Rin

Rin blushed as she now strolled off feeling awkward from this whole situation since they still weren't doing the main purpose for this dance. "I'm sorry that I ruined this for you, how about we go onto the dance floor after the music starts. I do want to do the normal stuff that people do on these days out." As she looked toward the buffet though she was astounded by the meal that was provided to them by the castle. She supposed that royalty was quite capable to provide only the best catering to their own parties. Come to think about it why on earth did they even call us adventurers for help or something or is this just the game trying to make our valentines day the best it could be? It wasn't long before she gravitated to the strawberries. "Oh, I just love strawberries, did you know how hard it was for me to choose what job I wanted to do. Back when I first left the house I had always wanted to be a chef, but well the second life style I wanted to try needed to remain secret in order to make me comfortable."

As she began to see the crowds bolster about the Celestial Ascendants guild members she took a few steps back nervously poking her fingers together as she realized this wasn't her place. No, bad why did you leave you comfy room in your shop where nothing crazy was happening with everyone joining together to enjoy one great ballroom where they could dance and enjoy the pleasure of ones they loved. I don't have anyone to love any more since then this was such a bad idea. As she looked up though she saw @Morgenstern attempting to assist  her with this particular dilemma a simple nod of her head would answer his question about how she was feeling as she now took his hand. "C-can we just maybe head to the buffet table for a little bit I'm not really g-good with parties never have been that was why I always sorta leaned on ..." An awkward bite to her lip as she decided to stop that thought process ideas of her dead lover wasn't going to help on this awkward valentines day. "H-hi again Itzal and uh everyone else I suppose." Her eyes glancing over with a small wave to Macradon.

As she made her way toward Mergenstern she squeaked losing her footing as she managed to catch herself before collapsing into the stone path that led into the castle. A rather nervous mewl emitted form her as she now gave a slight wave to him, "Oh you know me, I'm perfectly happy I suppose." Rin wasn't great at lying she was worse in this dress the self-consciousness beginning to linger in the back of her mind. No, I look ridiculous I bet why on earth did I pick this stupid dress this was a mistake. The girl's head now drooped down till she was staring at her heels and his dancing shoes she loved dancing or she did while she had a partner who was capable of twirling about. The compliment on her appearance only caused her gaze to sink deeper into the floor, the rosy red cheeks only grow a deeper shade. Was it possible to pass out in this game merely from nerves as she felt like the roller coaster ride was heading for that ending. "Dance?" She responded back more as a question as she wasn't sure if this was the perfect time for her to humiliate herself in front of people she had met over the course of this game. As she looked over she saw Itzal and squeaked, "Oh um hi there Itzal?"

@Morgenstern

It was an odd turn of events, in recent days she had merely left herself within her own shop barricaded behind various clothing designs and boxes filled with lefter fabric. The world was just a terrifying place though since her meeting with Morgenstern, nay Jon, she had been starting to feel just a twinge of happiness. The season to be jolly had passed and now it seemed Valentine's day was once again upon her. It was the first year she had been alone for this couple's day since the passing of Alex. This dreadful game and it's creator would surely pay for the atrocities that were committed by the implementation of a prison death game. Rin laid against the bench in her shop, the second floor was always beautiful and warm but she hadn't expected any messages as she was about to take a short cat nap. A ding roused her from her prone position as she now sat up with a sigh. Her fingers hastily flicked passed the various menus, the layout still mad no sense to her since it was corrected directly to their minds. Her eyes skimmed over it as she blinked recognizing the name, "Jon?"

"There is a Valentines Day event?" She red aloud to before glancing around her shop realizing she need to find something that would fit. No armor or the like while within the castle wall she guessed from his comment. As she glanced over her options she sighed fingers nervously interlacing with one another as she wasn't certain she was ready for an event like this. "B-but if I don't go then I know I never will be." A solemn sigh escaped from her lips as she now wandered over gripping a gorgeous silver dress she had made. It wasn't often that she got to show off her own designs so she guessed this dance could help. As she placed her formal wear into her inventory she once again allowed her finger tips to dance across the equipment menu as she now materialized her dancing outfit.

"Guess it's time to stand on you feet again ... oh dear," she mewled sadly as she now made her way to the teleportation platform. "Floor four please."

As she arrived to the snowy level she shivered tapping out another request to her equipment causing a winter coat to appear over top to help shield her body and bare shoulders. This isn't at all weird walking out toward a castle for a Valentines Dance in a dress. I'm going to commit social suicide aren't I. She whined her eyes now fixed to the snowy path as she slowly approached the castle spotting a guard who now took her by the hand and escorted her in. "Oh umm t-thanks." As she was led up to the castle gate she started to wave toward Jon. "Hi, @Morgenstern" she murmured now being left their by the guard as he returned to his post for the next player.

"But I am to blame. I-If I wasn't such a pathetic weakling ... I-I could have been there along side him and saved him and the squad that he fought along side not just sit at home waiting for him to return." She sniffled now as she just leaned into his lap uncertain of what to do with herself it felt like the moment his name disappeared form her friend list and the day she tossed out all of the things he bought her. It was to painful to remember it all as she now lied their shivering her head in Jon's lap as she just cried. Each sentence he spoke reassuring her that Alex wouldn't have wanted any of this only caused her to feel like he was back in his arms now as she slowly pulled herself up into his lap now sitting against it like she use to. Her head resting against his shoulder as she muttered out softly, "Please don't leave alone again." As she buried her face into his neck she felt comfortable for the first time as she started to believe what he was saying. I-I feel responsible b-but y-you are right I'm not." Rin lied their the waterworks beginning to end as she just leaned into him feeling both warm and helpless at the same time.

Rin blushed as she heard him speak up, the words to live up her life in this new realm were motivational, but possibly not enough she needed a guiding hand ever since her boyfriend died. It was difficult growing use to the fact that someone would be around to console you when everything was going horribly. Then in that instant where the one person who you could talk to was taken away by the harsh reality of this world. "H-how can I not I just see people I think about and I wonder of how they are gonna die and leave me again?" She sniffled before pulling herself up and out of her chair as she now stumbled over to sit in Jon's lap her eyes tearing and breath heavy from the cries. "I-I d-don't want to just waste away b-but I can't deal with this any more I-I shouldn't be in here without h-him I should have been with him when he died maybe I-I could have saved him with myself h-he was the one who should have saved this world and kept living to the next he was the strong one." She whimpered now  pressing her forehead into his chest her entire body crumpled up nearly upon his lap as she tried to stop crying.

As rin followed behind the two her eyes were scanning about her gear wasn't the best it could be but she had a fairly good chance of spotting it compared to the other two. Whatever it was? Oh fudge monkeys what on earth are we looking for again I should really ask the other two to make sure we aren't just passing it by. "Um guys, I don't really know what we were looking for either as it seems that Zandra doesn't either." She whispered nearly inaudible for the two to possibly here. As she finished a gentle sigh slipped out of the mask as she now began to wander off toward the side her eyes glancing up and down the tower walls. As they meandered about she glanced up at what seemed to be a wolf hide used to decorate the castle wall. "Um it's not that I don't suppose? I suppose this is why it's a quest it wouldn't be any fun if it was super easy huh?"

ID: 73748

LD: 13+2 (equipment) +1 (Search and detect) = 16 fail

Rin's head simply nodded up and down to the comment of Jon, most her days were spent in the solitude of the confides of her shop, or home as it was. This was all she was capable of affording under the rather poor conditions among the players of Aincrad not everyone was in a guild or could afford such  pleasantries of budding up with numerous players that you could trust in. Even those she had learned most about she didn't fully trust, Itzal. Jon. Hakai especially. That girl still frightened the skittish child who sat all hunched over in her shop. It wasn't frigid but the chills had taken over the females body as she began to fidget wondering if she should some day create a fire place for this rather shabby hut. "Yeah I have explored a bit with some random players I met," she mewled softly as she now drooped further behind her legs as she curled back up on the seat sighing. "I just don't enjoy exploring into the wilderness all the cruelty that goes on around us, I just can't add watching such terrible actions such as pking or muggings any longer. It's safe in here and thus here I will stay. Even if it's a bit cold." All this game brought seemed to be sadness into the heart of Rin, perhaps life wasn't meant to continue outside of the real world, if only Alex's spirit would have shown her a sign that life beyond death was paradise.

Rin curled her legs and head in to attempt and make his entrance through the doorway simpler, as she now glanced around her rather empty shop. It wasn't often people came to visit her for supplies to be made, plenty of other trained tailors were far more experienced then herself. A suffering sigh of depression slipped before she pulled up her legs onto the chair so she partially was shield by her own legs as she looked over to Jonathan. "T-thanks for carrying me all this way. Would you like anything for your troubles?" Rin's legs went down to rest on the ground as she started to stand up contemplating what to offer. "I um could make some cocoa or something or ... a plushie since I'm not really much of a cook." She grimaced realizing that most male warriors probably had little care of a plushie to be carried into battle with them. "I-I really must repay you for all this somehow please just name a price?" She frantically flailed now feeling indebted. As she did so she squeaked falling back into her chair as she cringed her soft tush now planted firmly upon the seat.

Rin let out a rather startled squeak, as if a mouse had been making it's presence known to the household that was unaware of it's living within the walls of the owners domain. After the humiliating kiss that bloomed the rosy color of red in Jon's cheek her sudden predicament of being carried was her turn. Another embarrassed mewl now escaped her pursed lips as she hid her humiliation again into his shoulder. The muffled voice of the woman attempting to mumbled out a coherent sentence referring to either: "Thank you, but the lift wasn't entirely necessary." OR "Tai-chi and lifts were extremely nauseating." Thankfully though the grumbles would keep her nuzzled into his chest as she now felt her legs draped over his arms and her body carried bridal style. Her eyes peeping out from over his shoulder as she kept a rear guard for the man of sorts in order to thank him for the ride. Once every few seconds she would shoot a glance over toward his face as she slowly felt more and more like a child in her fathers arms when those years had long passed her, especially since their age difference was so small.

Rin sniffled as she continued to pull away from his chest attempting to cope with the heartache that was still looming within her shattered heart. As she glanced up she tried to smile and laugh feeling quite stupid about all of this as she slid back in against his shoulder her head resting upon it. "I'm such a burden on everyone I meet, Itzal. Mina. Hakai. You. I sometimes wonder if that I wasn't suppose to stay in that in room sulking till the end of this game." As she peeked up she then rolled across his shoulder till her head was planted firmly in his chest now mewling out like a stray cat. "I'm ready for the escort mister knight." She whispered now glancing back toward the path they had taken it really was a shame she should have indulged him longer than this perhaps the next time he showed up to the shop she would have the courage to. "Thanks Jon." As she rubbed her eyes clear of tears she slid up and planted a rather teary kiss against his cheek.

Rin stumbled behind the two rather distant as she wasn't entirely certain what the next portion of this quest would entail, mostly fighting maybe some searching perhaps her time here was to be educational. Defense against flying monkeys or monsters as a whole was a skill she lacked in this game. The cat figured female quickly pattered her little feet back into place behind Zandra an Macradon as they reached the great tower. A rather dreary sigh escaped under her breath. This was one of those quests where you would have to climb to the tallest room in the tallest bloody tower wasn't it. As she curled up she flopped down onto her rear not gripping the padding of her boots. In the real world these would have probably been warn down in a mere matter of seconds thanks to the terrain they were to traverse here. "I umm suppose this isn't someone else's tower that we stumbled across by accident so what exactly are the plans of getting us up and down it in one piece?"

Rin wept. It was the dawning of memories that had long set in her weary consciousness of a man who had promised her the completion of this world and reunion along side one another in the next. Perhaps that was the key, the next world was never a release into the real one but into the next state beyond death. Streaks of tears continued to cascade down her cheek, gently rolling across the skin till it reached her chin. The droplets attempting to drip down to the ground like rain as she leaned in closer now shaking her head the friction of her hair against his outfit caused the strands to cling now statically charged. "I'm so sorry, for bringing all of this upon you without even giving you an explanation b-but I'm must return to my shop now I-I just need to focus on work again." A rather stuttered whimper ended her statement, the darkness looming about her emotions with only the cushioning light of another individual warding it off. Jon's presence managed to cast it aside for brief periods but perhaps that was where she needed to find comfort, in solitude. "I'm so sorry I-I should try and do something f-for you listening to all this? Anything you would like before we head back?"

As her thoughts began to grow less cloudy, Rin began to realize that even on this first floor where everything was shadowed by that day still offered shimmers of lights to pierce through. This odd sensation of someone else's chest acting as a pillow of sorts for her made the subtle memory of her resting safely against her deceased boyfriend. The chilling thought now shot through her entire body, finger tips, toes spine and skull. It was like a brain freeze after chomping down into a huge scoop of ice cream or crushing ice between gritted teeth. Rin remained frozen within his grip as she now rested her head into his shoulder the shock of taking on this position with another was far to shocking. "I-I'm sorry I shouldn't even be here after all this I s-swore that I would never watch another person I care for die in this dreadful game. I don't want to stop anyone from continuing down the paths they take here b-but I can't watch it lead them into the misery of the front lines that took Alex away from me." She sniffled now wiping her eyes clear of the tears that were now streaking down her cheeks.

As the piercing drone of the horn screamed through the air Rin stopped now padding the ears of the pooch that was still yelping madly at the monkey's that  were now stunned. The piercing red eyes now glanced between the two as a devastating Sword Art was released by Macradon wiping each of the four beasts out of existence. The coast was clear for all intents and purposes thus Rin quickly bounced back up to her feet still a bit weary of the display she just witnessed. Each moment of witnessing a mob being pixel'd she felt less and less certain if her beliefs about recycling in the system. "Right Mr. Knight." Rin mewled now skipping back to her position behind the two happy that part of the quest line was finished, it had been a while since they took it and she actually managed to forget what the rest of the plan was once they reached the tower. Zandra and Macradon were carrying extra baggage about unfortunately and Rin did feel a bit cheap just tagging along. "Welp we are off to see the wizard, er was it the witch we were seeing?"

Rin blinked and nodded her head as he asked about the profession realizing that anything that went into detail on it would lead to him knowing all to well that she was the silly cat that had made so many things for random people here and there. "I umm actually have been working as a sort of apprentice for the owner of Katz Kneadz I guess you could say we are sorta acting as our own little clothes store. That is actually where I got this collar and leather coat. She't a lot more talented then me if I must admit." A rather awkward blush on her face as she practically was talking about herself in the third person. Oh come on Rin just stop this nonsense and tell him the truth I'm sure that he will understand it far better than anyone else would understand. As she glanced back she remember her meeting with Jon which had also ended up with her little secret teetering on an awkward footing. "I really just need to find this pet, and thanks again for everything you are giving me. So the collar should be giving me a +3 bonus, the song another +1 and the food?" She groaned having issues as she honestly had no clue what this brought up her searching ability to help tame a creature.

Rin just kept wandering forward her arms crossed and curled up like a pillow for the dog to sit upon, it almost looked regal in the fashion it sat on her little paws. As they stepped forward though she blinked now peering back toward Zandra and then to Macradon. What on earth are they both sensing that I'm not? As she peered out she was ready to search and detect any creatures that might have been nearby when suddenly floor winged monkey's descended upon their location each as formidable if not more so then her. A loud squeak rang out from behind her mask as Toto began to bark loudly toward all the creatures that was now falling down each one as angry as the next ready to strike the two who had begun to combat them. Rin merely sprinted off toward the tree line as she quickly covered up the barking canine attempting to keep him quiet so he didn't draw the attention to them. "No bad Toto stop barking they have this handled." She chastized the dog before peeking out nervously uncertain if they really did. They were quick and nearly dancing about them as if their attacks meant nothing.

Rin: 320/320 HP 16/16 En 3 Eva

Rin glanced over toward Itzal a twinge of jealousy for him and his familiar as she continued to stroll forward each step taking them deep into the volcanic floor wondering just what type of creature lay in store for her. The heat that was once unbearable for others was normal, due to her survival skill she had no worries about the elemental effects and dangers of the environment perhaps the monsters that roamed this floor also wouldn't effect her as most of them seemed to be partially fire proof or flaming themselves. As they strolled and she listened about how people would usually feed the familiar something to further win their hearts she squeaked out nervously. "I don't have any food on me right now how am I suppose to calm them down if I don't have anything to feed the poor thing." She whimpered now squirming in different directions as if distraught that she hadn't thought about the use of food in such a quest.

@Itzal

Rin now whined as she looked back an forth between her shoes and Jon's as she finally couldn't stand it any longer, "I-I am the owner of the shop I just have been wearing new clothes and I-I'm really bad at this talking w-with people after I met them in my Katz suit." In a second of weakness she blabbed about everything, this was the reason she would never have made it as top secret spy she had no cool under pressure. Her deceased boyfriend on the other hand was able to keep all sorts of secrets without explaining or revealing information that would have caused Rin to fear for his life. "Please forgive me for the deception I didn't mean to make anything awkward between us I just was testing out if being two different people would help me with my nerves and it did to an extent I j-just d-don't want to be alone in the shop for the rest of my days." As she spoke her entire body shook, the solitude of her own shop reminded her over everything she lost her family, her love, everything. Tears ran down her cheeks as her eyelids fluttered close it was her, she was the problem.

"Well I still do need armor, I have to make a living somehow in the shop anyway and tailor's don't just make you free gear usually have to find them materials or pay them col. Besides, if I have no job I can't ever by my own house or room if I end up joining somewhere. I just want to live a normalish life for the rest of my days even if they are to work in this game for stronger players."

She blushed now hanging her head ashamed that she wasn't willing to join the front liner, scared of the binary limbo that might await her or the constant death to those whom she would face if she was just another mob upon the floor. As he asked what her name was she began to feel a bit awkward uncertain of what to even say after all of this. 

"N-noone? I'm just working here s-sorta like an NPC after I lost my boyfriend is all I don't really use names now I just say sir or ma'am to whomever I'm working with. I don't really mind what you call me. As for your donations they seem quite sizeable I don't think i would be able to accept that much I was just gonna ask for enough to pay for food and shelter is all."

@Morgenstern

Rin nibbled her bottom lip now hanging her head partially ashamed as her hands were both held firmly in his, perhaps she was just being silly but it was awkward holing the hands of a another male who you secretly hid your true appearance and name from wasn't it. As she peeked back at her companion she managed a rather confused smile, "I'm so sorry I shouldn't be so flustered about all this I have been told by others that it is unsettling. Please forgive me. I promise that I will serve as a loyal maid for the rest of the day be it chores or possibly being pampered. I just get weird around new people." A rather bewildered expression and giggle now escaped her lips as she was then asked about her outlook on hunting a few mobs. "I umm don't actually have a real weapon to fight them with, b-besides I sorta have this crazy notion that maybe they are secretly our fallen allies reincarnated as the monsters we face for eternity. S-sorta an awkward torment isn't it?"

Rin stopped and turned a deep shade of crimson as she shook her head, "N-no I'm Rin's maid is what I said n-not Rin that would be crazy talk besides I don't really even deserve that title I'm just someone for hire. Working the old minimum wage hours practically a slave of sorts." As she talked her babbling made herself, Rin sound worse and worse if he would believe any of her falsities now. "N-not that miss Rin is a slave driver or anything it's brilliant work!" She whined realizing that both her story and her ideas to not ruin her own reputation only made her seem more and more bizarre as she now was feeling a bit light headed. "It's f-fine really stop apologizing and j-just t-take me somewhere it'll make you feel better I-I imagine right?" The girl's voice was shaky, not a single ounce of confidence left in her voice. Perfect prey to those who had worse intentions than Morgenstern, nay Jon. "R-really no problem I-I will e-even go out clothes shopping if it stops you from being so sad."

@Morgenstern

As she held herself upright once more she clung to the recording device as her hum softly trailed, one or maybe two seconds off sync. It was a beautiful melody to use and coax out those beasts be it friend or foe. It wasn't a simple matter to prevent all monsters from rearing their ugly heads due to the sound that now essentially played from her soul. It wasn't every day you took the Feeding the Enemy quest, less that you would even worry about the mobs that would usually hunt and kill you without a moment of hesitation. Rin was one of many gentle souls who deserved a familiar she could call friend, snuggle and possibly act as her guardian. The nervous Nancy was always stuttering out random gargle in the company of new players; if not that there were staggers that caused her to misstep only those acquainted with her for long periods had managed to quell those nerves. 

"I'm so sorry, I just was wondering. How exactly can you tell that the familiar is right for you? I don't kill creatures and I hate the side of something dispersing or someone. It just seems terribly wrong to travel with a companion who other players will attempt and silence if it is guarding your back."

This was an odd predicament to be stuck in a maid outfit with possible new employers, when they expected you to be the shop keeper of a store that you did in fact own. As she strolled she forward her feet were aimed toward the ground, it was common for a girl of her particular pressure. The imposing sun beating down upon the two as she knew that dozens of beady eyes would be taking in the site of the flustered girl. It almost made her want to puke, pixels of virtual vomit to disperse all over the grass. Although such symptoms and outcomes were nigh impossible in these lands. Instead it was phantom pains or simple discomfort about other human beings. A blessing veiled by the horrid prison that was this game which Kayaba developed. Who thought that the human race would take kind to being imprisoned without justice to be served. 

"N-no I can't accept t-that people have already bought me more than enough clothing. Besides I work with a tailor remember clothes are no problem." 

She shook her hands furious attempting to dissuade him from taking her clothe shopping, unless he had a particular outfit or want to play dress up with her. It was his time after all, was she even being paid for this? Oh know I knew I should have asked about the cash for this upfront. I probably am just gonna end up cleaning his entire shop before he pushes me out. A dark looming cloud of misery now metaphorically dampened her spirits before she remembered. 

"I'm Rin nice to meet you."