NIGHT

She watched as Ceres giggle behind her hand, the other holding the slice she'd been eating from earlier, and NIGHT couldn't help but grin in return -- genuinely, this time. She wasn't sure what she did to cause such a reaction, but, it was enough seeing someone appreciate her company.

"I wasn't in a rush," the adventurer reassured her friend, resting her arms on the table. "But even if I was, it's because I don't want to keep you waiting. And I did get a nice rest, yeah; thanks for asking."

A hand began playing with one of own locks as Ceres recounted her breakfast, her fingers twirling around it slowly. "I didn't think meals were this hard to come by," she wondered aloud. "Maybe it's just me, though. I did do my best striving to get some decent meals for myself most of the time." Her eyes went over to the window, watching the shuffling of people outside as they wondered what the population was up to. "And it's alright, that weapon can take its time," she added, gaze tailing a triad of players strolling down the streets of Urbus. "I don't mind taking care of the boss anyway. It's on my personal hit list, and you get to reap the rewards."

She shot the redhead a grin, watching as she ran her hand through her hair.

Lovely.

"I hope the experience helps when we get to it," NIGHT said, as a waiter came by and set down her meal. "Thank you!"

Truth be told, her mind was pre-occupied with the thought of the player Ceres had mentioned, earlier. She'd just begun dipping her bread in the soup when Ceres' expression darkened; it came as a surprise to NIGHT. A bite out the bread, ready to listen, when she'd been asked if she was flustered.

---Was she? The woman took a big gulp, swallowing the bite whole, burning from the embarrassment. "S-sorry-- N-no! You didn't do anything, or say anything..." NIGHT took a glance at the window and tried to check herself in the reflections. Shoot. And it had only been a single thought.

NIGHT patted herself on the cheeks, before returning to look at Ceres. "A-anyway, as you were saying?"

@Ceres

Looks like Ceres was awake alright, with that message coming in after a few minutes of waiting. NIGHT groggily checked the mail, with soft staggered groans. There was flare of annoyance and anger when she'd read that the woman had encountered someone who'd been mean to her -- Who was that? She'd have to keep an eye out for them if possible; if anything, to stay them away herself.

Oh, and she was diligently eating breakfast somewhere. That was cute. She absent-mindedly stared at Ceres' signature at the bottom of the message, spacing out and starting to wonder, before snapping out of her trance with a forced jolt, shaking herself awake. No, no more pining. She'd have to force herself to stop there. A sigh, and NIGHT burrowed into her blankets further.

If anything, at least her friend was already at their destination. Slowly, she composed the following message, trying to sit upright near the end of her text to ease herself out of the lazy morning mood.

Quote

To: Ceres
From: NIGHT

floor 2
im in bed
gimmie 2s ill look 4 u

btw who was it? ill keep n eye out 4 them
stay safe out thre

The woman slid out of bed, heading into the washroom to freshen up, before stepping out to her shop interior, fully equipped in a flash. "Nyanko," she called, with a few snaps of her fingers. The kitten brrpped from his seat on the couch, and NIGHT shuffled over, chuckling, a smile on her face. "Sleepy kitty," she murmured, preparing a small blanket to line the bag with. With a careful motion, she picked up the cat, sliding him and his drooping form into her bag, closing the flap shut.

That should do it for her preparations.

It took her a handful of minutes to charge towards the centre of town, brushing past the crowd of players and NPCs alike. A quick teleport, and she was in Urbus. Now it was just a task of finding where... uh... The Lucky Duck? was in the town.

A few more and she had her answer, as she sighed with her hands stuffed in her pockets, making her way around corners at street junctions. She'd caught sight of the redhead through the window from a distance, and composed herself with a few breaths, before heading inside. An order later -- mushroom soup with a side of their signature bread -- and she slid into the wooden chair opposite of her friend, trying to stay calm.

What... do calm people do?

NIGHT found herself shooting the woman a tentative grin, wondering what she should say. It felt too early to be talking, even, for her standards.

Well, the best thing I can do is... uh...

"... Morning. Uh... how's your day been so far? You seen any interesting passerbys?"

"... You wanna talk about the player you met, or...?"

@Ceres

"'Course I would!" NIGHT looked almost incredulous when she heard the question. "I mean, yeah, we're out adventuring and stats are good, but there's never been a time in real life when I'd just not-eat because it wouldn't come with a luck boost or something, right?" She chuckled, a little confused at her analogy. "Sorry... maybe the game really has gone to our heads. In any proper scenario, you shouldn't have to worry about people stopping by just because of some arbitrary numbers."

"I wouldn't mind stopping by one day," she wondered aloud, looking at the trees as they continued on their way. "It'd be super cool just to hang out, I think."

As Lonzo took a look at his axe in his hands, NIGHT gave it a glance too. It seemed pretty worn, reminding herself of her previous blade. "I'd imagined that it would disappear, actually. But it remained stuck in the earth, and Yukiro had to come pick it up." She took a moment to think, back to the information she'd scalped from her agents. "Maybe... someone out there has more information on it. It would be pretty gnarly if I just forgot it somewhere and another person just came by and took it. I hadn't even considered that possibility..." NIGHT sighed, too used to the safety and comfort of being alone, untroubled by society. "Guess we should be careful."

She nodded as Lonzo steeled his conviction, spiced by curiosity. Then it was peppered in with fear and complexity, and NIGHT understood where his troubles came from. The man might not have looked it, but he seemed to be incredibly aware of what the game could entail, and his expectations seemed to mirror her own, though the system appeared to be agreeing with their various points to different degrees.

"I think that's the work of information brokers," she offered. "As much as I'd like to say we have a library of all the information everyone has collected... I don't think that's how it works. Maybe if there was a collective of informants, we'd be able to build a bulk of details collected, but..." NIGHT sighed, fingers massaging the bridge of her nose. "I... I don't know. I do agree with you though. If we knew more about the game, it'd be easier to cope with what else the systems might throw at us."

"And.. hey, it's alright." NIGHT commented, returning a small smile to the man, stretching her arms outwards with her fingers interlocked. "I'd much prefer this side of you anyway. I'm always up for a conversation, less so for... ugh, flirting."

""Which field bosses? You mean the really big ones?"

The woman nodded, counting her slain marks with her fingers. "There's the wasp queen. There was a sand shark. Then there was Cerberus... I think." She continued to listen as the man talked about the warg. Oscar had helped her with that the other day. "Sounds like a recipe for disaster for lower levelled players," she replied, then smirked when she realized what she'd said. "Look at me, talking like I wasn't one of them before. What am I doing?"

"I think that's why we have to help other players out. Especially the ones who've just started." NIGHT folded her arms, thinking. "We help each other, and get helped in return. That's the way it should be, I think. Unite and conquer."

"Oh, and... No. I don't think it was a PK-er." She shrugged, now appearing a little more downcast. "I... can't tell if they had a motive. They wanted me to get stronger, for sure. Observant, seemed cocky... used a dagger. I've got a few people I know on the case," NIGHT revealed with a wry smile. "But I'm on the bench until then. I appreciate the concern, though."

@Lonzo

[17/12/19]

So this is how it was going to be from now on. A streak of somewhat mediocre crafts, then a boon -- a burst of luck from somewhere. As she shuffled along with another wooden plate of perfect crafts, she set them down in the backroom, ready to be picked up and moulded given time and essence.

A peep came from the doorway. "Yeah, I'm just done, Nyanko." Further meows prompted her to move faster, tidying up her desk and sweeping up the mishaps. "Yes, yes," she chuckled, heading over to the kitten's food bowl.

It was empty only on the centre, full of kibble on the perimeter. NIGHT picked it up, shaking it with a giggle, before setting it back down, watching her cat devour the food in earnest. Cats can be so silly sometimes.

Quote

ATP Member Bonus: +5 LD on Salvage, +2 XP/Craft
Athena's Lens: +1 CD
Ambition: +1 XP/Craft
Loot Die: +3 LD

ID: 132156 | CD: 7 (6, +1) | Success! (Uncommon)
ID: 132157 | CD: 12 (11, +1) | Success! (Perfect)
ID: 132158 | CD: 8 (7, +1) | Success! (Uncommon)
ID: 132159 | CD: 12 (11, +1) | Success! (Perfect)
ID: 132160 | CD: 4 (3, +1) | LD: 10 (2, +8) | Salvage (Fail)
ID: 132161 | CD: 13 (12, +1) | Success! (Perfect)
ID: 132162 | CD: 4 (3, +1) | LD: 13 (5, +8) | Salvage (Success)

Result: +55 (34, +14 +7) XP, -6 TI Materials, [T1E1] Uncommon Crafted Trinket (2), [T1E3] Perfect Crafted Trinket (3)

The two plodded along, making light conversation. The woman blinked, before resting her chin on a thumb. "Buff or no buff, I'd still take any food you'd give me." She gave it a little more thought, before adding, "Vitality works well, I think. It's a good place to start. I can drop by with a request when I'm ready. You do have a restaurant in town, right?" NIGHT chuckled, wondering why she hadn't gone to visit yet. "I'll have to drop by some time."

And as Lonzo started laughing himself, she wondered why he'd done so, squinting in suspicion. He'd share his idea soon enough, and NIGHT shrugged, somewhat agreeing. "It was definitely a shock," she clarified, "But he seemed to be more on a self-destructive lashing out more than anything. I wish I could say something funny happened..." A pause. "Ah. He... threw his sword at the boss. I didn't even know you could do that."

A secret keeper. She mused on the term for a moment. What could be so confidential in the game?

Nothing came of her train of thought, but she was concerned when the man mentioned not having a good rest. "I'm... really sorry to hear that." Then she scratched her head, eyes distant. "I mean, I can relate when it comes to inn rooms... but that's mostly me with hygiene. I just rest in my workshop now, and I keep it tidy. Your problem sounds like something else. ... Actually, I'm pretty surprised you don't rest in your restaurant yourself."

Then NIGHT got to hear about the reason behind his disappearance. Horunka. "The Secret Medicine of the Forest," she said under her breath, trying to recall. She shared her thoughts first, holding onto a few questions. "I think that place is just perpetually cursed, as the system intended. While I can appreciate your want to do good... There might not be a possible way of achieving the means to do so. Not until we're able to take control of the system..."

"...Which means getting out of here." Lonzo probably wasn't going to like that answer. His strong sense of justice and righting wrongs from before was steadfast. "Of course," the woman added, trying not to step on his toes metaphorically, "You're always welcome to try, and I wouldn't mind helping to pitch in, in any way possible." She rubbed her temples, running through the shops in the Town of Beginnings in her mind. "It's kinda... hard to recommend an alchemist... They usually show up and shut down real fast, it's rather bothersome..."

Instead, she dropped the thought with a sigh. "As for myself, I've... just been training." Huh, funny. Her answers just seemed to mirror Yukiro's. It felt like an unintended parallel in many ways, and she coughed, tensing in rectifying her answer. "Sorry. I've been trying to train, anyway. Hunting field bosses was what I was doing, before..."

Her voice trailed, as her mind flashed back to the confrontation of the rocky bridge, lava spewing from a distant volcano.

"... Uh, let's just say I got... hunted. Personally. Oh, and I got a new familiar; I think that's new." So much had happened. Where could she begin, other than the major pointers? "I have a lot more to tell," NIGHT said, resigning herself to the task of unfurling her history. "If you're willing to listen, anyway."

@Lonzo

"Caviar?" She tilted her head, a hand to her chin as she thought. "If you're making it, I wouldn't mind trying it. It's one of the richer treats, right?"

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to NIGHT, but perhaps it was because the duo that had shown up for this wasp-killing party hadn't exactly formed a standard yet. "It's big, yeah," she added with a sigh, watching his face change and contort as he continued thinking about their mark. "I hate it as much as you do, big guy. And no, unless I'm recalling it wrongly, it didn't even manage to lay a scratch on me, actually."

The woman folded her arms, looking downwards and downcast. "It's been quite a while, so I guess you should know. Actually," she paused, closing her eyes. "I'm surprised you're the first person I'm telling this to. Yukiro and I were tracking that wasp queen separately, and we ended up getting into a fight. ... Scratch that, multiple fights..."

She pushed back her hair from her face, her lips pulled back in annoyance. "He got the last hit, which really bothers me to no end -- not that it matters too much, of course. But that's why..."

"Anyway... It's been a while since we've met and talked, huh?" NIGHT truly wondered if Lonzo was getting enough sleep. There were slight hints of darkness under his eyes, and she wasn't sure if they were there before. "I hope you really do rest well," she mentioned, before pointing them in the right direction. "The boss was this way, the last time I fought it. And while we're travelling..."

"Anything interesting happened with you?"

@Lonzo

Jogging had helped her keep up her stamina, she imagined. Of course, it could very simply be the placebo effect taking place, but it definitely helped her make it all the way to Marome without feeling like she had to break a sweat. Whether or not she actually did, though, is up for debate.

NIGHT saw the man up by the nearby fortress from a distance away. She waved, trying to catch his attention, but was unable to pull his sights from the water nearby. What was he looking at, fish? Maybe NIGHT shouldn't be too surprised -- Lonzo was a chef, after all.

When she was close enough to be in talking range, she slowed to a walk, approaching the man with light breaths. "Hey," the woman finally greeted, trying to pull a smile -- or was it a smirk? "You seen the wasp queen yet? I... actually have a vendetta against them specifically..."

@Lonzo

Quote

To: Lonzo

i got it

NIGHT heaved a sigh of relief, immediately after receiving the message from her long time, missing friend. Where had he been? Y'know what, when it boiled down to it, NIGHT was at least glad the man was safe. She hummed, wondering how to reply to his message; the prospect of a field boss was intriguing to say the least, but she wasn't sure which one Lonzo was planning on facing, let alone the one he'd caught sight of the other day.

Oh, wait. It must be that one. Now she was fully invested. Picking up her gear, she punched in the following:

Quote

ill be there, gimmie 2 secs

Leaning down, she hauled Nyanko back into her waist bag, meeting his meows with a grin. "It's time for another rematch," she stated, equipping her blade, allowing it to form and adjust herself to its weight. "We'll be in and out quick, and it'll be with an old friend. Should be an alright trip today."

With that said, NIGHT hit on the send button, and immediately rushed out the door, making her way towards Marome.

@Lonzo

"Of course I'm in," NIGHT replied, rising and walking over to the counter with the tea cup still in her hand. She examined the request form Basuke had set down, going over it in earnest and confusion. "I mean, I've never seen this before... but I can try."

Behind the counter, past an open door way, NIGHT took her cup and the paper in there. A sizzle and pop later and the artisan exited the cramped, sepia room, with an empty cup and two paper squares in hand. "This one," she picked out one of them, "was the one you requested, and this other one is on the house." She tossed both of them over to the boy with an arm's throw. "Here's hoping that nothing unfortunate happens to you anymore!"

@Basuke

Item Name: Tri-Hexagon Metal Pin
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 6
Roll ID:  131888
Roll Result:  12 (11, +1)
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy
Description: Three hexagons beveled linked up one on top of the other, polished a dull silver by steel. Indentations of reflective metal go down the edges of the one in the center. Some of the lines of the hexagon are purposefully leaning inwards, forming an odder geometric shape.
Post Link:  http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18303-f01-r6-artisan-the-evening-star-open/?do=findComment&comment=590561

It had been a while since NIGHT had messaged any of the info brokers she knew. The last she had heard, Fleur told her to stand down and take a break for some time, until her anxieties rolled over. But she found herself still fidgety, this morning in bed, wanting to go out and explore. And if not on the higher floors for way of safety, then perhaps a hike out to the lower ones would do.

With a swipe, the woman pulled open her friends list, rolling over in bed, wrapped up snugly in her blanket. This... might actually be a perfect chance to relax and bond with someone else she knew. If only she could get in contact with them; most of her friends seemed to be missing or busy, like that kid who got stuck in Urbus for two years. Or the whole wolf-and-owl relationship square. What was Randal even doing, anyway? Cooking?

As she scrolled to the bottom of her friends list, the newest addition to the menu rolled up, and NIGHT found herself retreating back into her blankets, hiding further away from them, trying not to see it.

<Ceres>

...Wouldn't she be busy? Surely it was odd to call someone you'd just met to hang out with you, right? NIGHT continued trying to reason with herself, a hand on the interface and another covering her face with the sheets. A-and she really did have to get over her feelings soon. It didn't help at all in their interactions when she was this jumpy, this embarrassed about everything the redhead did. How could she...?

--It would happen. It would happen, eventually, as all things took its time. And that it was normal. That's what she told herself, as she mustered up the courage to tap on the message button, still not moving the sheets from her face.

Quote

To: Ceres
From: NIGHT

hy um wanna do smth tgt
im all out of plans 2day
questing myb

NIGHT continued to hesitate, eyes half lidded to blur the contents of her message. What did she do when she started out questing to help her get more stats? A thought and an urge came into her mind, recalling how Yukiro basically tore down a wasp queen in sheer anger, as the two had been stalking it through the forest. She never did get the last hit on that boss, did she?

Well, she wanted it. A little too badly, if she were bold enough to add.

Quote

u wanna fight a wasp queen

Coiling up in her blankets, she hit send, her face now fully buried into her bed. NIGHT tried to ignore her bated breath and the delay before the reply would come in.

If Ceres was even interested at all, anyway.

@Ceres

"Oh Tala~"

There came a sing-song voice, as NIGHT strolled into the shop. Something in her gait felt off, but an all confident smile put anyone's fears to fade. "I haven't seen you in a while! How're you doing? I hope everything's going okay."

"I need a favour," she said, leaning up against the counter, crossing her arms. With a swift movement, she brought down the request form from its stack, and jotted down what she'd needed. "It'll be a cover of a song I used to know. I've got a music sheet in here some where..." The woman checked her bag by her waist, pulling out a slender stack of papers, setting them beside her form and continuing to note things down.

"And... there. That should do it." A motion, now slower, to stack the pages together and hand them over, her face plastered with an unrelenting smile. "Oh-- and, here's payment, of course." The woman brought out a pouch of materials. "There's a little extra inside. My treat."

So the woman traveled for a living rather frequently. Interesting, and her other decisions made sense with the context in place. NIGHT nodded with a smile, now with understanding. "I see... You do have a point. It's very responsible of you."

She watched as Ceres turned her vision up to the trees, wondering how her life must've been in her apartment. Filled high with books, with light flooding the room through a wide window, maybe? Reading stories on a comfy woolen sofa... NIGHT continued holding her smile, imagining it all play out. It's what she would've wanted for herself too, given the chance. "You must have a large collection of photos, then?" She commented, half asking, trying not to get distracted by the imagery. "It's good to know that they're doing well at the end of it all."

NIGHT also nodded when Ceres continued her train of thought on swords. "There's no rush when it comes to skill points," she found herself adding, unsure if it was due to her fear or a genuine suggestion from herself. And as the redhead rose alongside her, she watched in awe as she stretched, picking out the friends list from her interface. NIGHT herself was her first friend? That didn't sound right, but it definitely sounded overwhelming to the woman. She covered her mouth with a hand again. "Y-yeah, sure! I've got a few in mind I-- uh... we could tackle together."

Raising a finger, she accepted the request, watching Ceres' listing appear in her menu.

"A-and yeah," NIGHT stammered out, still carrying the embarrassment from earlier, slowly wearing off. The woman had a point when it came to caring about others, one she wasn't careful enough to recall. Her flustering was then multiplied two-fold when Ceres got close enough to pet her familiar, who lowered his head, enjoying the touch. That approach... was sudden. "Weelll, you've seen him now, haha..." the adventurer joked with a light gesture. "Um, his name's Nyanko. I found him over by another forest out in the rain on this floor. He's always been a chipper kitten from the moment I've met him." She beamed at the cat, who mewed back politely.

With a silent, startled nod towards Ceres' astute observation, NIGHT began escorting the woman back towards the Town of Beginnings, trying to hide a plastered smile on her face once again. The two parted ways by the centre of town, the warrior beginning to jog into an alley as she waved her companion farewell. Not only was there somewhere she had intended to be, there were also frayed feelings she had to grapple with, and a calmer persona to restore --- elsewhere.

- - - - -

Thread Summary

Quote

[Total]
Ceres
+ 4SP
+ 200col

NIGHT
+ 2SP
+ 200col

NIGHT's cheeks couldn't help but burn slightly, more out of comfort and warmth if she hadn't noticed the closeness between them again. This was fine, right? The proximity felt normal, at this point. She turned her thoughts to the environment around her, nodding as Ceres admitted her appreciation for the sensations this game was capable of bringing. NIGHT agreed with a hum.

"A homebody," she then blurted out, as she listened to her reminisce about her life before the game, her gaze transfixed on Ceres' changes in expression. "I can relate. Netball was only a thing... until I was 10, maybe, but the muscle memory still stays with you. After that it was just stay at home, browse the internet and study... I don't really like to play ball that much." NIGHT's gaze went up towards the canopy again, lost in thought.

Until Ceres brought up her work with kittens. Wait, she wasn't exaggerating? Thirty cats sounded like a lot of work. NIGHT listened intently, watching Ceres' lips turn up in a smile, and she couldn't help but form one in return. "I love cats," she managed to whisper, before her face fell as her friend lamented having to let the cats go. "That... that's just sad." Maybe Ceres was used to it, but NIGHT wasn't so ready to part with something -- someone she put that much effort and affection into caring for. "I can't imagine how you do it. Do you ever think about keeping them with you? Even with one or two permanent cats... it's still manageable to foster, right?"

Speaking of cats, she felt her bag wiggle about, hearing the smallest of squeaks from it. Was now a good time to introduce Nyanko? NIGHT opened the flap on her bag, distracted for a moment, examining her friend over. He seemed okay enough, it should be fine to leave the bag open for a bit. It wasn't like the other day with Star, when it started to rain in the forest.

Something about food and quests and equipment? Oh, she was saving the questing for another day. That was fine by her. "A-A sword's good," NIGHT hastily replied, turning her sights back on Ceres as she revealed her thoughts about changing her weapon. The player recalled the short blade the woman worked with, and shuddered a little. "It has a longer reach and a proper guard." She recounted, gesturing with her hands the approximated length of a short sword. "So you've got the right idea if you're planning to stick on the defense. Especially since you're not pouring points into skills." 

Also, swords don't make me want to run as much as knives do, NIGHT thought to herself.

"I don't mind taking a stroll around the Town of Beginnings, if that's what you're asking." She folded her arms, unable to stop a grin from showing through. It would be nice to spend more time with Ceres just for the conversation. NIGHT hadn't exactly found other players, aside from Tala, and maybe Star, that would seem to enjoy having a casual chat with her. "I've got some weapons I need to pick up from a store. I'll walk back with you."

"And uh--" NIGHT stopped, cheeks flushed once more. For Ceres to say that she was worried about her so openly and honestly... must really mean she cared a lot about others, the woman figured. Maybe it's normal for her. "Yeah, it did drop. We got lucky! I'd pull it out, but it's not something..." The adventurer frowned, recalling. "... That... I'd be okay with holding. A-and I'm fine. I..." She slowly got up, pushing herself off the ground, avoiding Ceres' gaze for a beat. Her kitten must've been peeking out by her side, observing the stranger for himself, as NIGHT felt the shuffle and tug at her belt. "I appreciate the concern," she managed to add, beaming at the woman. "Thank you very much!"

@Ceres

Watching the blades get made was an interesting process to behold. With each section that was built up, formed and layered, they melded with their foundation for a sturdy frame. There was also a note of interest; Macradon seemed to be able to identify and improve on certain sections of the swords, with which wielding them could cause discomfort. Better grip, a sharper edge, and a calculated an alignment of weight on the hilt of the sword. Was this truly the work of a Grandmaster Blacksmith? Perhaps he used the same swords himself, and transferred the knowledge of his skills onto his crafts.

Either way, when he was done, NIGHT went up to the counter to collect them. "They look good, thank you. I really appreciate the amount of care that went into them." Storing them inventory, she left the shop with a bow, moving onto the other streets of the Town of Beginnings.

[16/12/19]

It was good etiquette in crafting to salvage as much as was possible when a plan had gone awry. After the two she'd managed to save earlier, she hissed as a loose hand cut through the leather she was working with, making it too fragile and and fragmented to work with anymore. As it scattered into pieces, NIGHT could only sigh, ready to hang her head in frustration.

Nyanko put a paw to her hand, curiously batting at the light. The artisan blinked, and then giggled, watching the cat look upon the particles in awe. A gentle pat and a smooch to his forehead was enough to keep her spirits high enough to complete today's work.

Quote

ATP Member Bonus: +5 LD on Salvage, +2 XP/Craft
Athena's Lens: +1 CD
Ambition: +1 XP/Craft
Loot Die: +3 LD

ID: 132062 | CD: 11 (10, +1) | Success! (Rare)
ID: 132063 | CD: 5 (4, +1) | LD: 11 (3, +8) | Salvage (Success)
ID: 132064 | CD: 5 (4, +1) | LD: 15 (7, +8) | Salvage (Success)
ID: 132065 | CD: 12 (11, +1) | Success! (Perfect)
ID: 132066 | CD: 2 (1, +1) | Fail
ID: 132067 | CD: 11 (10, +1) | Success! (Rare)
ID: 132068 | CD: 3 (2, +1) | LD: 27 (19, +8) | Salvage (Success)

Result: +46 (25, +14 +7) XP, -4 TI Materials, [T1E2] Rare Crafted Trinket (2), [T1E3] Perfect Crafted Trinket (1)

"A friend I know got a broken foot once. It healed rather quickly," NIGHT said, "But she still had to hobble for quite a while." She brushed her hair out of her face as Ceres took a seat on the earth. Deciding to join her, the adventurer crossed her legs over where her conversationalist patted down the floor, convincing herself that the dirt wasn't such a big deal as she made it out to be.

NIGHT nodded, listening in to Ceres' discussion, about pain -- and slobber. Yuck! Her face contorted into a look of disgust when she heard it. "Sorry to hear that it happened to you -- that's.. actually why I'm fully covered most of the time." The woman pointed out to her gloves and sleeves. "With the amount of enemies I'm bound to face outside, I really, really don't want to have boar slobber on me... Or any other kind of nasty gunk the world has to offer."

"But uh, yeah, I'm fine." she hesitated, trying to come up with a response, from battles to figure skating. Where to start...?

"I'm used to the pain, I think." NIGHT closed her eyes, in thought. "When I started out, I had mitigation on my armor pieces to try and stop the shock. It worked... somewhat, then the enemies I faced just got tougher." Her fingers overlapped each other as she put her hands together, fidgeting. "I still fall back on the idea, somewhat. But nowadays I try to keep light on my feet. Oh-- there's a really nice tailor by my workshop..."

She pointed with a finger, down to her threads. "They made these shoes for me. Helps me dodge attacks from enemies, if I can help it." NIGHT grinned back at Ceres, still thinking about the figure skating comment. "Maybe that's why I'm so fast? Uh-- the other component might be that... I used to play netball," she continued, placing a hand to her cheek. "But that was years ago... I don't know if it still counts to help me out in battle."

The player sat in thought for a moment, looking up at the leaves from the trees. Then she turned over to her friend to ask, "Out of curiosity, do you have anything planned after this? I'm assuming you'd be back looking for quests to complete again, when this one's over. I can help out, if you want." NIGHT returned a confident smile. "Especially if they involve dealing with combat of some sort. It's what I've been training to do."

@Ceres

The woman chuckled, the blacksmith recommendations rushing to her head. "I'd shill for a couple of people I know," she clarified, "but I wouldn't want you to become the target of advertising. Still, though, it should be easy to find a good deal these days in the Town of Beginnings."

Actually... I should upgrade my gear too, she thought, with a moment's pause.

"Looks like it's starting to rain."

And it seemed so, as NIGHT broke out of her thoughts and turned her head upwards to look. Where there was once a sky of brilliant blue, peaking through the leaves, it was now replaced by hints of dark muted blues, overcasting clouds hiding the light from reaching the forest floor. She muttered a word of alarm under her breath, on instinct.

As Star pulled a hood up from his cloak, she turned to face him, shaking her head at his question. "The rain's not a bother for me. I quite like it, actually." With a grin, she placed a hand on her hip, gesturing with the other. "It's mostly the unexpectedness of a downpour that gets me each time. I enjoy the water and chill it brings, not so much the surprise."

A sudden shift came from the bag on her side. Sometimes, she forgot that her familiar came along with her everywhere she went. A small squeak came from the kitten, and NIGHT opened up the flap of the leather bag, checking to see if her cat was doing alright. "I don't suppose you're good with animals?" She shifted her belt, turning her back so that it faced Star. The furry friend peeked his head out, looking upwards as a drop of rain dampened his coat. "Sorry, Nyanko," NIGHT said with a giggle. "I thought you liked the rain too?"

The player met Star's gaze, beginning with another introduction. "That's my familiar. I found him outside one day during a storm. There's an old lady somewhere in the castle that helps players tame creatures like him, I bet she might be in the town one of these days if you want a fuzzy friend of yours."

@Morningstar

If the player hadn't noticed the shop owner, that's because they were chilling by the stairs, hidden away in their little, lovely alcove. "Hey," she called out, with a smirk and a cup of tea in her hands. NIGHT set down the drink, after taking another sip of it, shuffling over to the request forms. Taking a glance, the woman nodded, going into the backroom for a second.

Two flashes of light were visible from the door way, and the sound of sizzling fire, but nothing was out of the ordinary in the artisan's procedures. Stepping outside, she slid the items down the counter, wrapped up nicely in colorful paper packaging. "Enjoy, and good luck!"

@Nephthys

Item Name: Lucky Dice
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 6
Roll ID:  131346
Roll Result:  13 (13, +1)
Item Type: Trinket
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: +3 LD
Description: A simple dice, only each side has the number three engraved into it.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18303-f01-r6-artisan-the-evening-star-open/?do=findComment&amp;comment=589887

Item Name: Hawk Bracelet
Profession: Artisan
Rank: 6
Roll ID:  131885
Roll Result:  12 (11, +1)
Item Type: Bracelet
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: +3 ACC
Description: A simple silver chain, but the clasp seems to be shaped to look like a Hawk.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18303-f01-r6-artisan-the-evening-star-open/?do=findComment&amp;comment=590561

As much as the adventurer wanted to commend Star for his attack, NIGHT was a little too busy looking over her blade, shaking it a little. His strike was dealing much more damage than she had anticipated. It occurred to her that, perhaps, his luck at hitting enemies was just non-comparable to her own, back when she was just starting out. With a glance, she took a rough gauge of the variant's health bar, before her gaze went back over to her sword

"I can--" NIGHT replied with a scowl, resuming form. One beat, and then two, and yet still nothing from the system. She continued holding her stance for a little more, feeling extremely foolish in her state. "-- If the system would actually wor--"

-- Ping!

She pelted forward, unseeable forces carrying her rocketing forward towards the variant. With a well-placed slash, it was enough to sunder the nepent apart, it screeching with a higher pitched squeal, unlike its kin from before. NIGHT stretched her feet out, trying to stop herself from toppling forward as she came to a stop, still feeling rather surprised from the immediate push forth. Panting, she added, "--I.. wasn't ready for that... I'm good though!"

Looks like the plant had dropped the quest item they were looking for. No other reason to stay around here, she figured. As she passed Star by, she waved at him to follow, before scanning the perimeter for any signs of the ugly bobbing enemies. Nothing around. That's good.

"You did pretty good back there," NIGHT said, when they were back at their paces. "A lot more damage than I was familiar with. How's your gear looking?" The player was tempted to pull up an examination window, but since she was already in conversation with him, it couldn't hurt just to ask.

@Morningstar

Quote

ID: 132012 | BD: 7 (4, +3)
<<Straight>> vs Nepent Variant.
11 * 2 = 22 DMG | 22 - 5 = 17 DMG

Nepent Variant | HP: -11/15 (-17) | DMG: 10 | MIT: 5

NIGHT | HP: 440/440 | EN: 34/44 (+1, -2) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 11 | EVA: 3

Loot:
ID: 132013 | LD: 18
<Nepent's Ovule> obtained.

NIGHT caught the briefest hint of a smile, as Star kicked up the leaves around them. While she didn't know what was going on in his thoughts, she could certainly appreciate the understanding he had for her motives. That was all she could ask for, she imagined, feeling a great sense of relief.

His next question was of great intrigue to her, either because she wasn't much of a planner, or because she wasn't too fussed about the actions of the other players at the top. NIGHT wondered with a hum, casually looking around the forest, a half-hearted search with the distraction on her mind. "To be honest," she began when she'd found her voice. "I don't really have anything planned for now. I'm just going along with what adventures the system has laid out for us, and that's enough for me."

"The frontlines... I'm assuming that's what you're referring to with the boss fights, right?" Was she even familiar with anyone that powerful? No, she doubted it. There were a few names that came to mind when she imagined someone of a higher skill level than her... but none so overwhelmingly strong that she could imagine them facing creatures akin to gods straight on. Maybe her perception on the floor bosses needed changing...

A rustling, and a hint of red caught her eye amongst the darkness. NIGHT decided to get her answer off her chest, before she forgot it. "I wouldn't mind joining them, if I were strong enough to. But as I am right now, I've got no hard opinions on the matter. I'd rather be enjoying myself in the moment, you know?"

She pulled her blade from her sheathe as the creature waddled out with a cackle, vines swaying to and fro. The adventurer took a stance, expecting to lunge towards the beast in a rush, but standing there for half a beat too long made her step out of her auto-piloted trance, examining her blade. "What? Dammit, give me a moment."

Thankfully, it didn't seem like their enemy was bent on attacking them right off the bat, lending them a moment to take action.

@Morningstar

Quote

ID: 132009 | BD: 5 (2, +3)
NIGHT missed!

Nepent Variant | HP: 15/15 | DMG: 10 | MIT: 5

NIGHT | HP: 440/440 | EN: 35/44 (+1, -2) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 11 | EVA: 3

"Right."

Closing the gap between the nepent and herself, she took a wide swing at the creature, tearing its form in half. Easy enough. The plant shrieked and chattered as it faded away, with NIGHT ignoring its dying howls to look for the variant as well.

She also owed Star her own reasons for adventuring, didn't she? "Now that that's taken care of," she began, placing her blade's weight on her shoulders again, "How should I put this? Um..."

It took her a moment's pause to construct her response, but she finally spoke. "For the past two years, I ended up staying holed up in the Town of Beginnings." NIGHT raised her face, to look up towards the canopy, trying to see the sky through the leaves. "It's pretty basic. But... I hated the living conditions in the town. It's so... monotonous. It feels pretty selfish to admit that in hindsight, but that's what I feel." The woman sighed, before placing a lock of hair behind her ear. "One night I ended up stowing away from my inn room, finally having enough of the cramped quarters and the moldy spaces... That's how it started."

Her gaze returned to the forest, watching the darkness for any signs of the blooming nepent. "It's not very deep, but it's the truth."

@Morningstar

Quote

ID: 132006 | BD: 6 (3, +3)
Basic Attack vs Nepent #4. (-11 DMG)

Nepent #4 | HP: -4/7 | DMG: 3

NIGHT | HP: 440/440 | EN: 36/44 (+1, -1) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 11 | EVA: 3

[15/12/19]

She changed her prices. It was probably for the better, seeing as how she felt more reliable in churning out quality crafts, and having a better pool of materials to work with now. Humming a little tune, she wiped away at Athena's Lens further, eager to have it clean at all times, just to show that she cared for the tool. On her desk sat a variety of crafts, and a scatter of materials to the side, the last remnants of blue light starting to fade away. All in all, she would count today as a success, when she had at least one perfect on the table.

Quote

ATP Member Bonus: +5 LD on Salvage, +2 XP/Craft
Athena's Lens: +1 CD
Ambition: +1 XP/Craft
Loot Die: +3 LD

ID: 131991 | CD: 6 (5, +1) | Success! (Uncommon)
ID: 131992 | CD: 2 (1, +1) | Fail
ID: 131993 | CD: 6 (5, +1) | Success! (Uncommon)
ID: 131994 | CD: 11 (10, +1) | Success! (Rare)
ID: 131995 | CD: 5 (4, +1) | LD: 11 (3, +8) | Salvage (Success) 
ID: 131996 | CD: 12 (11, +1) | Success! (Perfect)
ID: 131997 | CD: 10 (9, +1) | Success! (Rare)

Result: +48 (27, +14 +7) XP, -6 TI Materials  [T1E1] Uncommon Crafted Trinket (2), [T1E2] Rare Crafted Trinket (2), [T1E3] Perfect Crafted Trinket (1)

The fall was sudden -- as NIGHT continued running circles around the nepent, she finally saw Ceres drop to the floor, a bright red blur in the scenery of greens. She could hear the woman's groans even from far away-- and it sounded like she was in more pain than even NIGHT herself had ever felt.

Taking another shot at dismantling the creature with her blade, she placed her faith in the system, careful to arc her blade in the oddest way possible for this movement in particular to begin. A bright light was her only signal -- but it was enough. In an instant, her blade cleaved through the plant's form, tearing down the various vines that waved about distractively, the final blow plunging the sword through the nepent's center, shattering it for good.

A distinct shriek and the bone-chilling chattering of teeth was its death call, and NIGHT dropped all combat pretense with the sheathe of her greatsword, rushing over to Ceres' side. "Hey! Hey--"

"-- That was a nasty fall," she commented, kneeling down by the woman's side. Now it was her turn to be forward, but for good reason, with the woman struggling to get up. NIGHT hooked Ceres' arm over her shoulder, across her back, doing her best to aid her in standing once more. As best as she could manage, she replied, trying to reassure her friend. "I-I'm here. You doing okay? No... bruises? Cuts? ... Injuries?"

@Ceres

Quote

ID: 131956 | BD: 9
<<Scooped>> vs Nepent Variant.
11 + 1 = 12 DMG | 12 * 3 = 36 DMG
Nepent Variant has been defeated!

Nepent Variant | HP: -21/15 (-36) | DMG: 10

NIGHT | HP: 440/440 | EN: 32/44 (+1, -3) | ACC: 3 | DMG: 11 | EVA: 3

Loot:
ID: 131957 | LD: 19
<Nepent Ovule's> obtained.