Snow

This time, Snow took a moment to stand. She lifted her leg and gripped her ankle to stretch out her quads. Sitting like that for a period of times tended to put a stiffness in the muscles. Even in this world, the body had its subtle quirks and limitations. The young Valkyrie let her foot down and stretched out the opposing leg. As she did, she saw a player out in the fields dismiss a boar with their dagger. As they bent down to retrieve their loot, the young man caught a glimpse of her. With a shift of his eyes, he finally waved at her.

Snow let her leg free and smiled as she waved back. The player nodded and before he took a step toward her, another boar barreled at him. The man startled, spun around, and engaged the boar with a parry. Snow softly laughed to herself which transitioned into a yawn. She stretched out her arms with the yawn and as she finished, another plant burst into data beside her.

Snow sighed and got back to work. She lowered herself to her knees, produced another seed, and planted it in the fertile soil.

Snow startled slightly at the newcomer's approach.

"Oh, hello!" she responded, still processing his words. Then, she took a deep breath and sighed. "Yeah, I'm okay... It was just a quest, and even if they're NPCs I feel bad making promises I can't keep."

She shook her head.

"I mean, the quest will wait, but the NPCs here are almost like people. I must sound silly saying that."

The young blonde took a moment to look over the stranger. The green chevron above his head indicated he was in fact a player and not another NPC. Judging by the look in his eyes and comfortable posture, he wasn't your run of the mill player. In comparison to herself, Snow could feel that he was leagues away from her in terms of experience. It wasn't much to say, considering most of the other players she met were several years ahead of her in terms of battles seen.

"I'm sorry, where are my manners?" she suddenly stammered in her soft Czech accent. "My name's Snow. Pleasure to meet you, sir."

The blonde gave him a slight bow of her body in formal custom she had adapted to in Kyoto, then offered a warm smile.

Snow nodded to Lawfer and moved in for another jab of her spear. She tried to be quick, but the Nepent variant proved far more elusive. Again, its collection of vines for legs shifted it from harm's way while also returning a volley of whiplashes of its own. The young Valkyrie hopped free safely away from the first blow and strode to avoid the second lash. Luckily, the creature could move fast, but its attacks were telegraphed and predictable.

"Why is this thing so fast?" Snow commented. "Switch in, Lawfer. Try to cleave off the <<Ovule>> on the top of its head!"

Snow made way for her partner, hoping his experience would be enough to compensate for the creature's unnatural evasion.
 

<<Combat Engaged>>
  ID# 50558: [] BD: 4+1SVY [] MD: 2[]
Basic Attack-Miss- -2EN

Nepent Variant: [] 15/15 HP [] 5 DMG [] 2 MIT []

Snow: [] 12/12 HP [] 1/3 EN [] 0 Hate []
Lawfer: [] 64/64 HP [] 12/16 EN [] 0 Hate []

Soft violin and piano played in the warm and welcoming confines of her newly acquired sushi bar. Snow busied herself with preparations in the empty restaurant as her first two customers would be Opal and one of her friends. Since the teen had yet to produce any fancy dishes or trademark rolls, she quickly tamped down the most basic of sushi - California Rolls. The blonde lifted the bamboo sushi mat from the finished roll and grabbed her incredibly honed knife. With a few quick taps, the rolls split into perfect portions to which Snow dashed a sprinkle of roasted sesame on top. Fished, Snow plated the pieces in an intricate swirl pattern and nested butter lettuce between the rolls to almost create the image of a flower.

The blonde picked up the platter and carried it over to the table nearest the hearth and set it in the middle. She moved the glass decor piece containing the floating lotus and floating candles against the wall to make room. Snow then fetched three square plates, chopsticks, wasabi, and her own house soy mixture to set on the table. The teen stepped back to admire the presentation, hoping to impress her new acquaintances & friends. With a nod, she returned to the prep bar and began to clean up.

Snow dried the edge of the santoku knife and carefully made a pass along its razor edge with the whetstone to maintain its precise cutting power. She carefully set it with the rest when a notion struck her like a bolt of lightning.

"Sake!" she exclaimed. Snow rushed into the kitchen behind the visible prep bar and ran her finger through the different bottles of sake she had collected. Her finger fell on a mid grade bottle where she paused for a bit. She shook her head and went for something a little better. Snow fetched an upper end bottle, a small ceramic decanter, and a few sake dishes. She rushed them to the table where she poured the warm sake into the decanter and set out the small sake cups.

As she finished, she turned to return the bottle to the back room and Opal's message appeared. Snow halted and read through it.

Then, after dismissing it, Snow turned back to the table and set the nearly full bottle of sake near the lotus decor.

"I have a feeling this night is going to get... interesting..." Snow mumbled, eyeing the alcohol.

Finally, preparations were complete. Snow took a seat at the table near the burning hearth and summoned her menu. A few quick taps removed her apron, her chef's coat, and put her in her favorite vanity attire: Tied off white shirt, jean shorts with white belt, lashed up boots, and trademark red framed glasses. 

"Now, we wait!"

Roaring, tumbling, scattering ball of little brown hunger driven fury barreled its way toward Snow. In any manner of introductions to a girl that sparsely ventured higher than the fourth floor of her shop, this one certainly set the mood for what to expect. Her first reaction was paralysis. She could only watch in adorable horror as the dog sized cub scrambled up to her. She meant to close the door on it until the ball of fluff collided with her legs and sent her staggering inside the tavern. With a click, the door shut and Snow's color washed from her face.

"A room of strangers, a deadly bear! What've I do--"

She stopped in the middle of her panicked thoughts as the cub thumped on its haunches, shook its head, and proceeded to point in its own mouth like an infant.

"Uh..." was the extent the blonde could articulate.

Then, like a booming thunder, a large red-headed man beckoned to the young Valkyrie. He made mention to the bear to which Snow set her gaze upon and then back to its master. Strangely, the two were a fit for one another. Both looked like condensed, muscular power personified.

"S-sure," the girl stammered in reply to Mack's beckoning only to find her small frame jerked elsewhere like a rag doll.

Snow found her arm now attached to a more familiar face as Opal dragged guided her through the tavern. Meanwhile, Snow caught a glimpse of Lawfer and an unknown male making mention to her as a new edition. She knew she wasn't officially drafted and all the sudden input was making her head spin. She thought she had anxiety trying to deal with problems in the Town of Beginnings. That was nothing by comparison.

Then, Opal began a lightning round of introductions. Pointed fingers, names, and casual waves to unknown figures went around the room.

"Hell-" she managed toward Xion.

"Nice to see yo--" she nearly completed toward Lawfer.

She skipped words and mearly managed a half wave to Beoreson before being "guided" toward the final body in the building.

"Hi, Hirr--" Snow began, but Opal, the strong woman she was and so very much like Daire, carried on Snow's introduction for her. Considering how hard Snow's heart was beating from intimidation and panic, it was likely for the better.

While Opal finished her announcement, Snow had just the slightest of moments to catch her breath and calm her nerves. The girl's hand nearly clutched her her own chest above her heart as if to keep it from leaping out onto the table and flop around before Chewie would make a snack of it. When Opal smiled at her, Snow felt eased. Finally, something familiar.

"Thanks Opal..." Snow timidly replied. "Had I known there were so many people here, I would have PMed you before just coming in... I hope I didn't interrupt anything important."

The Vice Commander shook her head assuredly, before making mention of Mack. With a slight nudge, Snow staggered in the direction where Mack sat, Chewie eyeing her form a much safer distance. The young Valkyrie took one last pass at the new faces before making her way through the empty tables and chairs to the 3rd Commander. Boy was he a large man.

Snow stopped at his table, unsure if it would be rude to just take a seat or if she should stand. Maybe he'd feed her to the bear? 

Snow nervously waved, keeping her hands close to her body as possible.

"H-Hello," she managed with a slight bow to Mack. "I-It's nice to meet you. You said you wanted to see me?"

The teen's hands nearly white knuckled, trying to keep her anxiety at bay. Too many new things too quickly.

[[OOC: Sorry its so long!!! @~@; So many people!]]
 

The invite was sent only a few days after Opal and her met on the first floor. In fact, shortly after the blonde turned in her first quest to Angel, the two of them sat down together at the Inn and continued their evening together. She had a few drinks, Snow had a few waters, it was a good time. The young phalanx wasn't sure if it was just Opal's cheery demeanor after some fine liquor or if she actually meant it, but the sassy warrior invited the novice adventurer to attend a meeting on the eleventh floor. The Vice Commander stated it would be a casual gathering and armor would not be needed.

Snow had a few days to think it over, but as the light faded from the warp gate, the young blonde stood there wearing her tied off, ragged top, her jean shorts with white belt, and lashed on boots. With a nudge of her red glasses, she pulled up the map of Taft. On it blinked the marker Opal set days prior.

"No big deal," Snow encouraged herself. "They are all probably just like Lawfer and Opal... Yeah. Nice people. The Blood part is just a name."

The blond nodded and closed out her menu.

"Yeah, just a name..."

Moments later, she stood outside the designated tavern. Muffled voices of the occupants made its way through the solid oak doors. Snow took a deep breath, one hand close to her chest, the other on the handle. With a bit lower lip, she clicked the door open and peaked her head in.

"Hello?" she sheepishly called out to the many unfamiliar faces within.

Snow nodded to her ally and focus on the Nepent. She carried her small frame within range and swung the weight of her spear at the creature. Again, the elusive thing scurried from damage as Snow's spear found only dirt and leaves. Her body jostled against the haft of the spear from the shock of a dead blow. While not damaging, Snow let out a soft yelp as her own spear smacked against her side.

The Nepent variant took the opportunity to lash out at Snow, but to avoid the damage, the girl let go of her rooted weapon and backstepped. The two vines snapped against the oak of her spear and missed her completely. As a bonus, it loosed it from the soil enough for Snow to pry it free. She readied her weapon and looked to Lawfer for help.

"It's fast, be careful!" she called out. She knew something like this was no match for Lawfer, but felt the need to call out regardless. Who knows when a few HP would decide between life and death?

 ID# 50350: [] BD: 4 [] MD: 6[]
+1 SVY Active
+2 EVA Active

Basic Attack: -2 Energy (Miss)
~= Miss=~
Nepent Variant: [] 15/15 HP [] 5 DMG [] 2 MIT []

~= Mob Miss =~

Snow: [] 12/12 HP [] 0/3 EN [] 0 Hate []
Lawfer: [] 64/64 HP [] 13/16 EN [] 0 Hate []

 Snow's Rotating Sushi Bar

Description

The Fourth Floor of Aincrad, closely resembling the winter wonderlands Snow so fondly remembered in her birthplace of Czech Republic, houses a small and quaint little building. In the resemblance the cottages to the left and right, Snow's Rotating Sushi Bar is starkly contrasted by the red signs commonly found in Japan. Slightly out of place, the Eastern decorated building represents Snow's life as a student studying abroad in Kyoto. While there, she learned to appreciate the colorful and precisely executed Japanese cuisine. Mixing notes of her origin with influence of her most recent life, Snow's Rotating Sushi Bar captures the young blonde's history and welcoming demeanor.

Once opened with the soft chime of a brass bell fixed to the inside of the door, patrons can enjoy the warmth of a constantly burning hearth to the back of the restaurant. With walls painted a mixture of soft blues and contrasting maroons, patrons can find several illustrations hanging every several feet. Drawn or painted by the owner herself, Snow displays her true talent for all to see. Images of her home in the real world, memorable places in Kyoto, and faces of friends and loved ones can be found in the illustrations. Several tables and chairs line the wall to the left as patrons enter. On top of each table is a small glass dish partially filled with water. Within the dishes, lotus blossoms and candles float atop the water's surface adding both ambient light and a subtle aroma. 

However, the pride and joy of Snow's Rotating Sushi Bar is the bar itself. With a counter made of deep cherry wood and lacquered to a polished shine, Snow stands on the opposite side and greets in the traditional Japanese manner. A glass case filled with ingredients can be seen as well has her tools of the trade. As you sit at the bar, you notice a belt that rotates across the room and hooks around the glass case where Snow busily works. As she finishes a roll, she puts a pair of pieces on a plate and places it on the belt. The longer she works, the more variety spins around, permitting you to pick whichever suits your fancy.

Rice cookers hiss with steam and nori lay at the ready to create any roll of your choosing. For those not interested in sushi, a menu stands behind her with a short list of available dishes and combinations. A small fabric divider can be seen in a doorway behind the girl. From the door, savory aromas waft into the lobby of chicken and pork katsu, tempura, and teriyaki. Custom orders are welcome and encouraged through a little stand and slot near the front door.

In the corner, several wooden walls with paper windows frame off a small private section. Inside, the floor is lined with tatami mats, and a kotatsu table able to seat eight in the traditional Japanese manner. The back wall has a tall, ornate table with a floral centerpiece and just enough space to hold extra condiments, napkins, chopsticks, and small confections. Underneath it, patrons can find stacks of small sitting pillows to use around the table. This room is usually reserved for small groups and guilds for meetings, but is anyone can book the room for their use by contacting Snow via private message. 

Chef Level & Success

Currently Rotating Sushi & Snacks

Custom Orders

Customer Records & Expenses

Quote

Snow's Special Awards!!!

For anyone purchasing a <<Fortune Cookie>>, there are lucky lotto numbers on the back of each one. If you use that cookie in a thread AND match the lucky lotto number with a roll in that thread, you will win THREE FREE CUSTOM SINGLE SERVINGS --or-- ONE FEAST from Snow's Rotating Sushi Bar.

To Redeem:
1. RP entering Snow's Rotating Sushi Bar
2. In a spoiler tag, link your original purchase and post with matching roll
3. Fill out three orders, pick out three pre-made items, or one custom feast. 
4. Come back again soon!
 

Friendly Note:

I welcome any and all patrons to role play as they see fit.
If you do not wish to make a purchase, but wish to simply role play in my restaurant, you are more than welcome.
I will try to help serve you the best I can.
So, if you would like to bring your dates, please do! We also serve sake, beer, and cocktails to those of age.
Please, no fighting or crude language and respect the property.
We serve complimentary green tea to any patron willing to stop by.
Lastly, thank you for visiting Snow's Rotating Sushi Bar.

~Snow

"Thank you sir! I'll put your craftsmanship to good use!" Snow quipped as she hit accept. She took a moment to appreciate the trade completed window with the spear's name. Snow now had something worth being proud of. 

The girl wasted no time swapping out her equipment so that the cerulean weapon manifested on her back. With a glance over her shoulder, she produced it in hand and hefted its familiar weight. With the light of excitement clear on her face, she smiled to Owikawa.

"I love it! I'll be sure to come back again!"

Then, with a curt bow and a pivot of her heels, Snow made way for the door. In her hands, she tightly clenched <<Extension of the Storm>>

+1 <<Extension of the Storm>>

Content with the planted seed, Snow shuffled herself over to the next plant. Before she checked its status, a squeal in the distance caught her attention. She looked up to witness one of the wolf type monsters clutching one of the boars on the hind quarters. The boar roared and tried to escape to no avail. It only took seconds for the animal to lock up, then scatter into deleted ash. In its wake, the wolf took a prone position and began to gnaw on a leg of ham. While not the most graphic display of predator vs prey, Snow felt uneased by what transpired. She glanced behind her to check if her spear remained.

With a relieved sigh, she turned back to the plant in front of her as it too reduced to digital ash. Snow huffed in disapproval. The players that were supposed to maintain this garden were surely slacking off. With a few reluctant swipes and presses in her menu, Snow produced another seed. She pressed a hole in the dirt, dropped the seed in, and tamped it down.

<<Out of Combat>>
Snow: [] 12/12 HP [] 2/3 EN []

Right after her blow, Lawfer complimented with one of his own. The team worked in perfect tandem and before the strange little creatures could retaliate, they were dashed to glimmering shards. The threat of combat now gone, Snow planted the pommel of her spear into the soft forest soil. She put some of her weight on it as she looked to her teammate.

"Thanks!" she replied with a smile.

Then, the same brush which produced the first pack of critters began to rustle. Snow snapped her attention to it, and tugged her weapon from the ground.

 ID# 50258: [] BD:4 [] MD: 5 []

She was too slow on the draw and two lengthy vines lashed out from the brush. Instinctively, Snow held her spear's haft in front of her for protection. Luckily, both vines slapped the ground beside her with a mighty force. Opening her eyes after not feeling the pain of the blow, Snow witnessed another Nepent emerge. This time, the creature was alone, but atop its head blossomed a massive crimson flower.

"That has to be be the variant!" Snow called out, stating the obvious.

The girl stepped forward and made a lunge. Unlike the lesser Nepents, this one scrambled itself out of the way with a squirm of its strange tentacle legs. Which Snow's spear still extended, the creature raised its vine arms to retaliate.

<<Combat Engaged>>

Basic Attack: -2 Energy (Miss)
~= Miss=~
Nepent Variant: [] 15/15 HP [] 5 DMG [] 2 MIT []

~= Mob Miss =~

Snow: [] 12/12 HP [] 2/3 EN [] 0 Hate []
Lawfer: [] 64/64 HP [] 14/16 EN [] 0 Hate []

With a smile and a rush in her step, Snow opened the door to the Gurando Foji. Her crystalline gaze immediately fell on the blonde smith behind the counter. She approached him, trying to calm her hurried breaths. With a warm smile and a twinkle of excitement in her eyes, Snow opened her menu. With a few swipes and presses, she produced six crafting materials wrapped in little paper packages onto his counter.

"Hello!" she chirped. "I just finished my first quest! I have enough to pay for the spear you put on hold for me! << Extension of the Storm >>!"

Never before had she been so excited to make a purchase. With Opal's help and Lawfer's positive reinforcement, the young Valkyrie was anxious to get her training underway.

- (6) Materials

Results

Opal Gains 1 SP
Opal Gains 200 Col
Snow Gains 2 SP
Snow Gains Profession: <<Cooking>>
Snow Gains 2,100 Col
Snow Gains 6 Materials

<<Making a Living>>
Snow Gains X Bonus Materials

Snow's cheeks were kissed with a rosy hue when Opal hip checked her at the comment. Since coming to Aincrad, dating had been an idea far from her mind. Most of the other Refugees didn't handle their predicament well, none the less a prospect at a relationship. Many of them were also younger than her and often, Snow played a big sister role to the little ones. The prospect of finding a boyfriend didn't occur to her until now, at Opal's playful comment.

The hue of her cheeks deepened. Luckily, Opal continued without looking for Snow's reaction. It provided enough time for the girl to pat her face free of the discomfort.

However, as Opal continued, she mentioned her siblings on the outside. Snow never had such a luxury, but always wondered what it would be like. Then, Opal inferred that Snow would have made an acceptable sister. Instead of a rosy hue in her cheeks, Snow felt a warmth of acceptance. Perhaps Daire really did send someone to be her rock - her pillar of support when Snow felt she could go no further. The young valkyrie smiled.

"I'm glad too," she remarked softly and with timid notes.

As they crossed back over into the safe zone, Snow watched Opal switch to her more comfortable attire. With a sigh of relief, Snow also followed suit. She navigated her menus and quickly selected her usual attire. While she was grateful for Hikoru's gift, the aesthetic of black went against her personal preferences. Plus, the hoodie on this warm day was quite stifling. With a shift of light, Snow's attire materialized.

"Alright, will do Opal," the blonde replied. She walked past her new friend and began toward Angel's cafe. Before the ventured too far, Snow looked back to the strong femme fatale.

"And thanks again. I hope we get to do something like this more often."

Snow smiled warmly, then continued back toward the cafe where she would begin her journey as a cook on Aincrad.

"I've met some amazing people, Daire," Snow internalized. "I see now why you decided to leave the Refuge. It's not as scary out here as everyone made it sound. I've made friends. I've learned to fight. I wish you could see me. I know you'd be proud."

{Fin~}

Snow, freshly warped into the second floor, stood idly by the warp gate as a fresh forest breeze danced around her and through her blonde locks. She lifted a hand to tame whatever strays the wind managed to loose. With a deep breath of the clean air, a smile found its way on her features. The young phalanx nodded her head in a determined manner.

"Floor two, Daire," Snow internally spoke to her dearly departed. "You would be proud of how far I've come."

Snow began her first steps in the City of Urbus. Unlike the Town of Beginnings, which was massive, Urbus was significantly smaller. It was nestled in crater of unknown origin at the base of a large mountain. The warp gate remained nestled at the rear of the city, backed against the mountain cliff side. Compared to the First Floor's Romanesque architecture, buildings in Urbus reminded snow of the old English buildings commonly depicted in movies with knights or castles. Walls were made of masoned stones and thatched roofs. The more luxurious buildings afforded clay roofing with far less mason between each stone. The only similarity between the two floors were the comforting cobblestone streets.

"Miss! Miss!" Snow heard someone call. The blonde quickly turned toward the urgent request for her attention. A boy, slightly older than herself, approached her in a huff.

"Hello?" Snow greeted with reserve.

"Miss," the stranger managed between heavy breaths. "Please, you have to help me."

Immediately, Snow's features softened and she placed a hand on the red head's shoulder.

"What is it?" she asked, with a touch of concern. "What's wrong?"

When her gathered his breath, he stood and looked to Snow with desperation in his eyes.

"Please, my mother's farm... Bees. Horrible, terrible, bees," he rambled.

"It's okay," Snow comforted. "Slow down and tell me what the problem is."

"I live in a farm just outside the city near the forest. We've been under attack from Wind Wasps non-stop for the past few weeks! Please, you have to help!"

Then, much to her surprise, a prompt appeared to Snow. The details indicated a quest where she needed to find the source of the attacks and put it to an end. A small sub window highlighted a general area deep in the forest where the objective could be found. Snow, uncomfortable to try her chances at a floor two excursion, hovered her finger over the red dismiss icon. Then, like someone looking into the eyes of an injured puppy, her heart felt a pang of sympathy and she hit accept.

"I will, I promise," Snow spoke, then gave the man a hug. As she pulled away, she continued. "I'll bring you good news, I promise."

Her promise may have well been a lie. In her current state, Snow's anxiety screamed about the prospect of a solo venture into the woods. However, the red head smiled at her and with a thank you, he made a sprint toward one of the town exits likely to deliver the news. Snow exhaled a deep sigh.

"How am I going to keep that promise now...?" she muttered in defeat.

(([TL:DR] She spoke to the NPC to pick up the quest. Your post doesn't have to be so long! I just wanted to give some background to what we're doing. X_x))
 

I'll take this one with Jomei

 ID# 50214: [] LD: 16 []

After a few moments of watching other players, Snow's eyes fell upon one of the many stands. Decorated with bamboo and several little ornate fountains, a small pool laid on the floor. In it, several small fish swam freely in the shallow waters. Snow tilted her head as she watched another couple. The male walked up to the pond and exchanged words with the NPC running the stall. With an exchange of smiles, the NPC handed the couple a pair of small paper paddles. The knelt over the pond and dipped their wands into the water. Quickly, they swept under a fish and pulled it from the water. The fish flopped on top of the paper just once before tearing though and splashing back into the water. The boy shrugged to the girl who returned to him an upset expression. He held her by the shoulders and said something that made her blush. Then, the two continued down the streets, the girl clutching at her arm.

"Hmm..." Snow mumbled.

She stood from her bench and strode over to the stand.

"Hello!" she mentioned to the NPC.

"High, young miss," the old man replied. His eyes were seemingly shut and the white hair around his mustache and chin were woven into a long, wiry braid.

"May I try?" Snow asked with a smile.

"Certainly, miss!"

The old man handed her a paper paddle. Snow looked it over, and realized how incredibly thin the paper was. He then handed her a small cup filled with water.

"Try to get the fish into the cup and you get a prize," the old man commented.

Snow nodded and took care kneeling as to not expose herself accidentally. Snow watched the fish as they swam in chaotic circles, some more placid than others. Snow focused on a small, white one with little black spots. She took a deep breath and hovered the paddle over the water. The fish swam quickly for a moment, then calmed gain. With breath held, Snow dipped the paddle in, scooped her cup close to the surface and lifted the fish out just in time for it to jump into the cup.

"I did it!" Snow cried out.

Her face lit with excitement.

"Well done miss, here you go." The old man held out his hand for the fish and wet paddle. Snow nodded and handed them over. In exchange, the old mand handed her a really ornate and beautifully decorated <<Kitsune Mask>>.

"Thank you!" Snow called out, taking the mask.

The old man nodded and Snow stood back up with her mask in both hands. She smiled at it, remembering better times until her stomach rumbled.

"Time for a snack," the blonde concluded, enjoying her time at the festival.

[+1 Kitsune Mask]

Currently taking this quest

Snow shook her head at his suggestion. She had done her crying. The blonde needed to move past the pain. Daire would be a happy memory, not one of loss. Then he continued to explain his much more interesting approach on their condition. As he spoke, it almost felt like he treated this world more like a blessing than a curse. He actually wanted to see its beauty, and didn't even mention its grip on people. Snow was stricken by his approach.

"I've never thought of it that way..." Snow admitted. "I always saw this place as a punishment or cage for being so naive and ignorant. I thought it was payment and a display to the world that we weren't ready for this kind of luxury. This technology wasn't meant for games..."

Then, Snow remembered the original reason she wanted to play SAO with her roommate. They were both art majors studying abroad in Japan. Snow wanted to learn more about storyboard and illustration. Daire wanted to know more about games and three dimensional design. Ultimately, they wanted to experience and admire the culmination of what they could accomplish if they chased their dreams. Sword Art Online was their goal and their motivation.

"Lawfer..." Snow's soft Czech accent sounded sincere and apologetic. "Thank you."

She smiled at him with a radiant warmth.

"You reminded me of the real reason I came here to begin with. Thank you."

It was that moment, the nearby brush stirred unnaturally so. From it, waddled several strange abominations with open, gaping mouths, vine like tentacles, and red adornments attached to the top of their bodies. Snow staggered a step back before Cardinal identified the four creatures as Nepents. Snow's expression firmed and became serious.

"Let me," Snow remarked to Lawfer as she wielded her spear.

Snow adopted a wide stance with the tip lower to the ground than the pommel. As she readied, the system began to illuminate the length of her weapon - an indication of a sword art. Then, Snow's body shot forward, spear leading point first. As she closed the gap, the novice Valkyrie thrust her weapon into the middle of the pack and a blast of raw power erupted from it. 

Each creature reeled from the blast, suffering a red gnash on their bodies. Snow's spear completed its animation by flipping in her hands back to an at ready position. The shock from the successful hit wore clearly on her expression.

"I did it!" she called out, slightly inappropriate for the current tones of combat.

The Nepents recovered, and focused their aggression toward Snow. A thick, viscous fluid bubbled from their gaping mouths and vines thrashed wildly as they prepared for attack.

<<Combat Engaged>>

 ID# 50149: [] BD: 6 [] LD: 12 [] MD: 1 []

Sonic Charge: 1x1 AoE - 2 Energy
~= Successful Hit =~
Nepent: [] 5/7 HP [] 3 DMG [] 0 MIT []
Nepent: [] 5/7 HP [] 3 DMG [] 0 MIT []
Nepent: [] 5/7 HP [] 3 DMG [] 0 MIT []
Nepent: [] 5/7 HP [] 3 DMG [] 0 MIT []

~= Mob Miss =~

Snow: [] 12/12 HP [] 1/3 EN [] 1 Hate []
Lawfer: [] 64/64 HP [] 16/16 EN [] 0 Hate []

[OOC: Post was fine, lol. I'm not very picky. Thanks for the loot though! You could have kept the most of it.]

Snow milled over the thought of meeting this, Lawfer. The blonde typically avoided confrontation and disliked the idea of combat. However, her promise indicated it as a necessity. If she were to truly live in the steps of another, she would need to learn to fight. Even with the spear, the longest reaching weapon available, Snow would need to embrace close quarters combat. 

"I wouldn't mind meeting him," Snow concluded. "I'll have to learn as much as possible about fighting if I want to make it."

No sooner did Snow finish her sentence did Opal reach out a hand in warning. The swordswoman made a light jest at toward the large birds which elicited a nervous smile and slight blush from the blonde. Snow reached for her spear and by the time she held it in both hands, Opal lunged forward. Her blade swept like a reaper's scythe, cutting through grass and fowl alike. All the flora and fauna caught in her dance of demise scattered to the breeze like leaves made of diamond. Sparkling, glistening, then gone.

A cold tingle crawled from the base of Snow's neck all the way down her back. Her grip on her spear loosened and as Opal rose with the spoils in hand, the blonde shook off the disbelief of what she had just witnessed.

"Those were... You..." Snow stammered as Opal placed the rewards in her hand. The popup for a zero exchange trade notified the girl of the gift.

"You weren't kidding! I just had to point and..." Snow looked at her finger, then back to Opal.

"How on earth will I ever come close to something like that?" she mumbled under the whisper of a soft breeze. The novice valkyrie accepted the gift and it vanished to her inventory. Obviously in no further need of her spear, Snow latched it to its harness on her back. She shook off the daze and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Why don't we get back to town and relax then. Maybe over some of those pot pies? We could invite Lawfer if he's available."

A blue sphere of light formed near the warp gate in Taft on the eleventh floor of Aincrad. When the light congealed and dispersed, a teenage girl dressed in a pastel blue and purple kimono appeared. Her long blond hair, usually tossed over one shoulder, was gathered and pinned loosely into a bun with a pink lotus blossom. She held her hands nervously in front of her, and kept her balance on the geta she wore. Snow had lived in the Town of Beginnings for nearly all of her Sword Art Online career. To see the girl venture to the higher floors was nothing short of a miracle. Especially as done up as she was.

Snow took her first few steps into the foreign safe zone, and took in her surroundings. The buildings, reminiscent of Rome or similar European influence, were adorned with all manner of flowers, plants, paper lanterns, and colorful accessories. Players strode around in attire common in Japan's own Spring Festivals. Small games in canvas tarpped stalls waited for children and couples alike. Vendors and local cooks busied away in small mobile grills, handing out takiyaki and other various snack foods. Performers lived up their trade, filling the air with lovely music and collecting Col from generous donors.

Snow took a deep breath and joined the festivities. In an effort to avoid seeming out of place, the girl found herself a bench along the main stretch of activity and took a seat. She tended to the lotus pin in her hair that began to slip from her stride over. She gathered a few more bunches of light gold locks and pinned her messy bun back in place. This time, it might hold for the rest of the evening. With her hands in her lap, she let herself relax. For a moment, it felt as though they were no longer in a game. People smiled and couples blushed.

Snow felt, for the first time in two years, like she was free. Content, she continued to people watch, blissfully relaxed and warmly smiling.

His question may as well have been an arrow. The wound torn open by her loss and her reason for finally stepping forward after all this time was still tender. Even though the reason was depressing in nature, Snow tried to keep positive. Too much venturing into the past would only rip the sutures of her shoddy optimism. Yet, the teen felt an obligation to be honest. Lies were only a poison meant for the weak or corrupt.

"Her name was Last Chance here," Snow's voice, once bright and chipper, now dragged with an unseen weight. "She was my roommate. Well, before all this at least. When we were faced with the news, she chose to fight. I chose to stay. We found a way to make it work. She would visit the Refuge or send PMs from time to time to keep in touch. At least once a week, but often more. A few weeks ago..."

Snow's voice wavered. She placed a hand over her mouth, shook her head, clenched her burning eyes, and took a deep breath. She exhaled, focusing for a moment on moving the brush in her path away from her. Stepping into a clearing, she continued.

"A few weeks ago I received a message from the player she had been seeing. They met on the front lines. It was the thirteenth floor boss. It killed her."

Snow's chest grew heavy. The subject still hurt so very much. She told herself it would ease in time, but it still felt so surreal to say. Snow still remembered her smile as if she were standing next to her and telling her to tough it out. Snow loved her, if not as a friend, then as a sister - not by blood, but by spirit.

"We promised," Snow struggled to continue. "We promised when she left, that if she couldn't beat the game, I would pick up where she left off so I could see her parents. So I could live in her shoes. So I could live for her..."

The tears hung on Snow's lower lashes, but she raised her head and feigned a smile to Lawfer.

"That's why."

A tear rolled down, but Snow padded it away with the sleeve of Hikoru's hoodie. The then dabbed her sorrowful blue eyes dry.

"I have to fight because she no longer can fight for both of us."

Snow cleared her throat and shook off the pain of old memories. Immediately, she internally tended to the torn sutures and threaded it with an optimism needed to keep her strong. Daire was gone, but someone had to be strong for her. Snow pulled the suture taught and knotted off another shoddy mend to the tender wound. She smiled again, this time more sincere. She wore the conflict on her face, but kept her head high and shoulder's square.

"Enough about sad stories. I'm sure this place has had its fill of those. What about you, Lawfer?"

[OOC: Didn't make sense to do a loot roll or mob spawn through all that. Feel free to get some Nepents going if you like, though. :)]

"Greatest fear?" Snow repeated. He mind drifted for a while, floating past her positive facade and nervous kindness. It plunged past the anxiety and the depression and opened a door to something dark. The girl stood alone, silhouetted by that which she kept buried. She looked up to it with pinpoint pupils as it swallowed her alive.

The young blonde shuddered, and tried to shake away the pin needle pricks all over her body with hairs on end. She shook her head, trying to repress the door which she opened - all the animosity of day one, the fear, the hate, the despair. Death, torture, paralysis, dying alone...

Then she remembered her beacon of hope. She remembered the pillar that stopped her from collapsing when this nightmare began. Though the pillar had fallen to that which Snow feared, the values it left behind bared the weight. The teen had her fears and they were paralytic, but she gripped onto a phrase the dearly departed favored so:

"You never know what you can do unless you try. Right, Alyssa?"

Snow nodded, the silence of the last few moments now creating a slight air of awkwardness.

"I'll never know if I can face those fears unless I try. Right, Opal?" the girl repeated to her new friend. Her smile was weak, but the determination in those bright eyes of hers burned strong.

The young valkyrie stood and again dusted off her black attire with marginal success.

"Yup! Now to hunt us a Cockatrice. I've been told they're not strong, but their claws can paralyze you - kinda like the stories in mythology. You and your baby," Snow pointed at Opal's katana with a silly grin, "should be able to handle that."

"Let's head this way. The supporters of the Beginner's Refugee said they'd always find them in the tall grass to the west near the river and bridge," Snow took the lead, sure to check frequently that her protector and heroine in arms kept close. As they made way toward the west, Snow moseyed over the proposition Opal made about learning how to use her spear. The person named "Lawfer" she had mentioned for the second time now. The teen tried to be careful with those she approached or let close to her. In the real world, she knew how vile and lewd men could be. She primarily avoided dating for that reason alone. Since she stood out so starkly to those in Japan, it caused her undue stress and attention. Luckily, Daire stepped in when things got too uncomfortable. She was a girl that didn't take flack from anyone unless she chose to. Here, Snow didn't have that luxury. And here, men who chose a particular set of skills, could almost do whatever they wanted to another character. Especially one of lower level than them.

"Lawfer?" Snow began, her cheerful tones now timid, "You said he was nice, right?"

Snow kept the lead, not turning back to make eye contact as she spoke.

"Are you two... close?" she continued, trying to garner a little more information about him before agreeing to arrange a meeting.

• ID# 49967: [] LD: 20 [] +1 Material []

Today's topics were all bleak. While there were certainly positive notes to take away, both girls seemed to bear weights of their own. Opal, though often as chipper as Snow, seemed to carry a burden far heavier than the novice phalanx. However, as her new acquaintance continued, Snow caught herself smiling as she worked. The more Opal talked about her life before the incident, the more she sounded just like her friend. It felt as though even with Last Chance's name on the Monument of Life, Daire sent someone else to help be Snow's beacon in this place. Snow knew it was a silly notion. She doubted the two knew each other, but the idea warmed her.

"Well," Snow started as she lifted back some leaves to inspect the base of the vegetable, "I never knew you before all your changes, but I'm beginning to know you now, and I like who you are now. I won't pretend to know what you've been through, but maybe as friends, we can add some better memories?"

Snow smiled up at her, the sun warm on her face and catching light on the faint freckles peppered across her pale skin.

"I haven't been on the other floors just yet. I've heard stories in passing. The snow sounds amazing. I miss it. It snowed for most seasons of the year when I was a little kid which was fine. Winter was my favorite season afterall."

Snow giggled at Opal's mention of her username in congruence with the weather. Before she began her explanation, the teen noticed a new plant that just spawned in from its timer. Snow shuffled over to it to inspect.

"Aside from liking snow, when I came to Kyoto, some of the girls in our class nicknamed me 'Yuki'. They weren't used to seeing someone with pale hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. Plus, my real name was a little difficult for them to pronounce. Since Yuki was taken when I tried to start, I picked 'Snow'. So it worked out!" 

As she spoke, Snow's eyes brightened. The new plant that spawn in was exactly what she was looking for. Quickly, she gripped it by the leaves and ripped it from the soil. Almost at the same time, the girl's called out:

"I think I found it!"

Except Opal's was a half eaten equivalent of a radish and it tossed her on her bum. Snow couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter, almost dropping her Gokoran Root and losing it to the discard system.

"I'm sorry!" the blonde barely managed through giggles and gasps. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't laugh! You okay?"

The object suddenly in the air startled Snow into action. He slender fingers overlapped one another quickly and incoherently. With a little stumble and visual equivalent of playing hot potato, she finally clasped the crystal in her hands. Like a child holding a secret, she slowly lifted her fingers to take a peek as the shimmering stone. No thicker than her pinkie, the green crystal caught the surrounding light and danced prisms in against her skin. For a moment, her mind lapsed to the real world when Snow would walk past the jewelry shop windows and take a moment to admire their beauty. She always hoped one day, she would be able to afford one or find someone she cared for that would gift her something beautiful.

His voice returned her to their current reality, and found her cheeks heated and rosy. She gently shook her head of the memories. With a few nervous motions, Snow placed the crystal in her inventory for later. Then, she brushed off her attire despite it being clean - a nervous habit and side effect of her ever persistent anxiety.

"T-thanks," the blonde girl stammered before getting a grip on her own voice, "I have been thinking of what profession to take up since I decided to fight. All the smithing jobs are intimidating so I'm thinking one of the more artsy jobs, cooking or artificing."

The young valkyrie patted at her cheeks, trying to work the blush away. Kindness wasn't common in the Beginner's Refuge. In fact, the refuge could be seen as more cut throat and ruthless than the wilds. Snow was neither used to this kind of treatment, nor did she know how to handle it. Two years of scraping by reverted her to the quiet little Czech girl who stayed bundled in her winter furs and silent til spoken to. The outgoing, sociable girl who grew together with Daire in Kyoto struggled to find her way back to Snow.

"And thanks," she commented again regarding his earlier statement, "I'll try to help out if I can. If I see something I'll let you know. Since I'm still not much good, I'll let you keep leading."

Snow kept her eyes adverted. She felt intimidated by his confidence and prowess, but at the same time comfortable knowing he would keep her alive. This quest would have been too much to handle on her own.

As she avoided eye contact, she did notice something on the ground they must have missed when collecting the loot. Snow tilted her head in inquiry before bending down to get a closer look. She noticed a small piece of something metallic under the collective leaves, sticks, and bark of the forest floor. Pushing it carefully aside, Snow managed to pluck out a small, gold trinket. It was tarnished, and weathered, but in the center marked a strange symbol. She opened the inspection window to learn it was a type of rune used to pull out certain special qualities when crafting.

Snow stood and turned to Lawfer with it in her hand.

"Fifty-fifty?"