Lycan

The youth turned a frown at Esther's soft spoken words. Her little hands clutched at his coat and dense as he may be, he knew it as a sign for comfort. The swordsman brought his arm around her and pulled her close to him. The dip just under his collar bone lay open for her to rest her head.

"I didn't think someone like her would have had a lover," Lycan replied and immediately heard the carelessness of his words. "Sorry. That was insensitive... Did you know him? Her lover?"

The teen looked out to the sad song, a shadow among the snow causing him to raise a brow. Beyond Mari, another stood hidden and too far to make out. Perhaps another onlooker? Not often did someone put on such a harrowing and emotional display.

"I think you're just fine, Esther," Lycan said with a soft tone. "I'm sure knowing she's not alone is a comfort she appreciates."

His grip on the girl tightened as if to also show her she was not alone. Whatever the relationship between the two may be, Lycan wanted Esther to know he was there for her. 

Lycan's brow lowered at the sarcastic flaunt of skill. Ariel yawned, disarmed, and sat next to the white lion that got them lost in the most correct way possible. He scoffed with pursed lips.

"Well how is that fair?! You're just going to let me--?!"

The drone of beating wings increased exponentially. With wide eyes, Lycan dropped to the ground like a board and the Queen's stinger soared overhead as she made her pass. The teen mumbled an unintelligible string of swear words as he got off the dusty ground.

"Fine," he growled. "You want to play like that?"

He set his sword to his hip and chased after the Queen. She abruptly stopped her flight to turn and make another attacking pass. Before she could, Lycan joined her airborne and brought harbinger diagonally across the wasp's abdomen. In his momentum, he slammed into the Queen. She went to push her stinger into the teen, but as her wings kept her aloft, gravity pulled Lycan back to the ground.

He landed unscathed, buckling to his knees but quickly stood. Eyes locked on the last of the three, he prepared for another attack.

ID# 69006 results: // LD: 12 //

Lycan listened to the frontliner's mature response. He looked to the floor with downcast eyes, trying to relate but falling short. Lycan didn't owe this world anything, nor did he have the power to help free anyone. His gaze listed to the fabricated, digital walls as his mind processed Calrex's words.

"Are you afraid?" the teen seemingly asked as the emotion crept into him.

He shook his head and forced a nervous laugh.

"No, nevermind," he looked to the bluenette with a nervous smile as if to hide what stirred in his mind's eye.

The teen took a deep breath and pushed past Calrex back into the hallway. He looked toward the origin and unknown darkness with squinted eyes. The light, while ample enough to make out color, still lacked the clarity of day. 

"Y'know Calrex," Lycan began, his tones sounding chipper already. "You're too good for a place like this. I admire your strength."

He looked back to the bluenette, this time his smile looked pure and jovial. The teen understood where his companion came from and the weight he carried on his shoulders every day. Calrex wasn't some hero or possessed some alternative manners of thinking. He was just a man, just like Lycan. Their difference, perseverance. If Calrex could do it, so could the young swordsman.

"And I don't mean your stats. When I get strong enough, I hope I can stand beside you as an equal." 

'I-I'm sorry you are suffering ... if you need to hurt someone ... go ahead.'

Lycan flashed a glare at her, anger burning in his eyes. Then, like a ghost of the past, he saw her shaking, crying face. Small, weak, and timid, Rin extended the offer for him to channel his rage into her. His mind triggered a flash of memory and the girl's brunette hair exploded into lilac waves. Her eyes became an enchanting green and a completely different person sat before him.

"Esther..." his voice quaked. Lycan's eyes stung with tears as they crested to the edges of his lids. 

On all fours, he crawled toward Rin, eyes glistening. 

"I'm sorry," he murmured. She always wanted to fix things, to take away his pain no matter the cost. No matter his actions, she tried.

Lycan came up on Rin, pausing right in front of her as tears streamed down his face and his brows scrunched together in sorrow. His chest quivered with rapid breaths and his dull, sleepless eyes began to lose their light.

"Please..."

His arms opened wide, then wrapped around Rin on a firm embrace as if never wanting to let her go. His weight fell forward and into the girl, throwing off their balance.

"Please, forgive me..." he begged, voice trailing into a whisper. His arms grew loose form her body, eyes shut, and head fell limp into her chest. Fatigue finally claimed him, and Lycan slipped into unconsciousness.

"I'm sorry..." his lips formed but only a the softest breath escaped.

Thankfully, the conflict simmered into peace. A strange air between the blunette and his wife lingered with unknown intentions. The teen's brows pressed together in concern.

Baldur's calm, collected speech broke Lycan from his attempts to even understand what had transpired. He nodded to the samurai and with a hesitant gaze, turned toward the direction of their objective. Teayre commented on his left, and her voice alone sent a shiver down his spine. Something was clearly off about the woman. He felt as though her presence was a threat on his life and she could execute him with one stray breath. How Calrex was able to weather the redhead's storm perplexed the teen, but he hoped the bluenette capable enough to tame the beast inside his wife.

"Y-yeah, thanks," Lycan replied with an unintentional stutter. Teayre had shaken him to the core despite their previous exchange. His cockiness all but faded from his clammy and pale face.

Through his nerves, Lycan's ears picked up soft whimpers. As he ventured closer to the source, he made out a single panicked word.

"Mommy."

"This way," Lycan called out to the group, sprinting through the trees - part to save the girl and part to get distance between the crimson maiden that lurked in his shadow.

He weaved with finesse like the hunting days with his father. Finally, he arrived at a small opening which bore the entrance to a dark cavern. The cries and whimpers of a child echoed from deep within its shadowy confines.

"She's in there," the teen relayed. "I don't see any monsters yet but..."

He turned back, and his eyes deliberately drew to Teayre with a chill down his spine. He quickly flashed his eyes away from her, hands cold and damp with nerves.

"They could be hiding anywhere..."

'Like among us?!' he thought.

The teen shook off the idea with a clearing of his throat and turned toward the cave. He took a deep breath, and stepped inside, unaware of the black, beady eyes that watched from above in silence.

She left his arms cold and heavy like a corpse. His weary eyes shivered in disbelief and the rage that stormed around his mind quelled into silence.

"I should have told you sooner, the entirety of her belongs to me now."

His words hit Lycan like the finishing blow to a wounded animal. A tension that filled his chest snapped and Lycan's hands clutched at his heart. His thoughts shifted from anger, sadness, shock, and guilt in rapid succession. The roar of conflict grew around him, but the world felt more silent than ever to the teen.

"I did this..." he whimpered in a soft tone, hands shaking and mind tearing itself asunder.

"You'll just kill her, course...  You would have, wouldn't you? If Allison didn't intervene. My I am glad she is in our care now."

Addel, Allison, the poison... They all collected in a violent clash of memory. Esther's smile burnt into a flame of his rage, the feeling of her crying face under his boots painful of ever. His righteous actions to protect her now turning sour in the reality of this horrible world. All of Esther's talk of Aincrad's beauty became constricted and consumed by a vile darkness. The feeling of her lips on his became a stinging fire of regret mixed with the uncomfortable sorrow of nostalgia.

Lycan's hands quaked as they pressed against his lips.

"Tastes almost as sweet as she sme-"

The teen's breathing quickened and eyes lost focus in their forward stare. A brief interruption of the world tapped against his knee and he listed his gaze toward the black vial. From there, they drifted to the source of the madness gripping him. Her neck dangled from the chain clutched in Addel's hand and lifeless eyes stared back at him.

"I... She's dead..." he sputtered under the roar of other players joining the fray and Addel's screams of threat.

 " Run. Forget me. "

Lycan's eyes shot wide, chest feeling as if it were splitting in two. His hand reached out, wanting to grasp anything, something. Her life was there. She was there.

" I'm...sorry.. "

BROKEN.

Emotions shattered from his body in the form of tears. The storm gave in to the void and his head dropped low as his body forgot the will to function. Still...

"I will fix this..." his lips formed into a whisper, mind locked on only one scene from his recent past. No matter his aggression, no matter her affliction, Esther always wanted to help. She always wanted to fix everything.

A chill, same as the coldest nights or drip of death, crawled up Lycan's spine. It nested into the back of his skull and burned from behind his eyes. His hands, now steady, dried the last tears he would let fall at someone else's expense. He exhaled what felt like a haze of fog in winter and wrapped his fingers around the black vile. Vibrant, fierce, and far more threatening amber eyes pinned through Addel's pupils with a message. The violence and revenge that cooked in Lycan's mind could not be put to words, but his expression alone conveyed the entirety of his desire.

"Arc," Lycan began, voice stern and strong. "Let's go."

Lycan rose from his feet, pocketing Addel's toxin. For a fleeting moment, he let his gaze fall on Esther's broken and tortured soul.

"I will fix this," he mouthed, seeing the Esther he remembered instead of the one she had become.

"We're leaving." Lycan barked to Arc in a fashion the mercenary would recall. It was the same tone he used when they both fought the boar who was beyond their abilities at the time. Wasting no time, Lycan made for the door at full sprint, his face flat as slate and cold as ice.

Reward Summary:

2+ Posts: 6 SP, 100 Col

(Everyone except Teayre and Takao)

Less than 2 Posts: 1 SP, 200 Col

(Teayre & Takao)

"Prove you wrong..." Lycan said those words with a deep, rolling tone followed by a harrowing chuckle. Somehow, the challenge felt humorous.

"Proof?" he asked, his laughter borderline psychotic. His rage gripped his body, limbs moving without accord. Lycan's grip caught a fistful of Rin's clothes and he pulled her eye to eye with him.

"The proof you want is right here," he hissed, arm shaking with anger as she hung from it. "I'm a monster god damn it."

The words felt right coming from his lips like a truth never spoken, yet his stomach churned. A faint light at the back of his mind itched and the boy shook his head. He exhaled sharply as if in pain and let his grip free of her. Instead, he clasped the sides of his head. Reality of his actions brutally collided with the memories of his past outburst. He knew this feeling. 

"I want to kill you," he groaned as if struggling with the words while fighting an internal conflict.

He shouted at the top of his lungs, and his fist shot into the trunk of a nearby tree. The boughs above shook and leaves fluttered to the ground as <Immortal Object> appeared where he stuck.

"I want to kill someone! Someone has to pay!" his anguish apexed against his fatigue and the teen dropped to his knees. His breathing became labored, head heavy. The forest around began to spin.

"I just wanted to help..." more like a murmur, the words barely escaped his lips.

 ID# 68883 results: // LD: 5 //

As the day dragged on, the patrons of the lake busied about with one another. Several monster fish from the watery depths were slain, dragged to shore and staked over an open flame. Players came and went, some sharing fresh fish over the flicker of warm firelight. Some soaked in the isolated pools with friends and lions alike. Others skulked in the shadows from the distance, extending their small moment of bliss. The faux sun spanned across the sky, peaked and began to dip into the treeline.

The bright shimmer of mid day light grew dull and orange. Airborne monsters flocked from their hunting grounds to their nests, and the crystal clear shimmer of the lake turned to the illusion of liquid gold. The soaking pools that warmed in the high sun became cool and all manners of small aquatic critters flooded their shallow waters. The songs of birds quieted to the quintet of crickets and the warm breeze turned cool.

Lycan spent his time talking with @Galilea, Jenny, and the rambunctious Kimba. As the sun dipped, they parted ways. Now, the teen donned his full combat attire to stave off the chill of evening winds on his damp skin. He stood by the beach beside the fading flames created by @Hikoru. As he warmed his hands, he chuckled at the remnants of the monster fish slain by the self proclaimed ninja and his compatriots, @Calrex, @Oikawa, @Ariel - The Crowned Lion and @Macradon.

In the bliss of the day, Lycan didn't have much time to keep an eye on @Domarus and as he enjoyed the fire, he searched for the familiar lilac hair of @Esther.

Since their first encounter, Lycan lost track of where @Raze decided to go. He heard word of a woman slinking in the shadows named @Opal, and nodded a smile toward the man known as @Itzal. Sadly, he failed to get a chance to meet @Rin, @Beatbox, @Mossino, @Seul, @Jazz and @Juzt. He did, however, have the opportunity to at least greet the familiar face of @Baldur and apologize for singling out @Zandra. He was glad she made it though.

With a stretch of his arms and a yawn, Lycan leaned back on the beach. The day had worked all the stress free of his bones and warmed his body with memories of the outside. His eyes locked on the fading sun and thoughts of a warm bed flooded his mind. With a flick of his wrist, he produced his UI and tried to tap a message to all the players within the immediate area.
 

Quote

To: <SHOUT> Proximity Players
From: Lycan
Subject: Thank you
Message:

Hey guys, I just wanted to say thank you for coming out. It's getting awfully late, so I'm prolly going to turn in soon. You're welcome to stay and enjoy the evening if you like. I'm surprised the clearing has stayed monster-free this long. Dumb luck I guess? Anyway, thanks again. Hope to see all of you again soon.

Lastly, stay safe. I look forward to the day we can meet on the outside.

~Lycan

The teen hit send and covered his mouth with another long yawn.

"Today was a good day." Lycan smiled.

(( This is the last call post. If you have anything you want to say for your exit or tie up loose ends, have at it. I'll lock this thread on Saturday or if no one posts in 24 hours. ))

As Lycan waited to the drum of hammer against anvil, he gazed out the window of the Blazing Typhoon. Players and NPCs busied the streets and continued on their way without much care in the world.

'How many of them are actually out there fighting?' he wondered.

A serenade of digital chimes announced a message in Lycan's UI. The small yellow envelope icon flashed in his peripherals. He waved his hand to produce a series of menus and checked the new message. 
 

Quote

Your Item is Complete!
Name: Fenrir
ID: 68466
Item Type: One Hand Straight Sword
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: +2 Bleed, +1 Damage
Description: A straight longsword forged of a blued steel and named after the mythological Norse beast. Ancient runes are carved along the flat of the blade, leading to an ornate guard in the shape of a wolf. In the recesses of the wolves' eyes on each side, are a pair of small gems. Each gem gives off a faint, harrowing glow.

Lycan grinned and approached the counter. He found the item he was looking for and a pop up asked if he would like to retrieve his order. By accepting the prompt, the weight of Fenrir fell into his grip. The blade's blued steel felt heavy, but balanced at the point where blade met elegant hilt. The grip fit his hand like a second skin and Lycan nodded his head.

"Compliments to the smith!" he roared over the twang of forged metal.

He raised the blade to signify his retrieval of it and slid it into the sheath on his hip. The relocation from back to hip would take some getting used to, but not for long. Lycan turned, and left the smith's abode.

<+1 Fenrir>

Arc told him to calm, but Lycan's ears only heard the muffled notes of a voice. The world seemed shut off to him and the senses dull with the hue of red framing his vision. Esther, the timid girl with dreams of happiness and compassion crawled all over the snake that is Addel. As he spoke to her, his eyes met the teen's. A blaze of fury only an ocean could quell manifested deep in his bones. Heat scorched his skin and his deep exhales through clenched teeth may as well have been steam.

Something inside the boy snapped when Arc bolted from the table. To him, it felt like a valve had been cracked open on a boiler. His body began to move in Arc's wake like a shadow given life. His expression flattened, almost mechanically. When Arc's fist shot out, Lycan broke from his path and clamored to Esther's side.

"I'm sorry," he sputtered too fast to really understand. His mind knew he needed to apologize.

His hands opened a UI, flicked through tabs faster than Cardinal could keep up, and a small glass vial in the shape of a rose flashed into his hand. He wasted no time for reaction and grabbed her by the hair to tilt her head back. He bit the cork, removed it, and poured the thick, red fluid in her mouth. Vial empty, he clutched her mouth and pinched her nose.

"Swallow," he commanded as he quickly darted his attention to Arc and Addel, hoping his swift approach merited him enough time. 

Name: [Cure All]
Job Level: [Level 4]
Item ID: [68392]
Item Type: [Potion]
Tier: [1]
Quality: [Uncommon]
Enhancements: [Antidote]
Description: [A simple cherry flavored elixir stored in a clear glass flask shaped like a rose. It acts as a common antidote to nearly all afflictions. Given its broad spectrum use, the effect of said antidote may be weaker than a specialized counter agent.]
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/11137-f2-alc-lv4-beast-bane-brews/?do=findComment&comment=489513
Roll: 10 (9+1) 

Rin's words came out sharp and potent. Her small frame boasting a sudden strength in her voice and determination. Lycan grinned and a chuckle escaped his lips.

"Is that right?" he asked with a shake of his head.

He stood as she plucked the plant at his feet.

"You want a share of this?" Lycan pointed a thumb at his own chest, just above his heart. His patience waned in light of recent events.

"I kicked someone I care about in the face. Repeatedly." His words came out stern, but heavy with remorse and thick with self loathing. "Pointed a blade at her throat and lifted her clear off the ground."

He took a step toward Rin, his weight pressed deep into the earth beside her.

"I'm a monster, Rin. A monster. You don't want this burden. Get too close to me and I might do to you what I did to her..."

Lycan hung on the words, the reality of it lingering on his mind like a parasite. He backed away from the girl, likely intimidated. He had that effect.

"You don't want that..." he muttered, eyes listing away from the brunette.

ID# 68671 results: // LD: 1 // (FFS, come on)

The forest seemed to quiet from his outburst. Again, his inner fire spilled out against an unintended target. The stress and bottled anger brimming to be unleashed but no fair target for its fury. He turned back to the girl.

"You don't want this..." he repeated. 

Rolling

ID# 68655 results: +13 Bonus Materials

Hearing Arc's words comforted the boy. Knowing that one person didn't bare arms against him was more than enough to breathe life back into his hallowed eyes. Lycan lifted his head, nodding as Arc's passion boiled to the surface. With a wide sweep of his hand, the mercenary cast aside the shot glass of whiskey. Amber liquid spilled across the oaken table, but Lycan kept his gaze affixed on Arc.

Lycan inhaled deeply.

"You're right," he replied. "I can't let it control me anymore than it already has."

The teen clenched his fists, knuckles turning white. He recalled Allison's long, red hair, his narrow eyes behind thin glasses, and the unmistakable lisp of his serpentine voice.

"Allison," Lycan blurted. "Red hair, long. Glasses. Effeminate but sharp features. Slight lisp. He was the one that poisoned me."

Lycan paused, the memory of it all still hazy thanks to the mind altering affects. An image came to mind. A snake with a balancing scale... and a sword.

"There... there was a tattoo. Black. It had a snake, wrapped around a sword? There was a scale in it too. The merchant type, not the reptile kind."

Lycan struggled to visualize it with closed eyes. He winced, and with a deep sigh, shook his head. Yet, when he open his eyes, it was before him, clean as day.

"Like that," the swordsman pointed. Then, his stomach churned with intense and indescribable ferocity. His eyes dilated and hand shook.

The woman, a familiar face, with lilac hair strode behind Arc. The tattoo real as stone on her arm as she was pulled by the neck by a haunting apparition.

"Addel..." The words formed on Lycan's lips but his halted breath failed to give it sound.

He only watched in shock as the two walked over to the very place Lycan lashed out on Esther. He sat, forcing the girl to the ground as a ottoman. Legs propped on her back, he poured liquor on the soiled hardwood floor. Then, as though an animal, she lapped it up with an apparent zeal and desire.

Lycan's breath quickened. His body quaking as the pieces of the puzzle snapped together. The teen's vision blurred, muscles tensed, and the pit of his stomach became a complete void. Doubt, regret, hate, guilt, and horror slammed into his core with a paralyzing force.

"A-adell.." Lycan repeated with clenched teeth. A seething hatred began to boil and burn. Like a furnace rekindled, color washed over Lycan's pale skin and a renewed energy grew within. He shot a fierce, blazing gaze toward arc, chest heaving. He needn't say a word, for it was plain in the fire of his amber eyes.

'I'm going to kill him.'

The teen looked to the smith wide eyed as the blade phased into existence in front of him. He nearly dropped it out of surprise, juggling it in the air for a moment before perching a firm grip on the hilt. It felt... right in his hands. Lycan looked from the dagger to the smith in disbelief, his attentions drifting to the orange crystal hovering above Oikawa's head. A mix of gratitude, concern, and confusion twisted the young boy's expression.

"How are you so giving with-- Nevermind." Lycan shook his head with a smile.

"You haven't changed at all," he muttered quietly, accepting the dagger into his inventory. 

"You got it, Oikawa. I'll see you on the front lines in due time."

With an informal salute, Lycan exited the shop.

<+1 Wolf's Bane>

 

The Grand Forge had changed locations since Lycan last walked through its doors. Having seen Oikawa in the fields that day, the teen was reluctant to visit it again. However, since the Blazing Typhoon took its sweet time hammering out Lycan's order, he needed something to fill in the blanks. He still had the Twin Grips, but the dull thud of fists couldn't match the drag of a blade across flesh and bone. Lycan needed something edged. He purchased Harbinger here, and hoped he'd find another weapon to fit his aesthetic.

The bell chimed as he entered. The heat of the forge and tangy, bitter scent of flux and iron filled his nostrils. The teen looked around for the blonde owner. No where to be found, he assumed the craftsman to be tending to his trade.

Lycan perused the various wares as they lay on walls or display cases. He halted at one in particular, a dagger molded and shaped from the ivory of a massive wolf. Curved, but not overly so, its tip looked pinpoint and edge ever so slightly serrated.

"This one," Lycan murmured.

"How much for this one?!'' he shouted over the roar of the forge.

On September 7, 2016 at 1:44 PM, Hakai said:

Sorry, this is my first time crafting in months, and ive never appraised before. All items were good quality heavy armor bought from a merchant. (And i dont know what you mean by stocking rolls, so i cant address that. If you mean saving up rolls, these are all from today, and if you mean the amount of rolls, merchant doesnt have a limit as to how many they can do a day. The previous post includes the retries and locks, but from what ive seen on other merchants eval pages those arent necessary)

  Hide contents

 

  Hide contents

 

Steel Chestplate: Heavy armor (Tier 2), 0 Enhancements

Appraised for 1 slot of Regen

Rolls: 

ID# 67177 results:

 Craft: 12 Success! = Regen Armor: 1 Slot Regen

LD: 8

Name: Regen Armor

Your Profession: Merchant

Your Rank: 2

ID: See Above

Roll: See Above

Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 2

Quality: Uncommon

Enhancements: 18 Regen

Description: A piece of white steel armor with golden vines painted on it.

Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/12895-f1-r1-merchant-corrupted-commissions-closed/?do=findComment&comment=486833

 

  Hide contents

Steel Chestplate: Heavy armor (Tier 2), 0 Enhancements

Appraised for 1 Thorns, 1 Regen, and 1 Heavy Momentum

Rolls:

ID# 67185 results:

 Craft: 10 Success!

 Loot: 16 Thorns

 

ID# 67187 results:

 Battle: 6

 Craft: 12 Success!

LD: 8 Regen

 

ID# 67189 results:

 Craft: 12 Success!

LD: 12  Heavy Momentum

Name: Amalgamation Armor

Your Profession: Merchant

Your Rank: 2

ID: See Above

Roll: See Above

Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 2

Quality: Perfect

Enhancements: 18 Regen, 14 Thorns, 2 Heavy Momentum

Description: A piece of rainbow colored steel armor.

Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/12895-f1-r1-merchant-corrupted-commissions-closed/?do=findComment&comment=486833

 

 

  Hide contents

 

Steel Gauntlet: Heavy armor (Tier 2), 0 Enhancements

Appraised for 1 slot of Lifemend

Rolls:

ID# 67192 results:

 Battle: 10

 Craft: 12 Demonic enhancement

 Loot: 10

Name: Healers Touch

Your Profession: Merchant

Your Rank: 2

ID: See Above

Roll: See Above

Item Type: Heavy Armor
Tier: 2

Quality: Uncommon

Enhancements: 10 Lifemend

Description: A white steel gauntlet with golden vines painted on it.

Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/12895-f1-r1-merchant-corrupted-commissions-closed/?do=findComment&comment=486833

 

 

 

 

 

Approved

Lycan felt Rin start to stagger due to his inability to carry himself. He righted, and broke free from her crooked arm. The teen staggered for a moment, almost losing balance entirely. A tree caught him before he tumbled and Lycan took a moment to collect himself.

"I'm not going to weigh you down too," he commented. 

The teen closed his weary eyes for a brief moment, took a deep breath, and stood of his own accord. While he did, Rin mentioned Esther's name and he clutched at his coat where his heart beat rapidly. His teeth clenched. Her name hurt him, the guilt hurt him. How could he do something like that to someone like her?

"I'm... I'm not a killer." His confession sounded hesitant, almost as if he didn't believe it. "It was poison... Something they did to me and I was so angry.... So very angry..."

He shook his head, trying to keep himself awake.

"Poison, right. Nightshade, hemlock, and venom... Frog or snake will do." Lycan listed off his ingredients as his eyes focused on their surroundings.

 ID# 68500 results: // LD: 16 //

 His eyes settled on some red among the green foliage. He made his way over to it and crouched down beside it. Nightshade? No...

"Over here," he called to Rin. "These should make a good dye."

+1 Material to Rin

Lycan looked at the shot of amber alcohol as Arc slid it to him. He eyes it for some time, thoughts of poison spinning in his mind. The teen looked up to scan the room for familiar faces, a read head in particular. Fortunately, he didn't recognize a soul aside from Arc. Again, his eyes landed in the smokey beverage in front of him. Lycan felt his stomach turn.

"I'm good," he commented before pushing the shot back at Arc. "More fun for you right?"

He tried to smile and offer a chuckle, but both fell flat and hollow. Instead, he placed his head in his hands and rubbed at tired cheeks. He looked up to Arc with utter defeat.

"How is she?" he asked.

Off all the questions, he opted for that one. Though, to be fair, Arc shouldn't 'be asked first. Lycan took a dee breath.

"Before you ask, it wasn't me. I mean... It was, but... fu--..."

Lycan buried his face in folded arms upon the table.

"Poison... Something that trapped me in myself... I had to watch... The things I said..." His voice came out muffled.

"I..." He paused, struggling with the words. "I almost killed her, man. I almost killed someone."

11 minutes ago, Arc said:

Name:  Arc

Your Profession: Tailor

Your Rank: 1

ID:  ID# 68494

Roll: 10

Item Type: Cloth Armor
Tier: 1

Quality: Uncommon

Enhancements: +1 Savvy

Description:  These off-gray bandages are meant to silence the movements of a killer during close quarters combat while allowing them to move more freely.

Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/13315-quartermasters-provisions-f5/

Approved.

Lycan rose to his feet, the red mark on his chest hissing with damage. Lycan gripped it as though he were bleeding. With a snarl, he turned his attention back on the boar who caught his gaze with his own. The best began to charge.

"Damn," he cursed under his breath. "I'm going wide." He called out to Arc.

The swine charged, snorting and tusked lowered to run him through. Lycan braced, his form tight. The distance closed and the teen shot out into a roll. He snapped to his feet and held Harbinger ready for another Vertical Arc. This time, Cardinal's assist failed to activate. With a bite of his lip, Lycan manually lashed out with his blade, catching the boar by his rump.

The pig squealed as it tried to halt his momentum.

"Arc!" Lycan roared. "I'm out of energy! We need a tactical retreat or we'll never down this thing!"

Lycan looked as his last attack barely lowered his enemy's HP bar. With the abysmal regen rate of energy mid battle, the boars had won by attrition. Should Arc, for some reason, see fit to remain in combat, they would be at it til the hours of twilight. Lycan knew, however, his new companion to have a far keener tactical mind.

Looking to Arc for confirmation, Lycan readied himself for a sprint.

Before he had a chance to deny her, Rin crooked his arm and he felt compelled to stagger along with her.

'She going to kill me? Poison me? Is she working with Addel?' his mind raced.

He looked at her harmless smile, the tone of her voice genuinely concerned. She pulled him onward, adamant to rid him of his weariness and fatigue. Lycan's stomach sank. If only she knew the weight on his shoulders. No cup of soup or rest could sure him of his self loathing and guilt.

"Wait! Hold on!" he cried before his body flooded his senses with relief. He needed this. His body needed this. The stranger was right. But still...

"Who are you?" Lycan asked. He had to know. His panic and paranioa had to know. "You know nothing about me. I know nothing about you. Why? Why help a stranger? I could have killed someone..."

Lycan's mind drifted to the memory of his blade at Esther's throat. He remembered the feeling of her crying face snuffed out underneath his boots. Nausea spun in his stomach and he shook his head. All the while, Rin continued to lead him as he staggered.

"Why...?" he murmured... "Why are people so nice to me...? You'll only get hurt..." His last sentence left his mouth as a faint whisper as his eyes fluttered, struggling to remain awake.

Lycan smiled at @Galilea's remark.

"How was I to know?" Lycan added with a crass grin and a shrug of his shoulders.

"M-me?" Jenny replied. "O-oh no... I just gather for my friends. I have a dagger, b-but I don't like using it..."

"Hah! Sounds like someone I know," Lycan chuckled.

"It doesn't bother you?" she retorted to the two.

"Why would it? Just because you're not fighting for us to get out of here, you're still doing something. Now if you said you were just sitting in your room all day in silence, that might be another story. Right Galile--"

KERSPLASH!

"Sweet mother--!!" Lycan threw his hands up to ward off the wall of water that washed his way. Failing at the attempt and getting his hair soaked again, Lycan let his arms flop into the water with an irritated scowl on his face.

It was a blur of white, but as Kimba popped her head out of the water, Lycan planted a palm over his face and shook his head.

"Aren't cats supposed to hate water?!" Lycan shouted into his muffled palm.

"I-- It's a monster!" Jenny shouted, springing up from her seat in an attempt to flee. Lycan's hands shot out and gripped the girl by the hand.

"Woah woah! Easy there! Kimba may be terrible with directions and a lazy troublemaker, but she's no monster."

Jenny halted, her free hand clutched over her chest and panic in her eyes.

"Come on," he cooed. "Relax, think of her like a big cat... or... dog... or... whatever she is." Lycan turned to an amused white lioness. "Seriously, cats don't like water. What are you?"

Jenny let out a faint giggle at the exchange and slowly lowered herself back into the pool. She gave Lycan a nervous smile, red flushing her cheeks.

"T-Thanks," she stammered.

"Don't worry about it. Now..." Lycan let Jenny's hand free to cup his mouth. "AAAARRRIIIIEEEELLLL!!!!!" he shouted.

"COME GET YOUR WET CAT!!!"

@Ariel - The Crowned Lion

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 ID# 68485 results: +17 Bonus Mats