Atzo

Atzo thought for a while considering everything that went on. “It just isn’t my week” he thought to himself, making no outward sign of what he was thinking “At this point I can see that I will get nowhere. There is still one tactic I can try, maybe it will work, maybe it won't. Regardless it will put me at a disadvantage. At this point I am in too deep to pull back, that would make me look like a coward.” Atzo gave a smirk-like grin. Before stating “Very well played my friend.” He walked behind his desk and grabbed a bottle of bourbon, pouring himself a glass and bringing it to the coffee table. Setting two more cups down, in case either of them wanted some. “Well, I respect you not wanting to sign yourself off for an unknown purpose. I understand you not trusting me. So, I will make this easy. No point in me backing out now, so tell me. What is it you want to know about me? I will be honest to the T but if I feel uncomfortable answering a question I will let you know.” Atzo took a second to pause, taking a sip of the bourbon. He knew alcohol didn’t do anything in the game but he still enjoyed the taste. “Now that said, I would like this to go both ways. You ask your questions, I will answer what I am comfortable with. Then I ask my questions, you answer what you are comfortable with. Does that seem fair?”

@Domarus

Atzo sat very still, though he listened to every word she said. “I cannot fall to that again.” He thought to himself. “Perhaps this is why I was trained the way I was” His eyes were closed and his head was hung. “This is why I analyze, this is why I observe and manipulate and don't feel” He said this aloud “Because even now that I do not have others oppressing me, I know I make bad decisions when I allow it to happen. I go at things without a plan, without the ability to find my way and let my emotions carry me. I wear my title proud for what it is, and what it stands for. I am to be forgotten, The Forgotten King. Though when that happens, when my name is erased from the memories of mortal men, my deeds will remain. My actions will speak throughout the ages, be them good or bad. My life will be forgotten but those that I have effected will not.” He paused before addressing the last statement Eatos made. His voice still as emotionless as before. “I do not believe that is true. With the right amount of self torture I will learn how to explain everything I feel and do. I will learn how to control my actions, control my instincts, and control my reality. I will not fail.”

@Eatos

Atzo shook his head “No, it would be best they didn’t. And I appreciate you not holding it against me, I really do. But I will hold this against myself regardless.” Emotion flashed behind Atzo’s eyes as if it were a light flashing every colour of the rainbow before his gaze became cold. Realizing this he looked away from her and crossed his legs as if he were about to meditate. “I need to think and process what has happened.” His voice was completely emotionless though it was clear it was not by his choice, nor was it her fault. “I would need to process this even if you hadn’t stopped me. I should not have done that, it should not have been so instinctual.” he held out a hand to help her up. “Please do not blame yourself for my sudden lack of emotion. My mind can’t seem to choose one so I elected to shut that part of my brain down for a little bit. Once I am completely sure of an emotion I will start to feel it again but for now I can’t.” He took a deep breath, attempting to let himself calm down. It was suddenly so hard to do.

@Eatos

By the time Atzo realized what was going on Eatos had blocked a kiss from him. He swiftly let go of her, horribly confused and embarrassed both at what had happened and the fact that she hadn’t let go. He was also angry at himself. He heard what she said, his expression becoming calm but there was a sense of anger behind it, though it was not toward her in any way. “No, I appreciate it. I really do.” He said before muttering to himself “For [censored] sake, now I have to spend the next five days trying to figure out what the hell that was.” the mutterings we much more angry then the words he spoke to her. Almost as if he was scolding himself. He began rambling through psychology textbook titles, trying to think of the right one to start with. Soon he snapped back into reality, his voice calmer “I am sorry about that, I wish there was more to say then that but I don’t think there is. That was… out of character for me.”  

@Eatos

Atzo didn't break his gaze. “I never would… thank you Eatos, thank you for having faith in me” He could feel his heart as it began to race, threatening to burst out of him. He was sure she could feel it with how powerful it felt. Thoughts raced through his mind. He felt strength return to him as he sat there in her arms. His mind raced though he didn’t know what was going through it. He saw the rest of the world slip away, it seemed like they were there in a void. Nothing there but the two of them. He felt as though his heart was going to explode or that he was going to have a heart attack. But then something else happened he could never have thought would. No amount of planning or analysis could have predicted it. His eyes quivered slightly, suddenly his body moved without his mind telling it to. His arms tensed pulling her closer, as he moved in for a kiss.

@Eatos

Atzo shuttered again, feeling the hug tighten. He didn’t speak for quite some time, slowly calming himself down. Finally he took a deep breath, though there was regret in his eyes. “I’m sorry… I know this isn’t how these things are supposed to go.” he put his arms around her in return, finally returning the hug. “I just, it's harder to keep things to myself when I am around you.” he looked down after that before looking into her amber eyes, his emotions shifted to deturmination “But, I am okay with that, being open around you. I hope you feel the same way.” he took another deep breath, not breaking eye contact. “I have to ask though, why are you putting in so much effort? Why haven’t you ran from me? After all that I have told you, all the things that have shown parallels to that guy… why are you still here comforting me?” He wasn’t being accusatory, but the determination hadn’t left him. He wanted to know if she actually knew, or if this was just as odd to her as it was to him.
@Eatos

Before he knew what was happening Eatos had embraced him fully. She promised to look after him, voices were swirling in his mind. He didn’t know what to do or what to say. Though words and actions began to spill out of his mouth, as he shook his head. His voice was meek “N-no, I don’t deserve to be looked after…. I-i deserve to be alone. After all I have done, after all the hate I have propagated throughout the world, all the lies, pain and horror. I don’t deserve to be cared for. I don’t deserve to be alive. I don’t deserve people caring about me, and least of all do I deserve love. I don’t deserve to experience it, I don't deserve to get it… i-im sorry” Tears streamed down his face, he quivered as he sat there in her embrace, though he didn’t pull away. He didn’t have the strength to pull away. So much went through his mind, so much telling him that he wasn’t worth it. He couldn’t lock it away anymore, he couldn’t hide it. It poured out of him like rain during a hurricane. 

@Eatos

Atzo entered the first floor shop. He walked around a bit, observing the objects on display. It was always interesting to see the different design choices of the crafters in this game. They all had their own styles, had their own similarities that could be used to identify a piece of equipment they made. Normally it was a subconscious thing though. Then he turned, now looking to the familiar man behind the counter. Atzo wore his casual smirk-like grin as he approached the counter. “Hey there Domarus, I need to place an order.” He put 900 col on the counter, and filled out the order form. It was the finishing touch to his new setup. A crown, specifically a broken crown. The style would perfectly complete both his look and combat ability. “I can’t stay long, so when it is complete please send me a message. Oh and keep the change” He finished the order form and turned to leave. “Now to go and get my house ready for that meeting” he thought to himself. “God, I hope they can stay on topic this time.”

-900 col

Atzo felt her arm around him and relaxed quite a bit. He listened to her, she had a point in what she said. “You would definitely make a good therapist.” He said trying to keep the sadness out of his voice.

Then a though crossed his mind. “You aren’t allowed to die Eatos.” He abruptly stopped, surprised that he had said that aloud, but chose to continue anyways “I-I need someone to be there for me. You are the first person in my life that I can say I truly trust with my soul. You are so willing to help me through my problems. You are actually there for me, and reliable. You are the first person that I have ever wanted to keep alive over my own life and safety…. So, please, promise me you won't die… Don’t leave me alone again.” His eyes began to water and a tear ran down his cheek. He continued to stare at the water, remembering how cold it was to be alone. How unforgiving the world was when you have no one to turn to. He didn’t want to go back to that. That coldness that he was used to, that sorrow that had plagued him. 

@Eatos

Atzo thought for a moment, it was a topic he had avoided trying to think about up until this point. He shrugged “I guess try to live a better life. Keep connected to those I have met in the game. Attempt to reintegrate into society. Continue my studies and hopefully settle down and start a family. Though, I can’t say I really know for sure. I am afraid of a lot when I go back to the real world. Will I have a group of cops waiting for me? Will I be able to escape my old life? I don’t have hope like everyone else seems to. I have fear of what will come, fear of what is in store for me. I still want to help everyone get back to their lives, but I am scared.” He brought his knees up to his chest, sadness apparent in his eyes. He looked into the water, trying to calm back down. It was hard for him to handle the problems that faced him when it came time to enter into the real world again.  “What about you? What are your plans?” 
@Eatos

Eatos lit up with joy, it was an interesting sight. “Huh, that is really cute” Atzo thought to himself a smile on his face. Before thinking about the best answer to that question. “Kinda… I mean, I read a lot but until recently it wasn’t really by my choice. That's not to say I didn’t enjoy it, though. I read textbooks mostly, though I prefered to read fantasy and adventure, I could imagine the books and put myself in the shoes of the main character and break free of my life for a while. Specifically the Artemis Fowl series, The Alchemist series, and anything by H.P. Lovecraft. Though I read more than just those. Most of the time I could get my parents to let me by telling them I was studying literature.” 
They was a clearing in front of them, it was beach like. Atzo walked over to it and took a seat in the sand. They had a clear view of the crystal-like waterfall that had a smooth constant calming sound to it. 
@Eatos

Atzo noticed the slight surprise when he said the word romance. Though he didn’t mention it, he had no idea how to even begin to address it. Instead he changed the topic of his mind, focusing on what she said.
Atzo was silent for a while as he toyed with the idea of doing things without intentions. It was so foreign to him, and yet it was what he was doing. Strange how these things were. “What did you like to read?” He didn’t know what it was like to do things for enjoyment, the closest he ever came was when he would go to the forest with Ren but even then they had intention. He began to wonder why he hadn’t ran from this yet. Why he hadn’t turned away. He was used to change, sure. But this was different, this was unique change. “Perhaps I should just admit defeat for one in my life, admit that I can’t succeed, that I won't.” he thought. “Why is it that I don't want to here? What is it that keeps me from this? Determination? Or  something else?” There was a slight, perhaps unnoticeable, tint of sadness in his eyes as he thought about it.
@Eatos

Atzo nodded “I realize how exact things are and how fantastically they have been created every time I set foot on a new floor. In a way, this is real. Its not like we can think ‘well you don’t know me in real life so there is no reason to get attached.’ this is our lives. There is no outside world for us as it stands. Is it a simulation? Yeah, but who is to say that our lives in the ‘real world’ isn’t? And does knowing that you live in a simulated world change the fact that it is real to you? It depends on the person but to me it doesn’t. I have the chance to live a different, better life here. I have the possibility to do what I want, Be who I want. Saying this is just a game in my eyes is beside the point. We are having experiences that are just as real as if we were in the real world.” He paused and sighed “That is why this is hard for me. I am not used to being sincere with my emotions, being sincere with my intentions for… romance? I think is the word. So this is completely foreign to me. Normally I do this to gain trust and information, I have a plan mapped out. I know exactly how my time with the person will go and all the different ways it can go. I don’t have that now, I don’t have a goal in mind. I don’t have a plan. But that is okay, I am happy to be with you. I am happy to be having experience with someone I trust and have this strange admiration for. Its… Nice” 
He realized when he was done that he had probably said too much at once, “[censored],” He thought “I really need to take better care with my words.”
@Eatos

Atzo casually glanced around, not nervously or with precision like normal. Instead he was taking in the environment. He walked with his arms loosely at his sides once more. He gave a little light hearted chuckle “Yeah, I took a strange quest a while back here that was about physically fighting your inner demons. Ever since then I have always felt calm here. Also you seem to be able to relax my tense muscles.” He kept walking, and observed her demeanor as well. She seemed happy or at least calm, though he did not know why. “What am I supposed to say?” he asked himself, “for the first time in years I don’t know. How is this different from the other dates I went on? Is it the strange feeling? The fact I have sincere intentions?” They kept walking, he could feel his hand brush against hers. It dawned on him just how little he knew about this, though he wasn’t concerned by it. Instead it was okay, he had a reason to be okay and trust himself instead of worry about everything he said.

@Eatos

Atzo was slightly startled, as see by his quick tensing and relaxing. He blinked a couple times as his blurry vision was cleared. “Hey, how are you doing today?” It was a nice sight to wake up to, he couldn’t deny that. He had his normal smirk-like grin on his face. “Well, at least you made it here. It is good to see that you are unharmed, and it is probably best to let her sleep. I am sure she will be full of energy when you get back though.” Atzo felt… something seeing here there. It was good but he couldn’t place the emotion. He assumed it was happiness but still. He hopped off the rock and stood beside her. “Well, shall we walk a little bit? Take in the scenery?” It was strange how calm he felt, though that was partially why he chose this place. It had a tendency to calm people. He hoped it would have the same effect on her but didn’t hold his breath. Instead he chose to focus on the opportunity he had before him. Perhaps he could learn more about emotions today, learn more about Eatos and himself both.

@Eatos

Atzo sat on a bench in one of the plaza’s in Delilah. He was wearing <<The King’s Cloth>>, <<Leather Coat>> and <<Deterioration>>. “I need to take the quest that I saved Stry and Kyo from. Never actually completed it myself.” He thought to himself. “Perhaps I can find the quest giver somewhere here.” He had a casual smirk-like grin on his face. The emerald green armour seeming to flow as he walked. It was a good look for him. “I will have to thank Eatos and Hei during the next meeting of Nobles. I wonder if there is anyone here that will accompany me.” He surveyed the area looking for someone who wasn’t busy and might need the SP as much as he did. Though the busy town made it a challenge to find people to ask. He shook his head and decided to go to the Cafe and look there. 
As he entered the Cafe he ordered an Iced Chai Tea and went to sit on the porch, ever vigilant as to who may be around that could help him.

@Pinball
 

Atzo sat on the familiar stone at the Waterfall of the Sage, waiting patiently for Eatos. He had sent a message to her as soon as he arrived there to inform her that he would be heading up and asking her to join him for the date if she was free. He was early, very early, mostly because he wanted to make sure he planned the walk out correctly. He still wondered what had happened that day on floor four. It left him completely drained the next day, though he didn’t mind it. He whistled the melody to the song 'Mr. Sandman' as he waited and meditated. His eyes closed, legs crossed, slightly dozing. He was at peace here ever since he completed <<Calming the Soul>>. He hoped that he would hear her approach but doubted it given how he was on the verge of falling asleep, the calming presence of the waterfall aiding this. He was wearing The King's Cloth, his new blade <<Deterioration>> at his hip. He held the <<Hoya of Minos>> loosely in his hand, slowly fidgeting with it.

@Eatos

Atzo shrugged “I honestly would be surprised if Vargas was worried. I don’t know him that well. Obviously Stry would be worried, but that is because he thinks he owes me something and looks up to me.” He walked towards the main city, hands now loosely at his sides. “And I guess that is true. It is only right to have and exchange of such.” He got lost in thought as they walked though was still listening to her. It didn’t take long for them to reach her blacksmith shop. “Well, I guess I will see you at the waterfall. Don’t get lost, and be careful.” once she was inside he began his walk back to his mansion. “So much has happened. What new chapters of my life has been flipped open? Will this even be a new chapter, or instead a fall back into the first? I hope it is the former and fear the latter. But regardless, now is not the time to fear”

@Eatos

Atzo entered <<The Hanger>>. It was a cozy tailor's shop, he walked around a little bit before approaching the counter. “Hello there my Duke of the Pen. How are you?” He said with his normal smirk-like grin “Eatos told me she ordered some armour for me, and I got your message telling me they were done. I appreciate it.” He took The King’s Cloth and tried it on. It was precisely what he was looking for. “It fits wonderfully, excellent job! Now all I need is the crown and I will be in business.” he chuckled. Before he turned to leave. “Oh, and there will be a guild meeting soon so be sure to watch for the message about it. Thanks again, bud.” With that he left the floor one shop and made his way to the transporter going back to his mansion for the night. “I am surprised how exact this is, I will have to make sure to order more from him in the future”

OOC: Eatos gave me permission to pick this up

+ The King's Cloth

Atzo looked around, observing the scenery. Sure he already had done this but now he was trying to figure out why he saw everything in a different light. Instead of the hash world he normally saw, now it was all less threatening. There were things that he began to see the beauty in that he would have passed over before. “What is this?” he thought to himself “Is there really so much of the world I have yet to explore? After everything I have been through, after all that I have seen, known, and experienced; why is it that I have never seen things a beautiful? Why is this so… easy?” He looked to Eatos who seemed to be deep in thought. “Why does she trust me? After all that I have told her, after all that she has been through. I don’t know where to begin, what to think.” He looked around, slowly stood up and stretched and held a hand out to help her off the fallen tree. “We ought to be heading back soon… Thank you for everything Eatos. I really do appreciate how you have helped me. Also, thank you for being open with me. I know how hard it is.”

@Eatos

Atzo thought and nodded. “The waterfall it is then, It's a beautiful floor, lush with plants and wildlife. If nothing else it will be a good place to sit and talk. Not to mention the waterfall has strange calming properties.” He paused, pondering things. Rummaging through the thoughts in his mind. “Oh and at this point, I don’t have the choice to lie to you. It sounds worse than what it is though. As I said before, I value you too much to lie to you about such things. I value your company, your smile and your understanding nature. So I will be honest with you, I can’t afford not to.” Atzo knew there was a better way to put that, though he could not think of how. “When was the last time I felt the ability to be this open with someone?” He mumbled to himself, unaware that he was speaking aloud “I can't seem to find a time or place. Perhaps there isn’t one, perhaps this will be the only time. Still, regardless as to what happens I will not let this get in the way of my friendship with her. She is the only person I have met I can really, honestly say I trust”

@Eatos

Atzo saw her turn away slightly but didn’t know why. He saw her cheeks redden. “Wait… what does that mean?” he asked himself mentally. “Is that n-” there was a jab in his side. “Yeah, but I meant an angry hit. Also, why did your cheeks flare like that?” He noticed that he still had a dumb grin on his face and cooled himself down a little bit, his face returning to the casual smirk-like grin he normally wore. Though there was clear purpose behind it now.
He stopped petting the pooch and placed his arm back around Eatos. “So, I was thinking, there is a beautiful waterfall on Floor Six called the Waterfall of the Sage. It is a good place to meditate and to observe the surroundings. Would you be okay with us going there? Or would you rather do something more… traditional?” He really didn’t care at this point. Though he didn’t know what to do, or what to think fully. He wasn’t sure he liked this, it was so odd to not be able to think properly but there was something… nice about it. Something that told him it was okay.
@Eatos

Atzo saw the confusion in her eyes. She was right to be confused, he was confused beyond belief himself. He sat thinking. Then there was a small bark from somewhere closeby and before Atzo knew it there was a husky puppy in Eatos’ arms. His eyes widened. “Oh my God there's a dog” He thought to himself as he reached out to pet it. “It's such a good puppy” Atzo said as he pet the dog Eatos was holding.
Then Eatos answered his question. It wasn’t the answer he expected; his face lit up, a genuine full smile appearing on his face. “Wait… Really?” his eyes showed a mix of joy and confusion “I was expecting a punch or smack or for you to run like most people do.” He didn’t know much more to say. “Don’t worry, I am not going to do such things. I value you too much for that. And I wouldn’t want to get attacked by this little vicious creature” he returned to petting the puppy. While he was still keeping an eye on everything around him he was very absorbed in Eatos and the puppy. Though, dogs had a tendency to do that to him.
@Eatos

Placeholder

ID# 86825

Stats

Atzo tightened his grip slightly as she cuddled closer to him. “You aren’t an idiot.” He said with a kind and caring but firm tone, though it was quick to revert to a more. Something popped into his head, something he hadn’t been thinking about. “That is probably a good choice. I have been molded my whole life by my father, they turned me into a machine. While I know what I am doing, I fear I would take a similar path trying to mold another and that worries me. I give you my word, something I don’t give easily, that I will not attempt to mold you. I give you my word that I will protect you and this guild with my life.” He took a deep breath, falling silent. 
Atzo then began delving into what it was that had been growing. “What is this?” he thought to himself, “This want… this need to protect her… This ever growing want to stay with her?” He kept quiet for a while before things started to dawn on him. “Hey, Eatos…. Perhaps this is a little much and at the wrong time, but I have a question for you. Are you willing to go on a date with me? I won't hold anything against you if you say no. I am going to be honest with you, there is some strange amount of an emotion that I do not know that has been steadily growing from the start of our adventure today. Some sort of… immense admiration for you that I cannot seem to place.” 
Atzo took another deep breath, loosening his grip on her. He was prepared for her to run, punch or smack him.

@Eatos