Ghost

The voices reply shook her. “You see… That’s where you're wrong. We’ve been watching you for a while Jade. You shouldn't get cocky with us.” Her eyes widened. How? I only told a few people my name, were, were they listening? “Who is “us”?” Jade asked cautiously. The man took a step forward. “We'll tell you, if you come with us.” That word. She suddenly didn’t feel like this was a one on one conversation. "Think about your answer carefully. Others are listening." The said stretching out his arms like a snow angel. She saw those eyes peering down at her from the roof. She heard the voices whispering to each other behind her, and the rustling of boxes and trashcans left and right. What was she going to do? She could scream, but that might only get her killed. Everyone was still asleep, minutes away from coming outside. "What if I say no?" Jade asked. "You saying no would be a problem, because that means you would need some, mental correction. If you understand what I mean." Jade, with the last of her courage, responded. "I-I don't. W-what do you mean?" The man tilted his head slightly. "Torture." Jade immediately blurted out: "But you can't get hurt in here, I won't feel a thin-" The voice swiftly cut her off, it almost sounded irritated. "Are you aware that there is more then just physical torture? For example: Forced sleep deprivation, long term isolation, and not to mention..." The man pointed the knife at his eye. "...sensory deprivation."

[OOC: I was listening to this while writing, it really puts you in the mood.]

She made out the silhouette in the dim light, standing at the entrance of the alley, the figure wore a robe, and was holding, something, it looked like a knife. Jade took a step back. I should try to say something, I can’t, sound, frightened. Jade took a deep breath. “W-who’s there?” Jade asked. The figure did nothing, it just stood there. Around fifteen seconds passed. “O-ok… I have to go, I-It was nice to meet yo-” Her voice was cut off by a masculine voice. “I can’t let you leave yet. We need to talk. In private.” Jade was both curious and scared, but she did her best not to show it. “W-what about?” She asked, her voice beginning to quiver. The figure remained silent. She was growing more and more impatient and more and more curious. “That’s for me to know, and for you to find out.” The voice finally replied. Jade didn’t know what to do. But she grew frustrated at whomever this was. “Well, I can’t talk right now. I have to go.” Jade demanded. “Not. Possible.” The voice boomed. “Oh?” Jade said tilting her head. “I don’t remember you being able to do anything here. This is a safe zone. You can’t stop me, you can’t threaten me, you can’t harm me.” Jade said confidently, crossing her arms.

She turned the corner, the pole was put back, probably by the system noticing that it was out of place because it was inside the town. She cautiously entered the alley way. She remained silent, as she took slow short steps forwards, holding her breath. The alleyway was long and it had a few turns as she went down it, it came to a dead end. Disappointed, she turned around and went back. As she walked back, she heard a second set of footsteps. She stopped, the footsteps delayed before stopping, they weren’t hers, she turned around. Nothing. She was starting to get freaked out, so she kept walking, the footsteps persisted. I don’t remember the alleyway being so long. She took a left turn to where she came. Upon arrival to the entrance, something didn't feel right. She stared into the blackness, her eyes finally began adjusting. Finally she saw it.

The sound broke the silence like a gunshot in a meadow. The sound was heavy and metallic, it sounded like something was dropped to the floor. Jade turned her head to see a silhouette retreat into the bellow alleyway, the short metal pole that fell over was rolling back in forth, as if looking for the perfect place to stop. Jade’s curiosity got the best of her, who would be awake at this hour? She opened her menu, putting on a coat, T-Shirt, and a pair of blue pants in place of her grey pajamas. She left the inn. Coming around the building, she could feel the wind pick up, it must have been blocked by the structure. The lights were all dim, all of the buildings lights were off. No one was awake if something were to happen to her, she was ALL ALONE. But they were in a safe zone, nothing bad could happen to her in that sense, right?

[OOC: Sorry if the grammar isn’t correct, I was very sleepy and sick at the time, I hope you enjoy! I also hope that you'll join me in the next chapter "Crimson Caller" which is a Private Party.]

Jade awoke early. The darkness engulfing the windows. She opened her menu, 1:31 AM. She tossed herself over trying to go back to sleep. She tossed and turned, she couldn’t sleep. She didn’t know why, usually at this time she could just close her eyes and drift off into nothingness, but for some reason she couldn’t. Was it the nightmares? The ones she had tonight weren't as bad as some of the ones she had recently, that must be it. I must be paranoid. Jade thought to herself. I can’t get sleep like this, I need to clear my head. Jade reluctantly threw off the covers, and put on some slippers via the menu, stepping off the bed, the floor made a loud CREEEEEAK. She opened the doors to the balcony, sitting down on one of the chairs. It was cold out, even her pajamas, which were exceptionally good at keeping her at just the right temperature were failing her. She was about to head back inside when something caught her attention.

[OOC: Sorry about the late response. I had a few finals I needed to do and study for.]

"T-Thanks..." Jade said cautiously before downing the substance. It was sweet and had an odd, but delicious flavor. She drank small sips, gradually the drink within the bottle disappeared. She moved onto the donut, it was a plain donut, nothing special. She wasn't a fan of them, that and frosting. If she ate to much, then she would just feel sick. Though through training and experience, her tolerance to them has expanded to about, three at a time. She eyed the donut before eating it. She was a very, very slow eater. "T-Thanks again. F-For both the food, a-and letting me j-join." She said quietly, trying not to disturb the peace that seemed to fall over everything. Jade watched as the girl got up and left. Jade tilted her head curiously. I wonder what she is up to. Jade thought to herself, before facing forward again. I guess that means everyone is going their separate ways then, the inevitable parting of ways. That sounds like something... That could work. Jade opened her menu, getting out her small black book along with a quill and began writing. She was going to stay at the table, she didn't feel like leaving, it was peaceful, quiet, and relaxing. All things Jade didn't get much of. She patiently waited for the last player to leave, using her book to waste time.

@Hazado

Jade sighed, almost relieved she didn’t have to make that kind of decision. Jade could almost relate to some of the things he said. “Indeed… I haven’t felt love either.” Jade frowned, nor has she been loved by anyone, even by her family. Jade continued to listen, intrigued. She didn’t really like to draw attention to herself, in any form. “I don’t know… It just seems like, a lot of work…” Jade didn’t like doing things she wasn’t interested in if it took to much effort. "...but the friends thing sounds nice." Jade commented, curling her hair around her finger. She opened her menu and pulled out a drink. She wasn't sure what it was, all she knew about it was it was sugary and sweet. Jade began slowly sipping it down. "As an info broker, would you have to talk to people a lot?" Jade asked, she sounded concerned, she usually wasn't very good at talking to people. She knew more about space then she did about other people work. To Jade, people were, strange and unpredictable, though sometimes by chance, she knew a few topics that they had mentioned. Jade finished her drink and opened her menu, pulling out a small booklet, about the size of a piece of folded printer paper. She pulled out a fancy pen and began jotting stuff down.

@Ennakai

Jade attempted to hide herself underneath her hair, using it as a form of curtain. "...H-hey, that's n-not funny..." Jade listened to Enna go on about teasing. He must be quite the handful with friends. "I'm nineteen..." Jade began, she took a few breaths. "...and I-I don't know If I want to, d-date, anyone. I-I don't think I k-know how to love after what I-I've been through." Jade said, her voice serious. "I-I just. I don't know..." Jade was at a lost, she didn't know what to say from here, she just sat there and contemplated. Enna wants to be a... Jade thought to herself. But, what good is a couple if one of them doesn't know how to love anymore. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, when she opened her eyes again, they were watery, almost like she was about to cry. Both choices, saying yes and no, both had negative outcomes. If she said yes, they would go along together, maybe she could at least make Enna feel happy? If she said no, she wouldn't get close to Enna and if Jade died, It wouldn't bother Enna as much if they were together. This was a difficult choice for Jade to make, she wanted to go with him, but she didn't want to hurt him if something happened to her. "W-why does this have to be so hard..."

@Ennakai

Isn’t a date supposed to be when two star crossed lovers do stuff together romantically? Jade was confused. The way Enna is making it sound is like a simple get together but with food, does he even known what the word “date” means? Jade stayed silent, unsure of what to say. She was both confused and nervous, which is never a good position to find yourself in. She felt like she was playing a game but she didn’t know the rules. Jade’s face turned red as he teased her, she laughed nervously. “Hehe… I-I wouldn’t, put it quite like that.” Jade said, looking away shyly. “I-I mean, a date is for p-people invested in e-each other, romantically a-and, we’re not…” Jade continued, hoping he would catch onto what she was saying. “E-even then, a date isn’t just dinner, it can be anything really, as long as the couple do it together. So technically in the right circumstances, this can be considered a dat-” Jade cut herself off. What am I saying? This isn’t a date at all! Jade’s face turned bright red. “H-hit you?” Jade asked. “Why would I?” Jade said, tilting her head for a moment. Not only that, she didn’t want the icon above her head to turn orange just because someone literally asked for it.

@Ennakai

Jade smiled weakly, it wasn't a real smile, it was a mask that hide her worry. Enna thanked her for the hug. What was it that people say when they are thanked? She contemplated. Oh, right! "Y-your welcome..." Jade listened carefully as Enna went on. She sighed when he said "...meet once outside of this game..." She didn't think there was an escape, she thought this is what her life had lead up to, a dead end in a video game that probably killed the entire industry for future VRMMO company's. But one word, a single word, broke her concentration. "...a date or two by now." Jade was only half listening at that point, preoccupied keeping her thoughts at bay. "W-what did you s-say?" Jade asked for clarification, her face starting to turn red. She stared down Enna's infectious smiled, resisting the temptation to smile herself. She was to nervous to smile at the moment. 
@Ennakai

She thought about the concept for a moment, was the games AI really advanced enough to monitor ever single player at any given moment of any given time? And not just that but have thoughts about them? "I wonder what it's thinking right now..." Jade said, a intrigued tone in her voice. Jade didn't like it when someone else was sad or upset, she felt like it was her burden, which she thought would explain why she was sad all the time. Usually when she came upon an upset person, even if she didn't know them, she would at least try and make them feel better. "No!" Jade sounded distressed. "D-don't be sad, that's my job!" Jade sat up and quickly tried to think of some thing that would lighten the mood. But what lightens a mood? She thought to herself, she thought back to once when she was happy, what did her mother do for her when she was upset or hurt? That's right, she gave her a hug. That's normal right? Normal people can hug normal people? She moved closer and wrapped her hands around Enna. Normal people, probably don't hug random people they met in the middle of a forest. Jade thought to herself as she attempted to explain. "My m-mom use to do this when I was h-hurt..." Her face slowly began to change to the color red. She let go after roughly ten seconds. "T-There... Feel better?"

@Ennakai

"Y-you didn't offend me..." Jade started. "I-I thought I m-messed up and y-you were calling m-me out on it." Jade took a deep breath, a little joyed that it wasn't the case. Jade looked around for more materials, but unfortunately none to be found. Jade let out a sigh of disappointment before resuming her search. "T-thanks..." Jade said shyly, a weak smile forming on her face. She got on her knees and began rummaging through a bush, at this point, her will to keep the dress in good condition and to get the materials she needed were going in completely different directions. She couldn't find anything in the bush though, nothing but leaves, twigs and branches. Jade got to her feet, noticing the sun was lower then it was before, it was going to be dark soon. Jade was afraid of the dark, well, she wasn't afraid of the dark itself, she was afraid of what could be lurking within it. 

@Jun

...it was a complete failure. But at least it didn't explo- The contents of the vial blew up yet a second time, sending a second plume of smoke and chemicals into the air. Jade grew increasingly agitated she couldn't do something as simple as mixing two different compounds. At least until she realized it was up to the system to decide if it exploded or not, same goes for if it became a potion or a vial of useless nothingness. Jade wiped the chemical soot off of her face, it smelled like burnt plastic. It the smell was so strong that she thought she'd throw up. She turned to the old lady. "Hey, what happens if I run out of materials?" Jade asked generally concerned, she didn't want to go back out and gather more, she felt like she was putting forth enough effort already. If she had to go out and get more, she would end up calling it a day. This was likely considering the fact that she wasn't exactly having fun doing what she was doing. Especially since it didn't hurt, it just irritated her. Both mentally and physically. Mentally being that she really wanted to be in a warm bed, Physically being that her lungs were getting irritated by all the smoke.

"By the small things?" Jade asked. "Like what?" Jade continued, curious about what his response would be. Jade held the flower high above her before dropping it back down. Jade began thinking to herself. This game is so... Memorizing... Jade tilted her head, which she typically does when she is lost in thought. The gravity feels real, the sheets I'm on feels real, even the breeze feels real. Does pain feel real too? I haven't experience any physical pain here, at least not yet. Wait, can you harm yourself in this game? And if you do, would it register as attacking another player? She opened her inventory and pulled out a dagger, she held out her hand above her and held the dagger to it, completely forgetting that Ennakai was there. She moved it slowly until it registered as a cut. She pulled back. It feels weird and tingly, no pain.  She looked at the crystal directly above her. It didn't change. She looked at her HP. Seventy-Seven out of Eighty, so it does do damage. She looked to her left, and stared at Ennakai. Her face turned red as she tried to explain. "I-I was t-testing a few theories, I-I didn't do that cause I think that, that I... I..." Jade slowly feel silent, waiting for a response.

@Ennakai

"O-ok..." Jade said, her voice still a bit shaky. She didn't know what to expect from this, but it was making her very nervous. What had she gotten herself into. Jade opened her inventory and pulled out a small thin lanky silver chain, and started wrapping it and unwrapping it around her hands under the table. To her, this was a stress ball. PING! The noise startled her, jumping in her seat. She noticed something out of the corner of her eye, something she had never seen before. New Friend Pending Request! She stared at it for a moment, before realizing that the other players couldn't see it. She opened her menu and selected the request. Neo... Jade looked up. Was that her? She thought to herself, looking at the player next to her, assuming that it was probably that player. Jade turned back accepting the request. Jade's eyes widened when the man asked if she wanted to meet the other members. She wasn't a fan of exactly gatherings. "N-no! I mean, yes, I mean.. I-I..." Jade closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening her eyes again and facing Hazado. "...I'm just not very good with people." It took Jade a lot to admit this to someone, but she figured it would be easier in the long run if she told them this now.

@Hazado

@Neopolitan

"What are yo-" It took a second for Jade to react to Enna patting her head. When she did, she was flustered. "H-Hey... I-I'm not a p-p, pet." Jade said, her face turning red. Though when Enna said Jade's name, she got a nostalgic feeling, from her childhood. Back when everything still made sense and before her mothers death. Jade came back to reality after a few seconds of thought. "W-what are you thanking me for exactly? I didn't do anything deserving of admiration." Jade asked curiously, as Enna went on to explain. "Oh, r-right... Hehe.."  She laughed nervously, as Jade recalled throwing the book at his forehead, to be completely fair he really startled her. "Well, Enna... I doubt I would be able to help you any time soon. I'm only level four." Jade said, laying down and poking a flower at the edge of the sheet she was laying on. "If anything, I'd just get in your way." Jade picked the flower off the ground, rolled over to face the sky through the leaves and held the flower on her stomach with both hands. "Now your just trying to flatter me." Jade smiled sincerely in response to Enna's comment, that and also the fact that Enna's smile was extremely infectious.

@Ennakai

Jade thought to herself. It was entirely up to her now, well, mostly up to her now. That and the one who said it would be good to join a group. She couldn't say no know, it would rude, inconsiderate, and just a waste of time and effort for the other players. "I-I'll do it." Jade said slowly. "I'll join you g-guys."  She became lost in thought as after she spoke, it was like a wave of mixed emotions. Some wanting to take back what she said, others wanting to try to meet the her new guild. Whatever it was caused Jade to get dizzy, she was sitting down, which meant the risk of passing out and falling was at a minimum. "I just w-want to be stronger... J-just enough to help..."  Jade spoke quietly, letting them know the reason she would ever join a group was to help people. Who knows maybe she might end up being social one day and find someone like herself to help. A weak smiled formed across Jade's face at the thought.

@Hazado

@Neopolitan

"Thanks..." Jade commented as the Butterfly was removed, her voice slightly muffled as her hand was covering where the butterfly was. Jade couldn't help but smile in this situation. The sun shimmered through the branches, the breeze got a bit warmer,  the clouds parted letting a little sunshine into Jade's world, even though it was just for a little bit, it was enough for Jade to notice. Was it because she imagined it or, something else? She froze, new to this temporary feeling of happiness. She just sat there, breathing slowly, she looked up at Ennakai. "Jade..." She whispered. "My name is... Jade." She said louder. "Y-you did, did hear that right?" She looked distressed. She only told one person her name out of the thousands of people trapped in Aincrad. This, would be a total of two. Jade giggled as the butterflies circled each other on top of Ennakai's head. She looked away for a moment, unable to say something like this while making eye contact. "T-thanks..." Jade smiled, it wasn't a fake smile, it was real, and you could tell.

@Ennakai

"Thanks... It's really good..." Jade commented, taking the paper from Enna. Jade scowled at Enna when he giggled. "If you think you can do it then you try." Jade watched as Ennakai opened his inventory and pulled out a metal rose. The butterfly flew to it, landed on it, realized it was fake, and landed in his hair. "Hey... No fair, you cheated." Jade said in a almost jealous tone. Jade readjusted the way she was sitting. Her knees were out in front of her and her feet behind her. Jade hands on her lap. "Well, I don't want you do say it when there is other people around. Just, when it's you and me..." Jade paused, putting her fingers together in front of her, her head turned away slightly. "...sorry. That sounded kinda weird, didn't it?" Jade felt a tingling sensation on her back. She froze as a second blue butterfly crawled up to her shoulder. "Enna..." Jade said distressed, trying not to move to scare it. Freezing in place as it started crawling up her neck and onto her ear. She was resisting the temptation to laugh. "...t-this really tickles..." Jade said, one of her eyes closed as the butterfly crawled over it. "Enna... Do somethin-" Jade said quietly as it crawled over her mouth. Forcing her to stop talking or she might end up inhaling it. "MMMmmmmmffff..." She groaned, crossing her eyes to look at the butterfly. Then looking at Ennakai.

@Ennakai

“I… Making you do what exactly?” Jade asked with curiosity, the leaves blowing past her. Her hair blew around behind her as she struggled to keep it down. “C-cute side?” Jade grew both even more curious and embarrassed at the same time. Enna moved back showing Ghost his drawing, which looked well done for something done so quickly. “I-Is that… Me?” Jade looked at the black and white drawing. She reached out for the paper, the blanket falling off of her without her holding it down, slumping to the ground around her. She looked at it closely. Enna did catch the fact Jade was blushing at the time. Jade gave the drawing back to Enna. Before laying her back on the tree behind her. “Part t-two? Y-you really don’t have t-” Jade was interrupted by Enna going on about all the ways that Jade acts cute or adorable. As he went on, her face became an even more deeper shade of red. “Y-you win! You w-win.” Jade announced, her hands in the air, before letting them rest back down at her sides. “I-I got it. I’m cute…” She looked away nervously, her brown eyes catching something moving out of the corner of her vision. A blue butterfly fluttered into view. It flew up to, then around Jade. Jade held out a finger trying to get it to land on her finger, with no luck. Disappointed, she crossed her arms as the butterfly teased her by continuing to fly around the both of them before fluttering up into the branches of the tree behind Jade. Jade faced Enna again. “I-I feel obligated now…” Jade began. “...to tell you my real name… because addressing me as Ghost isn’t really normal, now is it?” She asked, making she Enna was ok with the concept.

@Ennakai

Jade's tears vanished, and was replaced by a flustered expression. "But... I-I..." Jade's face turned bright red. She wasn't sure what embarrassed her more, the kiss on the forehead, or the fact that someone actually came out and called her cute and adorable. "I, I never... thought of myself t-that way." She said looking up to see Ennakai's infectious smile staring back inches away from her. Jade looked away out of embarrassment. "H-Hey..." Jade started. "...why are y-you doing this?" It seemed that the compliment got her out of that depressed head-space for the time being. She turned back to Ennakai, and with all kept her gaze from looking away from his. She waited for him to finish speaking. "I don't think I'm cute though. I always thought of myself as average. Not cute, not adorable. Average." Jade responded, clearing new to the fact that she had potential for anything at all.

WC: 152

@Ennakai

Jade closed her eyes, her knees still on her chest, and her arms wrapped around them in a sorta of hug. “I don’t want to kill myself because I want to, it’s because I can’t stand this anymore.” Tears began escaping her eyes. “Every day, the weight gets heavier and heavier. The rainclouds won’t leave me, even if I’m happy, I’m not. I never am. Not anymore… To me, it’s my only escape.” Jade turned to Enna. “Everything is my fault. I have to apologize. Like now, you wouldn’t be wasting your time talking to me if I didn’t exist.” Jade turned back, taking her arms off her legs, and crossing them. Jade slowly began to lose it. She cupped her hands to her face, and slouched over, quietly sobbing. “W-Why… I-I just want out…” She said quietly. “I-I… I can't take much m-more of this, Ennakai. I tried to get h-help and failed, no one here c-can help me.”

@Ennakai

“Oh… Right… Hehe…” Jade laughs nervously. No! They are accepting? She thought to herself. Then I need to make myself look as unappealing as possible. But how do I do that? She continued to ponder She let out a sigh, thinking of ways to get out of the situation she got herself more. “Yeah… I will.” She lied. Trust me. Jade thought to herself. Where did I hear that before… The most memorable time when anyone told her “Trust me” was after the car accident. Yeah, she wasn’t going to trust anyone, not even herself. “S-So… Does that mean I-I’m getting in?” She wanted to confirm. Please say no, please say no. Jade crossed her fingers under the table. She held her breath, everything seemed to stop moving, the answer determined everything she would be doing in the future. She didn't want to join, but her friend would give her hell for it if she didn't.

@Hazado

She listened carefully to the man, she grabbed every detail she could get her hands on. "I'm just looking for a guild to level myself up, and somewhere to feel welcome.". "The G-Garnet, Rangers?" She asked slowly. It seemed like an ideal fit for her, almost no one seemed to have the time to her and better yet talk to her if half of the members are busy. "T-that sounds like the kind of guild I'm l-looking for, I don't want to join a b-big guild. To many people make m-me feel sick." Jade continued. "Are y-you accepting n-new members?" She forced herself to say it, though she was kind of hoping they would say no, the only reason she was doing this was because some one had asked her to. If they said no, she could walk away saying that she tried. Hopefully they would give up on trying to get her to join groups and guilds and leave her be, isolated, just like she wanted it. "I-I know I don't look like much, b-but I'm good at gathering m-materials." She continued, she mind as well put her best foot forward if she was denied, that way she would have even more reason to let him leave her be.

@Hazado

“I am… I’ll just slow you down. I’m a shackle at the legs of the people I meet, and even if I accept this deal, I can’t promise I won’t hurt myself. Sometimes I wake up, and I just… I lose my self-control.” Jade responded with disappointment. “If you killed someone, and had no regrets. Then why won’t you let me do your job for you and off myself with no regrets.” Jades eyes widened. “I-I mean, I-I… I’m sorry! P-Please forgive my r-rudeness...”

See the effects of doing good? This was an unfamiliar concept to Jade, she never had anything good happen to her because of something she had done in the past. Everything she had done in the past was haunting her, her father’s abusive behavior, her mother’s death, her high school bullies. All things she tried control resulted in a biannual trip to the emergency room, a twice a week trip to the therapist, and bad grades which resulted in more abusive behavior from her father. She turned her head to face Ennakai, who put his arm around her shoulders, after taking a few deep breaths, she spoke. “I’m dangerous to you in a way I don’t want to explain. So please…” Jade pleaded. “I don’t want to hurt you when I go.”

@Ennakai