NIGHT

NIGHT hummed in response, once she noticed her companion step out of the diner. Her pace seemed to parallel her own demeanor, an upbeat, steady shuffling paired with an unmoving, neutral expression. She didn't pay Nari's words too much attention to begin with, until the walk to the estate seemed to leave her attention wanting for more. Sure, the city was beautiful, but it wasn't as though the first hadn't provided for it before. With the number of 'uhms' her leader gave her, it seemed like a reasonable guess that she might've been... hesitant? And after making an offer like that? NIG

What. The closest incident of this occurring that NIGHT could remember was when she was sending funds to ChaseR. And a little before that, Oscar had foot the bill on her own home. Speaking of those transactions, she'd known all parties involved in the trade -- -- So what was with that reckless behaviour of spending someone else's money without knowing where it came from? NIGHT watched as the woman rose from her seat, just as her familiar whimpered. And she nodded, taking the time away from the woman to consider exactly what she was getting into. Nari was a pain -- the same type

“I… think you’ll like the place. I hope you will.” In truth, NIGHT had imagined she rightfully would, with the caveat that it was designed by a complete novice at the game, and hence, some features of the home would be found missing. She didn't say it, however, still stirring with regret as her eyes turned back to Nari. “It’s not super fancy or stocked or anything, but… it has a wonderful greenhouse, a couple of nice bedrooms and some relaxation areas." A couple of bedrooms? Some relaxation areas -- NIGHT's mind was faster to pin down the numbers and room types for such a purcha

Though the quest hadn't seemed to tire her out enough for a crash, NIGHT did realize how much time had passed since she'd been in the dark. And not to discount her friend's efforts, either; with Koga responsible for all the heavy lifting, it made sense that he'd find himself exhausted more so than the women did. She nodded with a hum. "We're getting separate rooms, though," came the unexpected response from the entity. Knowing her other wasn't want for sleep, it didn't make sense for her opinion to matter to the ones who needed it -- not in this situation, at least. The player shot her a

"Mm?" Queried. NIGHT thought about the proposal for a moment. It was a miracle how the player managed to afford the estate in the first place, after all, and though she wasn't familiar with gauging housing prices, she didn't think her estimate would be too far off from the actual numbers, since she too had bought one herself. A chew, before swallowing. General neutrality read as disappointment once the woman closed her eyes. "Sure." After all, what could go wrong with a house visi- -wait. Suddenly, the implications of Nari's unfettered grin and purr kicked in, a

NIGHT considered her words for a moment, because sure, play was certainly a concept they had to grapple with time and time again -- they were players in Aincrad, after all. But all the thought and leniency involved for it at the dinner table left her questioning what its definition was. "I don't suppose it's normal for you to do the same around friends, is it?" And even if their eve was supposed to push those boundaries, she couldn't find a scenario where it'd be fun to fight for one's food. A brief exhale. She could see the look of disappointment on Nari's face, though she wasn't quite s

Her offer had been made in good faith. She didn't know where the idea came from, giving an inch, but perhaps Nari was more than ready to take the whole mile and run off with it. So as NIGHT held onto the spoon's handle, still perplexed as to who exactly she was dealing with, her other hand reached out to the utensils basket and pulled out another spoon. It wasn't as though Nari had been using hers. She let her grip go on the one her companion had latched onto, more weary than entertained. And she let the tip of her unused spoon sink into the broth of her bowl before pulling a couple

Get to the airships. Got it. Except, NIGHT didn't have a clue where they were, nor what in the world she was supposed to do with them. Sorry, was this even a necessary step in the process? Cardinal had given them no heads up about what was to follow once they'd left the boss room -- only something about a king that had to be slain, and the king was nowhere to be seen. Was she even needed here? As Koga raced off towards the direction pointed out (that NIGHT so clearly missed, eyes faced towards the skies in confusion), the woman followed, though albeit slower than urgency would

"Seems about right." NIGHT turned back to Koga to respond. A physical count returned the same number he did. As for their next step, she gave the crowd that they'd escorted out a sweep. "I don't think we can walk back with this many people." And that statement wasn't for naught, either. In the light, it was much easier to see the injuries that the farmers had suffered. Red streaks were of least severity; those wounds had healed up over time. But bruising and signs of infection were starting to show. NIGHT was doing the best she could to hold in her concern. She tapped DAY on the

NIGHT looked to the fry offered just as she drank from her spoon. What was she; a pet? A dog? Even she knew rationale like a person more so than a beast directed by their stomach. So the apology afterwards was welcome. She analyzed the other, still tentative, still eating her meal, awaiting for the end of her speak. And NIGHT nodded, cooing lowly, before going back to her food. "Well at least I know you've got half a brain in there..." ... No, that response wouldn't do. With a breath, her shoulders lowered, and her head dipped slightly. "Sorry, that was harsh. What I guess I'd meant

“I couldn’t resist something so beautiful." "It was until you ruined it." "And…well, it was to lighten the mood." "Lighten the mood for whom?" Each objection from the woman came on instinct, as though it was a banter by any other day. She stirred her meal with her spoon, disgruntled still. Until-- "Oh and I licked that spoon.” NIGHT took a breath, noticing the woman emphasize it. "I got that," she hissed back. "And thankfully for you, not everyone is saliva conscious, especially in a setting like Aincrad." She continued watching her bowl, seething somehow fam

In the quiet that followed, NIGHT considered her rationale: that hesitation. But her mind drifted, followed a train of thought that lead her to obstacles, if she were to consider Nari's offer seriously. Anyone's offer seriously, even. Because she wasn't just the only one with baggage in Aincrad, she knew that much. But for them to take a real form in this world was much, much worse a concept. She thought back to the dream with Hidden, bouncing back to the discussion with Yuki. How she hadn't been ready to entertain such a thought in the first place -- finding romance? Especially in a deat

The same crossroads. The fear of not taking no for an answer. NIGHT usually hadn't a difficulty there -- she didn't once or twice over before. And yet, this time... There was hesitation where there shouldn't be. A thumping in her ears. It wasn't as though there was anything wrong with saying no, but it was almost like an affirmation was clearly not the best choice. Yet it hung over her head, like a Sword of Damocles. “I understand and respect if the answer is no but…I hope…well, I hope that maybe in time…” Nari may have understood, but NIGHT didn't. And not for not wanting

"No, I get what you mean." It paled in comparison with what Nari was talking about, of course. She didn't have as much experience with grief as anyone else rightfully did, and pain like this wasn't capable of proper comparison. Still, she made the effort to understand, thumb still running over skin. "I don't think... we'll ever move on from the people we've met. Especially if they've meant so much to us. And... it comes and goes in waves, doesn't it? Like an old friend, like a ghost that keeps haunting." Sad eyes bore into the wall they sat next to. And a sliver of a smile came throu

They didn't have guns in Singapore. Even so, she walked down memory lane with Nari. The woods at the park near her house. Someone, someone familiar she trusted. To spend only weekends with the person, and then, how many years? NIGHT closed her eyes, trying to envision, thumb sliding on her companion's skin subconsciously. And the part where she couldn't accept no? Her teeth gnashed together, fingers tightened, as she continued imagining. "I said yes…but her parents learnt of it…and I was away for the weekend, out exploring out special spot." Any crime like that would've be

So the tears-- they had been the surprise. NIGHT had assumed their discussion were going fine, but it seemed that those words -- that recital -- may have been more impactful than she'd expected. And the woman was anything but knowledgeable about emotions, but-- Man, what was with her and making girls cry? The past melted away just as she watched Nari's tears, listening. Just the same as Yuki, the same acceptance; except more remorse where there shouldn't have been any. "If you have no fears, nothing to regret," NIGHT willed herself to ask, "Then... Nari, why are you crying

"Well…yes, I guess. The desire to escape, although I guess that’s not a great excuse…” In truth, she had been like of mind. “…I guess, there is a reason – albeit I don’t know if it’s a great one. It’s…well, those around me." So a standard reason. Just as similar as Yuki's. The reason for one to head towards the front was always in lieu of someone else -- to escape the world, open up the gates of freedom for their similar prisoners. NIGHT nodded as she listened, an elbow on the table, cheek cupped in a hand, and it all seemed normal. Until-- Nari closed her eyes, and it

It hadn't been too long since Ronbaru was released. So Nari's commentary was strange -- but welcome. A smile only came to NIGHT when it was mentioned, and the player's gaze followed the waiter once they'd left, the latter showing after a quick call from earlier. Her attention was stolen back at the mention of col, and the woman couldn't help but turn suspect at her companion's wallet. "An estate isn't a simple purchase." Either Nari was stacked, or she was pushing her means. And judging from her situation, it was more likely the latter. NIGHT waved off the player's intent of paying.

"Mm. Why did I have a feeling you'd say something like that?" Nothing about Nari gave away that fact visually. And any player who'd stepped outside of the Town of Beginnings had every right to do so without aiming for the floor raids. Rather, NIGHT should've guessed it from how quickly the woman had taken to the latest floor. There had to be a specific trait for someone to have done so. If it wasn't for a sense of duty, like many others, then perhaps it was a distraction from an idle game, or the wonders of an ever expanding world that kept the player entertained. Something, a reason, tha

A quick murmur from the entity was more than enough to indicate an acknowledgement. And NIGHT was busy trying to clear space for the construct upwards. When blue eyes peered over the ledge again, she pulled the woman upwards, close, the entity fighting to cling onto the player for support. Almost like it was on purpose. "You know," DAY whispered, and it was close enough that NIGHT could feel the heat in her ears as the other was breathing. "It would've been better if you'd been in his position to begin with." And the grip on her tracksuit tightened, right at her chest. The player bar

Hesitation, NIGHT could stand. Faltering? The woman was only thankful Nari had kept her balance, though kept a hand on her wrist, tight grip, eyes open wide in fear. "Hey, careful." Though the chide was direct, the concern was intensely more so. That hold never left even as they continued walking towards the restaurant. They'd played it off as an accident -- NIGHT hoped it so, for the only time she could remember something similar occurring to her was when she was feeling faint, having not eaten in Aincrad in moments before her journey began. And Nari sounded okay, sounded more than okay