutting off to the world around her. The noise, the useless drabble all being drowned out as she sat there with the sweating bottle dripping carelessly onto the bar table. She felt the strap of her tank top rolling softly off her shoulder once more as her body moved. A quick attention to it brought the nuisance back over her milky shoulder and that is when she noticed a player with red hair looking over at her. Her violet eyes widened for a moment immediately thinking he was some kind of creeper. 

But the moment was fleeting. She perked herself up, and smiled, red lips turned and she lifted her bottle at him in knowledge that she noticed him. But Opal would not play a game of cat and mouse with this person. She did not know who he was, or his reasons for looking at her the way he was. Perhaps he was just a lonely soul looking for fun time tonight and Opal being Opal and wearing what she was, seemed to put her in a position where she might look like an easy target. Long fingers rolled through the knee length snow white hair upon her head as she her dark brows curved in interest the the player. From the corner of her eye she looked at him and brought in his image to forefront of her mind. 

"Good looking at least, looks a little young. Probably the business type. Clean cut, except for the mop of red hair upon his head. Lot's of red hair people in this world. Is it natural or dyed using alchemy agents? Can't tell a level of a player by just looking at them either. Hell I am dressed like a skank, can't really tell who is who in these situations." her thoughts continued to spill in her mind. She would bring the tip of the bottle up to her mouth only to find it was mostly empty. With her arm poised, she gave a simple click of her fingers alerting the bar tender she wanted another brew. There were at least three other bottles around her before being swept away and a new frosty cold beer was placed before her. Her eyes smiled in thanks, but she didn't say a word in recognition. Once more she took up the bottle and drank heavily of the contents. Her eyes once more befalling the stranger with red hair, "Ya know, it's not nice to stare at a lady while she is drinking. You have something to say, Stranger? Or you just admiring the beauty from the distance. I can tell you now I am far more attractive close up." Her red lips turned into a small smirk, her eyes fell off of him and at the stool next to her. Who knows, he might seem like a fun guy to talk to. Besides, tonight she wasn't Opal of Laughing Coffin. She wasn't Opal of the Front Lines. She was Vivian, a woman, nothing more and nothing less.  

Urbus was the focal point of Floor Two. It was a floor that Opal was quite used to now and navigating its unique medieval architecture and design. She knew the city like the back of her hand as she visited the slums and ghetto while she was known as The Black Panther. When she had finished her training in the mountains, the woman had a unmoveable sense of justice resound in her soul. She knew the darkness this game had created in the hearts of the people. Filth and impurity would run slick in their minds thinking they could get away with anything they wanted. There was no one to stop these people. So she instilled a sense of fear in them, hoping that she could clean the darkness of Urbus. However, as much as she cleansed the souls of people, darkness seemed to grow stronger. 

Prowling the rooftops at night and acting as like some kind of Boogeyman to players seemed rather strange. But Opal felt the desire to break this evil chain. Yet, she was a monstrous beauty. She would go far beyond the call of just 'scaring' people. If need be, she would seek their life and end it there. A beauty such as her who could whisper the most pleasant things into your ears, lure you out of the safe zone and slay with a single hit. Her tactics she learned from her Master Myoga, all of her skills as a Kunoichi were realized when she knew she had the power to take and control life. Those days...were long since past.

In the bar known as the Drunk Snake, the woman shifted her thighs and her long milky toned leg crossed over the other. She was nursing a long neck beer bottle and her black lips twisted into a nostalgic smile as she daydreamed her night away. It was twenty-four hours before the Boss Raid would begin, and she had a day to kill. She had trained what she could and now she would be once again throwing her life away for the greater good of Aincrad, but hoping she would be alive to see the days that would follow. The woman was not dressed in her armor, in fact she was more causally dressed in one would see at a Night Club or a bar in the real world. She had tight, ragged, denim shorts on, a blank tank top who's strap was defiant of staying on her shoulder. The occasional slip causing her finger to curve around the strap and to pull it back up to keep her natural 36DDs from spilling out and staying in place. The woman lifted her bottle once more and brought it to her lips. The rapping of her fingers drumming across the bar table as she continued her mindless day dreaming of the past, before all this nonsense came to be. 

Yet she was a little stressed, she had been telling people of her plans and her reasons of being in Laughing Coffin. Soon she would have to confront them and take them out. To rid the world of such darkness, could she do it to clean the impurities in her own soul? Violet eyes reflected back at her from the mirror across her way, she saw her beauty and darkness in that reflection. The long white hair no long in the pony tail as it usually was before going off to do some grinding quest. No, she was Vivian tonight. Not Opal, not the member of Laughing Coffin, not any of that. She just wanted one night where she was just an ordinary woman. Could this world give her just one night of that? 

@Able

Opal was unsure how she was going to react, but it seemed her words were enough to stop the bickering. She gave a low smile to Macradon, she would need to reach out to him at some other time, but for now they all had to prepare for the upcoming raid. The woman took the moment to look over equipment and down at her familiar, Jaken.

“Looks like we are going in legit today, Jaken. All my stats look good?”
“Perfect as can be though your mitigation is lacking a little bit, but otherwise with this party you have a high life expectancy rate.”

She was unsure if she felt relieved with his words but shrugged none the less. The lair of the wolf’s den seemed rather calm and ambient. She engaged her “Reveal” seeing through the crags of rock and looking over the acidic pools that seemed to loom all over the place. The torches began to flicker in the draft as she stood among her peers, for better or for worse to be called as such. Violet eyes continued to scan the area before giving into a small sigh.

She took a step forward like everyone else but her body slowly melted into the shadows as they entered the lair of the beast. Eventually she would be no longer in sight and hidden from the eyes of the players and the hundred eyed creature known as Malethis.

It would be wise for Calrex to start things off as he would usually go about his Tanking duty and begin with a Howl. But the woman shot a gaze towards the blazing crimson blur that was traversing the path towards the Raid Boss, “Stupid Bitch is gonna get herself killed!” Opal would have insisted that Calrex to go first, but it was almost like she was throwing her life away the moment this started. She rolled her eyes when the Crimson Maiden cut short of Malethis. Opal’s long winter colored hair shook along with her head as she pinched the bridge of her nose, “Great job whiffing.” Were her thoughts on the attack which did nothing to the beast.

Opal turned her attention to the Tank, she gave a mild duck and clamped her ear closest to the player before he allowing a rip roaring Howl to echo out into the lair. With the attention of the beast caught, the others could now begin to tally up their damage against the boss.

There were no weak souls here this day it seemed. Everyone was quite anxious to get things started; it was clear as day as Teayre would make her opening move without the aid of the Tank. Following behind Calrex was the bouncing of an Orange Crystal over the head of one player she put in quite the pickle of a predicament back on an earlier raid.  His attack was unlike Tea’s however. It was strong and without remorse for the creature. Cleaving with his sword in hand and granting a paralysis effect that would help save Calrex in the long run. With both attention towards the tank and paralyzed, the others could freely yank the HP from this Lupin Creature and be rid of it before things got too hairy.

She wondered who next on her team would go next; there were not many choices but two of the players remaining. Herself and Baldur. But as she was thinking on it, the woman took to the winds and roared for Malethis. He would bring no such merci to the raid boss much like Oikawa. With a shot of his blade, she watched as the massive creature with the many eyes took a deadly blow, orange slash marks riding heavily into his hide as the Genji Samurai creating a gaping wound of sorts. She was quite surprised by the player, but he was becoming a promising Front Liner, an apology was in order of course after the words she had said to him at the meeting. But Opal was too ignorant of such things. Perhaps she would just buy him a gift rather than expressing her apology to him. With that, it was up to her and her Masamune to make the next sweeping blow. But instead, she would stay in the wake of the darkness around her. She’ll find an opportune time to strike and now was not it.

As he said his pun, she swore she could feel a bead of sweat roll from off from her brow. "You are such...a weirdo." She said with a light chuckle. Bringing out such an emotion like happiness, Opal of the Laughing Coffin. Did humanity still strive in her heart? The light of the scene quickly fell back to a more serious expression upon her face. A glow of green surrounded her body as her Battle Healing kicked in, "Perhaps instead of making terrible puns, you should focus on our duel. Remember, you face a member of Laughing Coffin. Others would not go easy on you...where is that resolve to save everyone you can? Fight me as if your life depended on it!" 

With a roar, the violet nature of her Kusangi ignited once more, flowing forth her impressive power. The aura whipped around her body suddenly as the wind twisted and twirled around her figure. Rocketing off her left foot, she moved with quickness and grace. The smaller sword came close to Baldur, tagging him with a shot across his chest and his shirt. Another sweep of the blade, just as fast as the first, came ripping through his right arm as pixels flecked off his body from the damage. A blitz of attacks came from his core as the blade slashed and crossed over him dealing with the next five blows. 

When she turned around her arm lifted and she pointed her blade at him, the expression on her face changed, "Shall I give you a gift? I will give you despair. Haha...that actually was kinda morbid wasn't it?" 

Opals HP: 1008/1100 
EN: 82/110
Sword Art:   San Ge 8x7x2 - (14 Energy) = 112 Dmg - 48 Mit = 64 dmg
Opals Sheet

@Baldur HP: 675/855 [Bleed -24 HP/1 Turn]
EN: 71/84
Sword Art:
Baldur's Sheet

ID:  69676
BD:6 +2-2 = 6
CD: 7 [BH Procs +20 HP]

ID: 69615
BD: 10-2[Evasion]+ 2[Savvy] = [+2 Dmg]
CD: 10 [BH Procs:+20 HP]

Opal sighed as the fight was finally over. Just as Calrex had stated, there was a loud crunching of rock as the wall began to split open revealing a pathway out of the Castle. They didn't get to explore much, but one sub boss was enough for tonight. Opal walked closer to the exit and held her out blocking the exit, "It was good that you came by. I'm glad things between us aren't broken. I still have a path I must follow, but..." the woman swept hair from her face, "If she is important to you, Calrex. Do what you can to save her soul. Do what you must do as well should it come to that. I will stay out of the way for the time being, but if she becomes unhinged. I'll have to step in." Opal smiled and felt the cool breeze hit her face, eyes closed as she drew in the damp air as the thunder continued to roll in the heavens above. 

"We did good today, hopefully this will pan out well in the boss raid as well. Let's get the hell out of here before anything else decides to wake up." 

And with that, she removed her arm from the exit and headed out with her blue haired partner. She didn't know what lines would be crossed in the future, but she was certain that things could at least get better. There was still a hope in her heart for Teayre, as much as she disliked her. If she could be saved, she would step down from pursuing her. However, if another life is to be taken...Teayre will die. 

===

Thread Rewards: 1200 Col/2 [600 Each], 3 SP Each
Loot Rewards: 17 Mats, 29,800 Col [8 Mats Opal, 14,900 Col Opal] [9 Mats Cal, 14,900 Col Cal]
Dungeon Boss Loot: 3600 Col, 6 mats, 3 SP Each [1800 Col Opal, 3 Mats] [Cal 3 Mats, 1800 Col]