Kirbs

Kirbs yawned as she blinked at the thinning out minions. Yay, only a few more to go and then they'd be free..! God, this battle was really draining her energy, which was a big no-no, by the way! 

"I think I'll stay out of the way this round," she mumbled, backing away from the minions. "I can only do so much before I tire myself out, after all," she sighed, shaking her head. She just wanted to enjoy the day at a festival, but no! Aincrad had to go over her screw her up again!

She looked over to the other battle raging on. Everyone seemed to be just fine over there-- oh wait, never mind-- oh wait, again, never mind, they seemed good with the other players joining. The small party that Kirbs' had was doing pretty well, too... well, except for some of the people missing completely, but she didn't really worry too much about that.

Whenever she did anything, she felt so empty. Even when she was somewhat happy, like that time she had met Ike, she felt so... empty when she was laughing. Or was it just because she was thinking all depressed now? How could someone laugh when they're so empty? How could she laugh? Did she even have the right to be happy, anymore? It didn't feel like she did. 

"Why?" Her bottom lip trembled as she nearly collapsed. "Why did this have to happen to me? What did I ever do to deserve this?" She sobbed, her feet barely grazing the ground as she walked slowly and almost soundlessly to the destination. "I was supposed to be happy. I was always the happy one. What happened? Why did I have to go through this?" She was supposed to be the one cheering everyone up, not bringing them down..! What was the point of even trying to get out when everyone she loved in here hated her or is dead?

A jolt ran up her spine as an almost unfamiliar player's voice rang out. "H-huh?" She stuttered, whipping her head over to Athena. Athena? She hasn't seen her in a while... ever since she met Fuyuno, too. 

"I'm..." The redhead trailed off, a conflicted thought going through her head.

I can't lose any more people. No more, please.

Gulping down her fears, she put up- let's just say her 'old' smile-- on her face. "Y-yeah, I'm fine! Why do you ask?" She said nervously, fiddling with her fingers. She was tired. Tired of being looked down by everyone who thought they could help her. She just needed to make them think that she didn't need any help, then things would go back to normal. She wouldn't have to lose anyone anymore. 

Kirbs lifted her head tiredly to meet another person she didn't have quite the best history with. Her fingers trembled as she put on a convincing grin. "I'm fine, how about you?"

Scarfy blinked blankly at the ground before shrugging his shoulders and sighed. "I guess," he grumbled, slithering over to Kirbs.

He huffed as he nudged her rather harshly with his snout-- which woke up her with a jolt, by the way-- and then he slithered over to the blonde. He glanced briefly at his sharpened claws, deciding that poking her with a needle wasn't really the best way to wake up. He sighed to himself, again, and nudged her like he did with Kirbs. "Wake up, maggots. I don't want to be here all damn day," he growled, slithering over to Kirbs who was already holding out her arm to him as she adjusted her hair with her free hand.

Even with a full nights rest, Kirbs still felt physically and emotionally drained. Nothing felt the same anymore. Everything was different. She was just so... tired. Tired of all of the things she had to put up with. Tired of how she was feeling. Tired of how people think that they can somehow correct her. She felt like a beatened down toy. You think you can fix them but in the end, they just end up going into the trash like every other toy.

Every time she looked at the dark. She saw him. 

Bell.

Except-- he was mangled. Screaming at her. Begging for her. Pleading for her to come and save him. Shrieking at her for not being able to. Where was she? Where was she when he died? Laughing? Fighting? Being useless, again? She could feel the silver cross leaving dents in her fingers as she dug her hands together. 

How could she do anything anymore now that he was gone? Every step she took was so damn painful. She was alone. She was cold. 

She wondered.

Wondered where the bubbly, bright eyed redhead went. How was she the same person? Why did Evelyn seem so far off, now? She didn't feel like Kirbs or Evelyn, anymore. She felt like a husk of a body. An empty shell with nothing but a dying soul inside. A soul who lost its will. A soul who lost its fire.

She clutched the cross necklace with her right hand tightly. She made it to look exactly like Bell's. Kirbs laughed to herself softly as she remembered how he used to grip it so tightly in his hands...

She gripped it tighter. 

Gone.

That's what he was. Gone, just like the rest of her will to keep fighting. She was so... hopeless. Why was she even fighting now? She and Bell were supposed to make it out together. Now what was she supposed to do? She had no meaning in this life anymore. It was like all of her hopes and dreams were flushed down the toilet when she read his name on that damn wall. 

Why was she still going now? For revenge? Every bit of her body was drained. Her will. Her hopes. Her dreams. All of it was just gone. Why was she even alive anymore? What did she deserve to live for?

Kirbs lifted her legs-- which felt like lead, by the way-- as she stumbled across the desolate wasteland. Why, why, why-- why? Why did her life have to be like this? She had so many friends. Why did they all leave? ... Or was it her who left? She hugged herself tighter. 

Why did she do this to herself? She felt so... so... disgusting. Everything that's happened was because of her. This is all her fault.

Was any of the people she met really her friends? Her knees felt like jell-o when she thought about it. She still felt so lonely all the time, even with the people she 'loved'. Why? She just wanted people to be safe. The people she loved to be safe. Why can't she do anything right? Why can't she ever do anything right? Why was she so damn useless? She was horrible. She is horrible. 

She was despicable. 

"Damn right it won't," he mumbled, yawning again. "I'm not one to really go against Kirbs when it comes to these things, though," he sniffed, suppressing another yawn, "so I guess I'll stay awake for now, wouldn't want your precious 'pet' dying because of me, yeah?" Scarfy said, making air quotes with his slender hands- er, claws.

He didn't really want it to be his fault when the blonde dies. He was pretty sure he would receive earfuls from both the cat and the redhead if she were to suddenly poof. He looked over to the defenseless Kirbs and sighed inaudibly. He didn't want her to go through the same kind of trauma again like with that Bell kid. Too many sleepless nights. Too many mornings spent crying. Too many nights spent working. He didn't want her to bear that burden again-- especially since she kept him up at night, too.

Kirbs dragged herself out of the shop. Things have been bad. Really bad. 

Why did the world hate her? Was it trying to make her lose her sanity one by one? Was she truly destined to feel like [doo doo] forever? Was she destined to be lonely forever? 

---

The tired redhead hopped off the teleport crystal as she had just encountered a person. An info broker? He began to explain to her the details of this quest. It didn't seem so hard, except for that part about travelling for two days. 

"Alright, I'll see what I can do, see you later," she mumbled, giving him a wave as she began to leave town. Scarfy seemed to have awoken from his nap and lifted his head tiredly. "We're going out for two days again," she mumbled, her eyes drooping from exhaustion. The Nguruvilu's eyes widened as he felt the so-and-so bad memories creep up on him. "Don't worry, it's not that quest."

- Tiger's Rage

Kirbs tiredly dragged herself to the outposts of the town. She felt like she had just been dragged through hell and back and then slapped across a mountain. Everything felt so bad. Maybe that wasn't really such a good word to describe every damn thing in her life right now, but damn, it really felt bad. 

She couldn't lose any more people. The last person who made her genuinely happy is dead. The only reason she was fighting to get out of this game was dead. Why did she have to endure all of the stupid [doo doo] God is putting on her? 

They said that things always happen for a reason. By how was killing her best friend and one of the people who genuinely made her happy going to have a good impact?

No, she couldn't stand it. She couldn't lose anyone else. It didn't matter what she felt anymore, because she knew she would absolutely crushed if anyone else she knew had vanished, again.

Day 43:

Kirbs nodded her head as he let out a forced laugh. "That sounds rough. Scarfy here was a bit to handle at first," she said, smiling to herself softly. "After a few things together, I think we've both come to some kind mutual relationship. Something along those lines, anyway," she said almost sheepishly. She didn't really want to specify what kind of those 'things' happened, let's just leave it at that, really.

"I guess you're right," she mumbled, scratching her chin. Was he born somewhere around there? I mean, it wasn't a lie! She could vouch for it! What, she actually was born and raised there!

"Alrighty," she said, following after him through the dark water. Yuck. Did they really have to fight this dragon in the water?

"This is gross," she muttered, cringing as she felt the bottom of her boots hit the muddy bottom of the water. Kudos to whoever designed this quest! Sarcasm noted. 

Tier: 2

Build: DPS

Discord: KiRbS#5616

Kirbs shrugged her shoulders, effectively waking Scarfy up from his well deserved nap. How dare-

Scarfy growled lowly at her and she narrowed her eyes right back at him. She sighed and pointed to her familiar. "Scarfy can take it, I don't care," she mumbled, picking up Scarfy and setting him down on a rock. 

"What the-- I don't want to--" Scarfy immediately started before cutting himself off. "Whatever," he mumbled, "I'll take the damn watch." Scarfy gave a look to Kirbs one last time before turning his head back to the already dark sigh.

The redhead let out a sigh, at least someone in her life was being cooperative today. She propped herself against a rock, looking feverishly at the sky before shutting her eyes and turning the other direction. 

"I can't believe this," Scarfy mumbled, his eyes glaring daggers right at the sky. Why couldn't Kirbs do it? It wasn't like he was going to protect any of them while they were sleeping! 

"Lucky you," he said sarcastically, flicking his tail with a tired sigh. He hated being up this early, especially when he knew that he didn't have to. 

He was nearly about to doze off any second, too. It wasn't like they were going to reach the cavern any time today. They still had two more frekin' nights before they even got there. He supposed that this time around was a tad bit more eventful. That stupid bear cub didn't talk to him at all for two days. He scoffed, stupid kid familiars. They made it seem like they had all the damn time in the world. 

"I want to throw myself off a cliff," he mumbled, his eyes shutting for a few seconds before snapping back open-- yeah, just repeat that every two minutes. He sighed and flicked his tongue in and out. He yawned again, his ears dropping on top of his head.

Kirbs nodded her head groggily as she rubbed her eyes, which felt crusty as fu- "Yeah, I guess," she mumbled, letting out a small yawn right after. 

Scarfy let out a low hiss as he refused to get up, even coiling into a spring tighter. "Come on, boy," she sighed, picking him up from armpits and setting him on to her shoulders. "I know, we're both not early birds," she mumbled, yawning again. She covered her mouth as she closed her eyes, feeling them already get watery. That never really made sense to her, but whatever, it's not like she can do anything about it.

"I already had to do this once," the familiar growled, glaring daggers at the ground, "so why the hell do we have to go on this quest, again?" He huffed and  let his tail droop from Kirbs' shoulders. 

"So, cat. How was the night watch?" He said tiredly, resting his chin on Kirbs' shoulder blade.

She internally groaned and rubbed her temples. Were all kids this difficult to deal with, or was this kid a special case or something? Fuyuno was a nice girl! Why could this dude be like her!? Maybe it was because she couldn't talk...

"Why are little kids like you cursing, anyway?" She grumbled, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "It's too early in the morning to be dealing with this kind of bull," she yawned, sniffing. This was a big change in her usually constant schedule, and she wasn't sure if it was a really good change. Don't get her wrong, she loved kids... but this one was... special. 

"You're demanding quite a lot from a person you just tried to steal from," she remarked, rolling her eyes. Yeah, she really wasn't the biggest fan of this kid-- but she had to think, was anybody really? Did anybody even know this kid? Surely, right? 

SUMMARY:

Kirbs:

(2) Unidentified T2 Rare Trinket

3 SP

5,595 Col

17 T2 Mats

Solei:

(1) Unidentified T2 Rare Trinket

3 SP

16 T2 Mats

5,595 Col

Alec:

3 SP

Kirbs sighed as she picked up a small gemstone that somewhat resembled a ruby. Odd. Why would there a ruby on the surface of a garden? She shrugged it off and placed it in her inventory. Game mechanics were weird, so she didn’t really question it any further. 

Her ears perked as she silently listened to their conversation from afar. It kind of reminded her of when she would stay up light on her Nintendo D.S. under the covers of her bed and just listen for the footsteps of anyone who passed by her room. Those days seemed so far away, now. 

“... real children…”

She sighed as a depressing thought crept up on her. She was only fifteen when the game first came out. Barely into her first year of high school… she was sure a lot of kids here were probably her age now, if not younger. Man, she felt old now.

ID: 121846

LD: 11, +1 Mat

Total Materials: 4

"Well, you aren't necessarily going to get to the front lines by stealing, think about that, yeah?" She retorted, hoping that her words could give him a good ol' slap of reality-- well, virtual reality.

She rose a brow at his outburst-- what a weird nerve to strike! Sighing, she shrugged her shoulders, resisting the urge to snap right back at him. "It's not an orphanage, per se..." she mumbled, scratching her chin. "They still have parents so it's not like they're orphans. You said it yourself, kid, you're 'not nearly as strong enough to survive out there in my own'," she mimicked, her voice rising a few octaves. "So at least accept the help that people are willing to give to cha' before something ends up happening to them, yeah?" 

"Helpless my arse," Kirbs said, squinting at him again. "You're the one who ran into a box of crates, kid."

She squinted at him and crossed her arms. "Right..." she mumbled, standing up straighter, now. She wasn't entirely sure if she really believed the kid but what was he really going to do to her? 

"You could've just gotten a job or something," she sighed, frowning. "There's also a few places down here that take in... kids of need," she trailed off, remembering her time with Solei. He helped with those kinds of things, right? Along with Athena, too? Bah, she couldn't remember at all.

"I'm surprised you haven't even been caught yet, both by the guards and the church caretakers. I though they did a good sweep of the first floor for kids, apparently not," Kirbs said, her frown deepening. She turned her attention back to the other player and tilted her head. "Have you been living like this for two years? It's not hard to ask for some help, y'know."

Day 42:

Kirbs sighed as she picked up a small daisy from the ground. She really just had the sudden urge to just crush it between her palms but decided against it. She threw it into her inventory and let out an inaudible huff. Life kind of sucked arse, right now, huh? She smiled sadly to herself as she paced around on the cobbled bricks on the ground. Everyone was so blind. How could see make them see her ideals? She thought that these ideals were common for everyone! Why did she feel so left out and why didn't anyone get it? 

It wasn't fair.

It wasn't fair how she had to have her ideals alone. Surely, there was someone out there who thought the same way about her, right? She couldn't possibly be the only one who wanted justice like this, right? 

It just isn't fair. It just wasn't fair how no one could understand her. It was like she was speaking an entirely different language around people, now.

ID: 121664

LD: 11, +1 Mat

Total Materials: 3

"What'd you expect me to be? A wild animal?" He snorted, "I may be a jerk but I have standards," he huffed, his ear twitching one last time before nodding at her. "Alright, see you tomorrow, cat."

He slithered back to Kirbs and let out a sigh before he coiled himself about a feet away from her. People, life's strangest mystery. 

Now, transitioning over to Kirbs-- things weren't so peaceful, per se. In the land of dreams-- weird place, right?

It was like she was watching her whole life flash before her, almost too quick, in fact. Reliving her time with Bell, flashing through the time with that damn Pinball. Let's not forget that time with that stupid wall of names! Yeah, that was really, really, really, fun, huh? Oh- there goes meeting Bahr and Kityuisa, did a memory of Sey just fly by, too? Damn, this was getting really weird.