Pinball

The soldier died quickly. The crystal, like his knives and his arms, disappeared beneath his cloak. Pinball remained motionless where he stood, allowing the two to recover themselves from the heat of battle. Was that the whole quest? Pinball was unfamiliar with the trilogy, despite his frequent visits to the Fourth Floor. He was about to ask as much, but his mouth shut before it could form the words. For one reason or another, he didn't want to ask. Instead, he turned his attention to the performer. 

"Thank you for the crystals, Acanthus," Pinball said. They had been very helpful, and he had no doubt that they would continue to be. He kept saying it, but he would have another order for her at some point down the line. It was just a matter of funds, and he could accrue such funds fairly quickly if he set his mind to it. It was just that recently, he'd been occupied with other things. Pinball looked to Morningstar, wondering if their quest was officially completed. "That it?"

Circe's knives found themselves buried in the back of the Forgotten Time King, but not once did the withered husk of a mob even consider looking back towards her. Pinball was drawing too much aggro. The new player attacking came to Pinball as a surprise, but a welcome one -- their damage wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't inconsiderable, either. Pinball, being used to feeling out the health bars of mobs, felt that she had lined up his kill perfectly. 

All at once he flickered forwards, his body stepping in and out of shadow. He took two knives by the handle and drove them home into the gut of the Forgotten Time King. Because of the height difference, Pinball found himself thrusting upwards. Maybe it took a bit of the impact away from it in the end, but it was more than enough to finish the job. 

The Forgotten Time King's body dissipated instantaneously, fractals of data carried away by an invisible wind. Pinball spun his knives back into his hands, which disappeared beneath his cloak. He pulled his hood back up. He didn't waste any time making for his exit. He walked coolly past Omen and Circe and vanished without a word. 

*** 
Action Taken: [TECH-D] [-13 EN]
Forgotten Time King: ID#232043 BD: 2+5 (Hit) - 25*16 = 400-40= 360 DMG 

(H:0) Omen:  HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 7 | MIT:34 | THORNS:18 | REGEN: 2
(H:1) Circe: HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 10 | MIT:6 | ACC:3 | EVA:2
(H:4) Pinball: 1,008/1,008 HP | 53/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 44 | LD: 6 | HLY: 8 | FLN: 8 | Phase [Rend CD: 3/5]

Forgotten Time King: 0/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 40 (-20, -20, -20) | ACC: 3 [SHATTER III, 0/3] 

Another blow came, another blow went whizzing by. The Forgotten Time King was very good at missing its attacks today. Pinball almost felt bad about using all those consumables earlier, if he wasn't going to take a single hit. But that was a foolish thing to think. If he hadn't buffed it, and he had taken a hit, or missed his attacks, he would have been left wanting for them. It was always better to be safe than sorry. He needed to make sure he remembered that, going forward. It was one of his biggest, most consistent mistakes. 

His daggers flew. Pinball stayed on the outside now, kiting the Forgotten Time King's wild attacks. Despite its gargantuan spear, it was not as good at closing the distance as Pinball was at creating it. Almost half a dozen knives sunk into the Time King's chest. Pinball had pulled a different blade now that he was done messing with his Status Effects, and the blades he'd thrown had glowed with a deep red aura. The Fallen enhancement had activated. 

***
Free Action: [Quick Change] - {Hellfire} -> {Astral Blade} 
Action Taken: [TECH-D] [-13 EN] 
Forgotten Time King: ID#231954 BD: 6 (Hit) MD: 5 (Miss) - 25+8= 33*16= 528-40= 488 DMG

(H:0) Omen:  HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 7 | MIT:34 | THORNS:18 | REGEN: 2
(H:0) Circe: HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 10 | MIT:6 | ACC:3 | EVA:2
(H:4) Pinball: 1,008/1,008 HP | 62/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 44 | LD: 6 | HLY: 8 | FLN: 8 | Phase [Rend CD: 3/5] 

Forgotten Time King: 408/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 40 (-20, -20, -20) | ACC: 3 [SHATTER: 3/3] [64 TVM: 3/3]

The Forgotten Time King thrust with his great spear. It missed again, unsurprisingly. Pinball had fought this thing once before, on his own. He'd come with even more buffs this time, and already with a knowledge of its attack patterns. It shouldn't have been surprising that the fight was passing by so easily -- but it was. And maybe that was because the Forgotten Time King Pinball was fighting now was nothing like the Forgotten Time King that he had fought previously. It was strange. And he would have to go and look for a reason for that change later. 

But for now, Pinball's knives carved crimson smiles in the digital torso of the Forgotten Time King. Its body writhed with pulsing black veins, pumped chock full of the potent venoms Pinball's knives were laced with. He was surprised it even had veins, it looked so much like a corpse. Its health was dropping fast. Compared to the last time, Pinball was making even quicker time of the fight now. And that was absolutely nothing to complain about. 

***
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-D] [-12 EN]
Forgotten Time King: ID#231875 BD: 4+5 (Hit) MD: 6-3 (Miss) - 25*16= 400-20= 380 DMG

(H:0) Omen:  HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 7 | MIT:34 | THORNS:18 | REGEN: 2
(H:0) Circe: HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 10 | MIT:6 | ACC:3 | EVA:2
(H:3) Pinball: 1,008/1,008 HP | 71/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 44 | LD: 6 | TVM: 32 | BRN: 56 | BLD: 48 | BLT: 32 | STC: 40 [Rend CD: 1/5] 

Forgotten Time King: 960/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 20 (-20, -20, -20, -20) | ACC: 3 [BLT REDUC: 2/2] [SHATTER: 3/3] [112 BRN: 2/2] [96 BLD: 2/2] [64 BLT: 2/2] [80 STC: 2/2] [64 TVM: 2/3] [56 RND: 2/2] (416 DoT DMG) 

The first attack had landed -- good. Now for the next one. The Forgotten King swung wildly, and Pinball had no issue deftly dodging the spear swinging overhead. Pinball's form flickered as he activated Vanish. The Forgotten Time King didn't know where he'd went. But it didn't have to wonder long. Pinball reappeared, kicking up its bony back and burying two knives between its shoulder blades. Pinball used its back as a spring board and created more distance between them, a new pair of knives flashing into his hands. At some point during the combat, his hood had fell around his shoulders, revealing his face. Pinball looked young, with an icy expression and piercing blue eyes. The Forgotten Time King's rotten skull of a face harshly juxtaposed his own. 

"Not so talkative this time, are you..." Pinball murmured. 

***

Free Action: [Vanish] [-5 EN] - ID#231813 LD: 8+6= 14 Stealth Rating 
Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-D] [-14 EN]
Forgotten Time King: ID#231814 BD: 6 (Hit) MD: 2 (Miss) - 25*16= 400/2 = 200-14= 160 DMG, Status Effects Applied

(H:0) Omen:  HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 7 | MIT:34 | THORNS:18 | REGEN: 2
(H:0) Circe: HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 10 | MIT:6 | ACC:3 | EVA:2
(H:2) Pinball: 1,008/1,008 HP | 85/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 44 | LD: 6 | TVM: 32 | BRN: 56 | BLD: 48 | BLT: 32 | STC: 40 [Rend CD: 1/5] 

Forgotten Time King: 1,756/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 40 (-20, -20, -20) | ACC: 3 [BLT REDUC: 1/2] [SHATTER: 2/3] [112 BRN: 1/2] [96 BLD: 1/2] [64 BLT: 1/2] [80 STC: 1/2] [64 TVM: 1/3] [56 RND: 2/2] (472 DoT DMG) 

They came upon the soldier's camp suddenly. The mangled corpse of an NPC laid off to the corner, prompting the NPC traveling with them to burst into tears. The soldier stood, tearing meat off a bone with his teeth, and announced his pleasure in their emminent slaughter. The enemy's eyes were wild, bloodlusted, soulless. 

Same old, same old. 

Acanthus threw herself into the thick of it first, landing a solid strike and applying bleed to the Night King's Soldier. Not wanting to take up too much space, she shifted her position, leaving Pinball with enough room to make a clean shot. With both Morningstar and Acanthus on his side and attacking, the unfortunately named Night King's Soldier was not long for this world. No need to get fancy, he thought. Pinball flicked a knife at the mob. The blade left a thin slice across its left cheek and continued into the wilderness beyond, causing the Soldier to laugh wildly in response. His attack had barely connected, after all! 

From beneath his cloak Pinball produced the Soundtrack and activated it. He held it gingerly aloft in his palm, not raised and not outstretched, and watched. 

Stemming from the cut, a dark sickness seemed to pollute the Soldier's blood, spreading rapidly across its face, down its neck, and everywhere else. Black, wormlike veins bulged from beneath its skin and tears ran down the Soldier's face like ink. It had been a long time since he'd seen the weapon's effects on a humanoid opponent. The last person to experience it, Pinball realized, had been Bahr. 

There was music in the air. 

***

He could hear Omen and Circe conversing behind him as he vanished, but his pace did not slow as he entered the throne room of the Forgotten Time King. Pinball was there for one simple thing. He'd do it and then he'd leave. As Omen and Circe entered the boss room, the Forgotten Time King rose to his feet, reaching its withered arm for the weapon at its side and staring, eyeless and soulless, at the two players and the entrance of the boss room. 

Pinball was in its blind spot. 

Exploding from the corners of its vision with knives in its hand, Pinball carved a great twin red arc across the body of The Forgotten Night King. That got its attention. It thrust its great spear in Pinball's direction, but Pinball was too quick. He felt the electrified air beside him crackle with energy. 

They were in it now. 

*** 

10 Stealth Rating

Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-D] [Sneak Attack Trickster] [-20 EN] 
Free Action: Sound of the Wild {Instant Incarcerate} - DoT Damage Doubled
Forgotten Time King: ID#231485 BD: 3+5 (Hit) MD: 1 (Miss) - 25*16= 400/2 - 60 = 140 DMG, [REND] [STATUS EFFECTS APPLIED] 

(H:0) Omen:  HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 7 | MIT:34 | THORNS:18 | REGEN: 2
(H:0) Circe: HP: 100/100 | EN: 28/28 | DMG: 10 | MIT:6 | ACC:3 | EVA:2
(H:1) Pinball: 1,008/1,008 HP | 100/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 44 | LD: 6 | TVM: 32 | BRN: 56 | BLD: 48 | BLT: 32 | STC: 40 [Rend CD: 0/5] 

Forgotten Time King: 2,388/3000 | DMG: 275 | MIT: 60 (-20, -20) | ACC: 3 [BLT REDUC: 1/2] [SHATTER: 1/3] [112 BRN: 1/2] [96 BLD: 1/2] [64 BLT: 1/2] [80 STC: 1/2] [64 TVM: 1/3] [56 RND: 1/2] (472 DoT DMG) 

Omen and Circe couldn’t be more different, in looks or personality, Pinball thought. Omen greeted him politely, and Circe was by far more curt. He didn’t reply to either. Instead, he nodded. He wasn’t of a mind to linger either. He turned and pushed the great wrought iron doors open. The hall seemed to shake under their moving weight. With the doors open, the room was finally visible. It was a wide and barren room of cold stone and destroyed architecture. Pinball paused for half a second. The room looked nothing like it had when he’d taken the quest solo. Whatever — it hardly mattered. The fight was the same. Across the room in the distance slumbered the Forgotten Time King, collapsed upon his ruined throne. 

“Enter with me and keep your distance.” And with those simple instructions, Pinball stepped inside. At some point mid-stride, shadows devoured his form and he vanished, leaving Omen and Circe by themselves. 

***

Stealth: ID#231468 LD: 3+6+1 (Multipurpose) = 10 Stealth Rating

Pinball waited by the doors that led to the Forgotten Time King's throne. 

He was waiting for two players, named Omen and Circe. They were new, and from what he'd seen, eager to make their way to the frontlines. That made Pinball, despite his outwardly cold demeanor, eager to usher them along. The Forgotten Time King was the quickest, easiest, and safe way to promote a jump in player levels. It was why he had sent Omen there in the first place. And it was also why when Omen reached out to him about helping another player in the same way, Pinball had accepted. He finished up the consumables and waited. 

Pinball wore a black cloak long black cloak and dark clothes under it. Icy blue eyes peered out at the world from beneath the shadows of his hood. He heard them approaching long before they'd arrived. 

When they were within sight, he nodded his silent greeting. 

*** 

Consuming: 

x1 Liquor of Might: DMG III 
x1 Tofu Burger: Protein II 
x1 Bubbling Bourbon: +15% Overhealth {229729} -> {Filling} +20% Overhealth
x1 smores: EVA II 
x1 T4 Brainworm Draught: [0/3 32 TVM]

[Pinball: 840/840 HP | 120/120 EN | DMG: 20 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 4 | BH: 37 | LD: 6]
[Pinball: 1,008/1,008 HP | 120/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 6 | BH: 44 | LD: 6 | TVM: 32 | BRN: 56 | BLD: 48 | BLT: 32 | STC: 40]

Player Stats (unbuffed):

Sending over: 

x10 creme brulee: acc ii 

x3 yaki hatahata: (+15 mit) 

x5 skewer roll: protein ii 

x5 Liquor of Might: DMG III 

"Sorry," he said. He had not even reacted to the shrieking of the NPC, and his blank expression did not change even as Acanthus fell face first into the snow. It did occur to him that he could have texted, and also that he had said he would warn Acanthus next time. The best he could offer was a sheepish shrug. "Bad habit. Didn't want to be rude." 

He nodded to Morningstar. They had met a few times previously, and like Acanthus had said, there was no need for introductions. "Night King's Trilogy?" He asked. 

Pinball kept his fingers crossed that he had been right in his assumptions, though from the NPC trailing behind them, his suspicions had been all but confirmed. Levi was the NPC that came along for most of the quest, if he was not mistaken (although he very well could be). "Hope it's okay if I invite myself." 

Again he found himself at the mobile food shop, and again he decided that it was likely too good of an opportunity to pass up. He got some shopping done, refreshing his personal stock of evasion and accuracy consumables, as well as some extra to help out a couple consumables he'd be giving away to a couple of new players on the side. His wallet was reaching empty pretty quickly, he noticed, and he figured that it was probably time to go ahead and get to grinding up some more funds pretty soon. For now, he paid, and went back on his own way. 

*** 

Purchasing: 

Purchasing x20 creme brulee | acc ii 
500 * 20 = 10,000 Col 

Purchasing x10 smores. | eva 2
20 materials 

purchasing x3 yaki hatahata | tier 1 perfect mit 
3 materials 

purchasing x5 skewer roll | protein ii 
6 materials, 1000 col 

Total: 11,000 Col, 29 Materials

He didn't enjoy the eyes on him, but then again he didn't like company, either. He was going a bit out of his comfort zone with this one, but if it meant getting another quest on his belt, he didn't mind. The others didn't seem super hostile towards him either, and that was a plus. The last thing he wanted was to get jumped by a group of frontliners. So far most of them hadn't even acknowledged his existence. Pinball took that as an absolute win. 

No sooner had the party embarked on their journey were they jumped by a gaggle of undead dudes. And dudes was a pretty appropriate thing to call them. Morningstar wasted no time shredding through Jack and Jim, but he left behind John and Archibald. Pinball cleaned up, finishing the job. They barely had a sliver of health between them. He put a blade between the eyes of each. His knives disappeared again beneath his cloak, and he continued on. 

*** 

Looting: 

Undead John: ID: 231417 | LD: 16+0=16 | CD:1+0=1 | Col:1980, Mats:2, [231417a] T1 Rare Consumable, [231417b] T1 Rare Weapon     
Undead Archibald: ID: 231418 | LD: 20+0=20 | CD:6+0=6 | Col:0, Mats:0, [231418a] T1 Perfect Armor/Shield, [231418b] T1 Perfect Trinket     

And much like every meeting they'd had since starting the quest line, Pinball joined Acanthus on the outskirts of the Sixteenth Floor's safezone. The next quest had them fighting a fish, but first they'd have to go and fish it up. Swell. Pinball had once been one of the few people with the Fishing skill, back before it had been turned into a profession -- and now he also held the profession, although he never found much reason to use it. Apparently, though, it would make their time on that boat a little bit easier for them, and so he was grateful for that. 

Acanthus greeted him simply, and Pinball responded in kind. "Hello," he replied. If she was acting any differently, he did not yet realize.

"Come on. There's a boat down by the water already." 

*** 

Player Stats: 

He followed them out of Snowfrost, and stayed hidden until they were well away from the settlement and any other prying eyes. They were traveling with an NPC, but that didn't matter. NPCs were usually easier to hide from anyways. Acanthus and Morningstar were in the middle of conversation when Pinball reappeared. He popped up a few feet behind him, and walked a little bit with them and would say nothing until they noticed him. He figured it was rude to interrupt, and he didn't want to scare them by popping out of nowhere and saying hello. Pinball had done that plenty of times, and the most common reaction was the person practically jumping out of their skin. And while it amused him, it was also a little rude. So he walked silently for the time being, awaiting an appropriate lull in conversation to interject himself, or for them to notice that he was walking right behind them. 

Was that creepier? He wasn't sure. Hopefully not. Pinball hadn't given it much thought. 

Pinball's face twisted in an ugly rage. 

"You think that's fucking funny?" It had been a very long time since Pinball had been so shocked, disgusted, infuriated. He didn't know who this person was, but he was beginning to see that they weren't your average fresh player in need of help. Whoever they were, they were deeply disturbed, and adrenaline pumped through his digital veins, urging him to action. But he resisted, instead glaring down at her with eyes of ice and a tone that dripped venom. "Yeah, you've got my attention." 

Pinball stood right where he was, his expression grim. He pulled his hood back over his head. "Go on ahead and turn in your quest," he spat, "and don't worry a bit." 

His eyes glinted an icy blue, a chill gold, flashing beneath the darkness of his hood. "I'll find you when you're out." 

Without another word, Pinball's body was consumed by shadow, and he vanished. 

*** 

Stealth: ID#231344 LD: 13+6= 19 Stealth Rating

He was standing in between buildings and hugging shadowed corners of the city as soon as they had entered. He followed from a far, careful not to attract any unwanted attention. He watched Mishiro begin her search and felt the simple desire to walk beside her without having to hide. The thought made his face twist. He'd thrown that luxury away a long time ago (and how dare you for even thinking you'd want it). Pinball buried the thought deep down and followed. 

She'd picked on a place a little ways off the larger roads, something comparatively inconspicuous. While Mishiro headed inside to prepare food a room, Pinball waited outside. He was not seen, nor heard, and the crowd of NPCs moved about their day none the wiser. It was as almost as if he didn't exist at all. Eyes of ice stared out at the world from the shadows of an alleyway. 

A window overhead was opened and Pinball looked up to find Mishiro propped on the sill, her eyes closed. Pinball stayed quiet, and for a moment, didn't do anything but watch her. 

He kicked up the wall and stood crouched in the windowsill beside her, his hand against the frame for balance. He was half in, half out, his cloak trailing behind him, and he was looking at her when he appeared. "Hey." He glanced behind him, taking in the view of the city streets from where they stood before entering the room from the window. "Sorry for the wait."

Pinball unequipped his cloak and took a curious look at the plates and platters set out for them. 

Just a few days later, Pinball slipped into Acanthus's shop again. This time, it wasn't so late. He was here to place an order. There were still more crystals he needed -- his build had always been reliant on items, unfortunately -- and Acanthus was the only person that seemed available and willing to help Pinball get his hands on them. He left the form blank other than the item quality and enhancements desired. He sent the materials over just a few swipes through his menu later. "I can't afford the Soundtrack for this one," he said, "yet. This will hold me over for a bit, though. Thank you, Acanthus." 

*** 

Sent x25 Mats over as payment :) 

It wasn't long before the bears were again within sight. And within earshot, he might add. The huffing and puffing and grunting had gone on uninterrupted, it seemed, and Pinball was not that much happier about it than he was when he'd left. He'd gone off to take on that dungeon in the hopes that it would cut off whatever was supplying the sheer quantity of these bears on his front lawn. Now it was time to put it to the test, he supposed. Pinball retrieved his daggers and got to cutting them up. He didn't overextend this time, however. His energy was already low, and he'd only be able to blender a few of the bears before he had to wait for his energy to recover again. He took his time with it, slashing into two of the bears in quick succession, and flicking another pair of blades at another pair. 

*** 

Action Taken: {Well Rested} [TECH-F] [-16 EN] 
Free Action: Using Rhino Horn (+3 DMG, -1 EVA) 
Bear 52: ID#231256 BD: 3+5 - 416 DMG 
Bear 53: ID#231257 BD: 8 - 416 DMG 
Bear 54: ID#231258 BD: 8 - 416 DMG 
Bear 55: ID#231259 BD: 1+5 - 416 DMG

Pinball: 840/840 HP | 28/120 EN | DMG: 25 | ABS.ACC | ACC: 5 | EVA: 2 | BH: 37 | Hellstorm: +80 DMG | Looting LD: +14 | Looting CD: +2 

Bear 52: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG 
Bear 53: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG
Bear 54: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG
Bear 55: 0/416 HP | 132 DMG

Looting: 

Bear 52: ID: 231260 | LD: 11+14=25 | CD:9+2=11 | Col:1248, Mats:4, [231260a] Gleaming Scale (1) or Demonic Shard (1), [231260b] Random Dungeon Map
Bear 53: ID: 231261 | LD: 11+14=25 | CD:9+2=11 | Col:1248, Mats:4, [231261a] Gleaming Scale (1) or Demonic Shard (1), [231261b] Random Dungeon Map     
Bear 54: ID: 231262 | LD: 8+14=22 | CD:6+2=8 | Col:2912, Mats:0, [231262a] T4 Perfect Armor/Shield, [231262b] T4 Perfect Consumable, [231262c] T4 Perfect Consumable     
Bear 55: ID: ID: 231263 | LD: 13+14=27 | CD:7+2=9 | Col:1248, Mats:4, [231263a] Gleaming Scale (1) or Demonic Shard (1), [231263b] Random Dungeon Ma

He scoffed. As if he could find an appraiser that would do him such a solid. Hand a stack of weapons and armor to a killer? For what reason? To join the frontlines? Fat chance. Pinball made his way back down the broken forest path, back towards his home and the remaining ocean of bears he had yet to clear out. Pinball swiped idly through his inventory, equipping again the gear that was more suited for mowing through the bears and looting. The old, tattered cloak of the Emerald Harbingers appeared around his shoulders and Pinball felt as though he were embraced by the echoes of ages past. Then came the cat's cradle, and Tyrfing, the weapon that practically ensured his every hit. Pinball flipped the blade absentmindedly in one hand before returning it beneath his cloak. Home wasn't much farther now. It was easier to make progress when you weren't being jumped by bears.

*** 

Equipping: 

Black Cloak -> Cloak of the Harbingers 
Astral Blade -> Tyrfing 
Warrior's Focus -> Shadow Cat's Crade

Pinball watched from where he stood, propped up against the building. Acanthus and Morningstar were talking. About what, exactly, he couldn't tell. They were too far. He hoped they were talking about the quest. He hoped they were there for the quest. Pinball realized that they could just be meeting up. Oh no. That would look bad. 

He decided not to stress and to instead trust his intuition. If they weren't, no biggie. He looked like a creep and went and finished the quest by himself. So what? It wasn't like people's perception of him could get much worse. He kept his eyes on the two, and if they began to trail away, he would follow, sticking to the edges of buildings and close to alleyways. Maybe the guards were busy with the festival, but he didn't want to chance it. Pinball wasn't a huge fan of getting thrown out on his ass. 

*** 

Stealth: ID# 231255 LD: 14+6 = 20 Stealth Rating

"So this is a Soundtrack, huh...?" His voice was a whisper as he held the crystal to the light. Pinball nearly activated it, but decided not to. As promised, he had slipped into the shop after hours, in the dead of night. Acanthus was, for the moment, nowhere to be seen -- and if for whatever reason she was asleep somewhere in her shop, Pinball didn't want to disturb her rest. Instead, he inspected the items' information. The incarcerates were pretty standard, but as he began to read the Soundtrack's description, Pinball paused. 

The smallest of smiles cracked the ice of his face. He thoughtfully tossed the crystal in his palm a bit, then vanished. 

***

Picking up my order :) tysm! 

On 8/5/2024 at 1:33 PM, Acanthus said:

Pinball

Binding Melody (Instant Incarcerate | 228198, 229399, 228936, 229375, 229765)

Soundtrack

Name	Sound of the Wild
Roll ID	229766
Type	Soundtrack
Quality	Perfect Masterpiece
Enhancements	Instant Incarcerate
Description	An extravagant, multi-movement symphony that takes the listener to the furthest reaches of Aincrad, retracing the steps Acanthus and Pinball took in their quest <<Scent of the Wild>>.

Pinball had a weird relationship with the Fourth Floor. He tried not to linger on it, but at the end of the day, he seemed to be inexplicably drawn to it. 

Today was such a day. In the main settlement of the Fourth, Snowfrost, began a questline that Pinball had never touched. Not for any particular reason, of course. He didn't remember when it had popped up, but there seemed to be a pretty large gap in his memory regarding just when the Night King's Trilogy had even become a thing. Had it always been, and he'd just never noticed the celebrations taking place in Snowfrost? It was true he didn't hang around settlements very often, but... 

He walked invisible amongst the crowd, keeping his eyes out for who looked like the quest giver. He didn't find them -- but what he did was much more surprising. Morningstar and Acanthus? Pinball leaned against the side of a building and watched from a distance. If they were here for what he thought they were, he'd probably be able to join them just through his proximity. It'd certainly make things easier for him. 

Hopefully they wouldn't mind. 

*** 

Stealth: ID#231233 LD: 17+6= 22 Stealth Rating 

Player Stats: 

"It's alright," Pinball said. She didn't need to apologize, but she did -- and said that she'll be able to keep up. Acanthus told him that next time, she'd be fighting just as hard as him. "I know you will." He knew she'd been hitting quests between the ones they took together. That was good. When he'd set out with Acanthus, it was to help push her onto the frontlines. They needed all the help they could get up there. It wouldn't hurt to know somebody trustworthy there, too. Regardless, Pinball would be watching. 

"It would make it easier," he agreed. "But yeah, no worries. I'll just do that. No need for a courier." Sneaking into a settlement wasn't particularly difficult, but at times it could be time consuming. He didn't mind going in for stuff like that, though, especially not after he'd dumped such a large order on Acanthus's lap. He thought about it for a moment. "I might have another order for you, later. I'll just have to grind a bit first." 

Finally they arrived, and Pinball stopped some distance away. He didn't speak, but would reply if Acanthus did. With a quiet farewell, Pinball turned around and disappeared back into the wilderness of the Tenth Floor. 

Pinball's spirits were immediately lifted. He just about smiled. "Of course," he said, "you can drag me anywhere." His mind was already wandering, dreaming up a scene: rolling green hills or clean cobbled streets, a blue sky, or the smell of fresh rain and damp earth. Anything and anywhere he imagined was better than here. 

He was daydreaming, and because of that, he ended up walking closer than he'd meant to to the settlement of Knorilt. The guard lowered his weapon, but the broker they'd accepted the quest from put an arm out for him to lower it. Pinball frowned. He took a few steps back anyways and let Mishiro handle the turn-in. He had almost forgotten himself. 

Pinball rejoined her a few moments later, and she asked him if she could keep his drop from the quest. "Sure." It wasn't like he was going to be using it. He swiped his menu open and sent it over. He thought about the guard lowering his weapon as he approached. He tried not to get in his feelings about it. As Mishiro accepted the item, he let his eyes pass over her face. Again, the question crossed his mind. 

His eyes were back on the road before she closed the trade menu. 

"Floor 16 sounds nice. I wouldn't mind stopping at an inn for a bit." He hadn't slept well last night and they had been out since sunrise. A bed sounded very nice. "Unless you'd rather a picnic. I'm not super familiar with good spots for that on the 16th, though."