Noctua

She watched as he finished off the remaining three hounds. She knew that he could do it, he had always been able to do it. She was the one who couldn't hit a tree with an axe if she was given the opportunity. Even during that horrible incident.... She stiffened for just a moment when he hugged her. It was tight, warm, comforting, something that she had been longing for. Slowly, oh so very painstakingly slowly, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back.

But, how long was this going to last? How long was the shock going to keep him from being mad at her. Wait... did he just say that she was alive? Had she made him think that she was dead? How long had she even managed to stay off of the grid? When he let go of her, she waited to see that anger that she was expecting, but it didn't come. He was crying, but she couldn't tell if they were happy or sad tears, she just knew that they were tears.

The moment that she heard her true name come from him, she closed her eyes, not bothering to attempt to wipe away her tears. They were happy but saddened with guilt tears. She did him dirty by leaving how she did, and he didn't seem to care at the moment. "Yeah, Masato, it's me." She reopened her eyes and looked at him, before Athena ruffled her feathers, the owl was becoming impatient, there was something that they should be doing.

"I'm sorry Koga, I really am. I... I got to go, I, um... I've got a quest to do...." Just saying those words hurt, because she was leaving him behind again, and she knew it. But she didn't want to at the same time. She thought of something though, a single phrase that she had taught him in French. "Je t'aime." The easy translation, "I love you", the harder translation, "Don't let me go please".

@Koga

He was confused, and that was understandable. She sighed though, because he seemed to be alright after all of those hits. But that still didn't help her at all. She couldn't say anything, but she did nod lightly. He wanted to know if it was her, but she just couldn't say a word. She instead focused on the hound first. She lunged forward, only to miss, yet again.

"Damn it...." There, her first words since she noticed who he was. Question was, when these things were dead, was he just going to push her away? She wouldn't blame him if that was the case, she did walk away from him without a word. She did basically break both of their hearts, though the question of whose was broken more was left open.

There was also the trust that they had built, or that she thought that they had built. What if all of those things were true? Those words were still going through her mind as she straightened herself up, taking a deep breath. "Kill them, we both know that I won't hit them." That was the truth wasn't it.

@Koga

Right, he was going to need help. They didn't seem to notice her. That was going to work in her favor really. As Koga fought the hounds, Athena came down and perched herself onto Noct's shoulders. She was trying to convince the girl that she could do this. That she could protect and save him. Noctua knew how, she had a skill that would help with that. One that she learned, and no one ever learned about. She had learned the skill after the incident with Tala is what made her learn this skill.

Slowly, she rose to her feet, using her rapier as a crutch for a moment. After the first hound hit Koga again, and then the other two missed him, she focused on Koga. She called from something in her that she needed, her courage to help the man whom she loved and whom she left. She selected First Aid, and she used it on Koga. How much it did, she didn't know, but she knew that it was at least enough to make sure that he didn't die.

If he was to look at her, he would see that she was crying, but no sound was coming from her.

@Koga

So, he did recognize her. That was probably a very bad thing. But it was him saying her name that got to her. She gripped the hilt of her rapier tighter, trying to ignore it. She could hear the confusion in his voice, the pain. It all just hurt, possibly more than she wanted it to. She tried to will the tears away, but she was beat by them. One fell, then another, and even though it hurt to see him, seeing him get hurt worse.

She rushed forward, intending to hit one of the undead hounds, but she couldn't see. As she had gotten closer to him, she missed. This felt too familiar to her, like it was a memory of the past. Like she had witnessed this before. Because she had, one of the quests that they had gone on together. He wasn't in her party, she had made sure of that when she left him, so she didn't know where his health was at this point.

She didn't like that. She didn't like the fact that she didn't have actual words to say. She wanted to answer him. To say something. But she couldn't find the words, she didn't have the courage. That was something that he had been helping her with before, and she broke that by leaving him. She didn't call that courage, she called that fear and because of it, she was riddled with guilt.

But now, now she might actually watch him die right before her very eyes, and that hurt even more. Athena couldn't even help Noct out of this funk now, she was stuck there. Her hand let go of her rapier as she just sunk to the floor, just unsure of everything.

@Koga

She finally left the inn room, it's been how long since she's actually been outside? She couldn't tell you honestly, she's lost track of time. Athena was on her shoulder, encouraging her to leave, and so, she did. She was nervous at first, but after a bit, she started to feel fine. At least, until an old lady walked up to her and offered her a quest. Noct looked at the details; go out and find a banshee's lair, kill its guardians, and kill the banshee. That seemed simple enough really, so she pressed accept.

She looked at Athena after accepting the quest. She needed to do something after all right? She couldn't just continue to sit and mope in the various inns that she had been renting out. Besides, she liked things like this quest. It was right up her alley, banshees, they were just folklore like myths. Who wouldn't love something like that? She sighed though, knowing that he would have liked this as well.

There was a soft hoot that came from Athena, and Noct nodded lightly. "You're right Athena, I left him behind, I should keep it that way. It might hurt less." As if. But, she had to do something, and if she learned anything from him it was that fighting was the best therapy for moments like these. She had just been ignoring that therapy for months, or at least, what she thought were months. She doesn't know any more really, mainly because she had been hiding.

Literally hiding. She only left the inns when she needed food, or needed to move to another one. She didn't want to take the chance of being spotted. She had seen Tala around, and she knew that the young wolf was looking for Noct. Tala probably just wanted to know why Noct had left Koga at the altar, but she didn't have an answer that anyone would like. There was another hoot, and even a small peck this time, and she inhaled deeply. "Yeah, let's go."

They left the town behind and started to look for this lair, only to have had no luck so far. Instead, they heard some kind of commotion instead. Athena was faster than Noct, she didn't know if she had the courage for this anymore. She should probably just turn around and head back to the inn. But, she heard a pair of growls, and looked around, only to see that there were four undead dogs gathering around something, or someone. Athena flew over to them and screeched, wanting Noctua to hurry up.

She put one foot in front of the other, remembering why she had ventured out that first day. She wanted to be able to help those in need. Well, this was her moment. Her unsure walk soon turned into full-blown run as she unsheathed her rapier. As she neared the person who was surrounded, she came to a skidding halt though, "N-no...." It couldn't be him. How could he be stupid enough to get himself caught in a simple trap? But there was just a single thought that went through her head, as she dared the tears she felt threatening her sight to fall, Koga, I still love you, but I don't know if I can do this. I can't face you.

That single line kept running in her mind on a loop. A torturous loop.

@Koga

She watched as Okami went and woke the man up. She shuddered from the drool that she saw on him and she chuckled lightly at the same time. Guess he should have woke up when she told him too the first time. He was finally waking up it seemed like and she looked at him. "Something, but yes, it needs to be killed. A merchant is unable to get his supply caravans anywhere safely, something keeps stopping them."

She looked at him and smiled, "So, I figure, we go kill whatever this thing is that is terrorizing the poor merchant on the second floor, and afterwards, we go for some French cuisine afterwards." There you go Koga, she is determining the plan for the day. Be proud of the woman. Right now though, she looked at Athena and whistled lightly, the owl looked over at her, then Koga and just settled back to sleep. "Great, she's been around you too long," she joked lightly as she sat on the edge of the bed and waited for him.

@Koga

She stared at him in disbelief. He really wasn't catching on right now was he? "I know her from her coming into our shop and being friendly with you." So, that was how he was stronger than her, that was now making perfect sense. But, instead of attempting to delve much more into the conversation, he was so graciously saved by some mobs that decided that the pair needed a distraction.

"Yeah." She didn't wait long after that at all. Her hand hand been hovering over the hilt of her rapier when the antmen showed up, and knowing that he was ready to fight and wasn't about to go and get himself killed was a good thing. She wasn't entirely done with their previous conversation after all. But, with the goal of taking her jealousy out on the antman in front of her, she dashed forward, the blade of her rapier turning violet just before she unleashed a quick flurry of thrusts at the antman. She didn't do all of the damage that she wanted, but she at least dropped the antman's health, a lot.

@Koga

The sun wasn't even up just yet, she was though. She didn't know why exactly. Koga was asleep, and she was going to leave him that way for now. Instead, she silently looked at the owl who was perched by the window, a small hoot came from her before Noctua smiled and left the inn room. She walked through the streets of the town, until she saw a new bill on the quest board. She looked at the details before she turned and went back to the inn room.

Once back, she walked over to Koga and kissed his cheek, "Hey, love, wake up. Someone needs some help on the second floor." She was going to leave it with that as she started to make sure that she had the things that she wanted in her inventory and the right equipment on. She noticed that he still wasn't out of bed yet and she looked at Okami. "Okami, a little help please?"

@Koga

He was staring at her in disbelief, and she didn't really blame him. She had been against things that could get them both killed for years. But the disbelief turned to surprise and she chuckled lightly. She knew that there were a lot of things that could potentially go wrong, but she wasn't going to let that stop her from letting him have his fun.

She figured that Yuki, NIGHT, and Tala were going to be at the top of his list. But there was a name that she didn't hear. Was he trying to hide something now? As she walked, she picked up another material and kept walking as she voiced her next comment. "What about that Azhoda chick? You two obviously seem to know each other enough to know how you both fight." She didn't look at him, she just kept walking.

Was that a hint of jealousy? Yes, a random woman had come into their shop and commented on him knowing how she fought and she hadn't once heard of this person. Yes, she was jealous.

@Koga

She looked at him and she shook her head, "Babe, you realize that if I'm insane, then that means your just as insane, if not more insane." He wasn't the only one who could joke about their sanity, besides, that much was true. He did agree to marry her after all.

The look that she gave him, made him quickly change his mind when he said that the NPC would just respawn. She smiled lightly before she kissed his cheek, making sure that he was walking behind her once more. "I think we both are love, I mean, you did manage to get the slime on me as well." The walk seemed to be short getting to the village. Queue the scream and the instant headache reforming.

They gave the NPC the item that was needed and waited for the quest to be finished. Things calmed down, and they promptly left, going back to the Town of the Beginnings. Food was on the list as well as a couple of baths to get the slime off of themselves.

Thread Summary:

"I try, but only for you." She chuckled with him for a moment then as she just relished in the embrace. But of course, she knew that it was going to have to end at some time, no matter how much she didn't want that. For now though, she spun around after he kissed her head and she kissed his cheek lightly with a smile. "As long as I get to keep you, I think I'll remain being sweet." Was that a hint of jealousy, over nothing?

She still thought on her choice of skills for a moment. She was torn, mainly because she didn't want to die, but she also didn't want to chance him dying. Why couldn't these decisions be easier to make? "I really wish that I could say that I have officially made up my mind," she chuckled for a moment, "mainly because I don't want to get hurt, which is where my light armor would come in, but I don't want you to be hurt either, which is where the first aid would come in." Another small thought process, "Hm, perhaps I'll just ask your opinion on that when I need to focus on it." That should at least help with that for now.

"Burritos it is, but I can't wait to see how to like French cuisine." There was a hint of excitement in her voice as she started to drag him back to the town then. Their quest for the day done, so that was pleasant at least. Perhaps now they could just sit and relax for a little bit. But knowing them, that wasn't going to happen, they would find something new to go about and do. The walk to town was fast and peaceful, and soon enough, they were sitting and chatting while eating some burritos.

@Koga

Thread Summary:

She looked at the parchment and she instantly shook her head with a sighing laugh. Only he would be so bold as to want to go and hunt down a sub-dungeon. "So, my lovely husband wants to find a sub-dungeon. What could go wrong?" She was going to support this wholeheartedly, mainly because she wanted to see what it might bring for them. Plus, it sounded fun. Perhaps Koga was rubbing off onto her more than one might think. She was starting to enjoy fighting and hunting down things that had the possibility to kill her.

"Yeah, we might be good on gear for now." She saw something on the ground and quickly grabbed the material before she thought for a moment. "But, who are we going to drag along with us?" She looked at him as she put the material into her inventory. She was curious to know who he thought was going to be worthy of going into a sub-dungeon with them.

@Koga

People were still focused on them. She wasn't sure if she liked it. So she mainly just focused on Yukiro and Tala. The pair was hiding something, she could tell by the way that Yukiro was stammering. It kind of sounded like herself back a while ago. Of course, it was Tala who had finished whatever it was that Yukiro couldn't finish. She smiled though and clapped lightly, "That's grand you two, congratulations." Yes, for those who hadn't been keeping track, Tala and Noctua have gotten to be on each other's good sides. They just don't know if they can call each other friends yet.

But then, she looked at the NPC when he showed up out of no where. How these NPCs could do that was beyond her, and she kind of envied it in a way. But he talked about giving, and told Koga and Tala not to spoil the surprise. She looked at Koga with curiosity, just before she thought of the perfect thing that she could ask him for. It wasn't going to be for her, but for Koga. Of course, if she got her way she wasn't going to be able to give it to him until they were married, but that was okay.

"Um, would I be able to get a coat that is cursed but has two evasion and a regen?" She thought for a moment as that might be a bit too much and something that the NPC possibly wasn't going to be able to do, but she would wait and see. If he said no, well, then she would happily ask for something else. Perhaps some experience for herself to be able to stay caught up to Koga. But for now, that was the gift that she was hoping to be able to receive.

@Koga

She smiled lightly, "I wouldn't trade it either. Even back then, I wouldn't want to change it." Yeah, even during their..break up..she wouldn't have changed anything. Well, okay, she would have changed the break up so that it wouldn't have happened, but otherwise, she wouldn't have anything changed.

"Wait, hold on, I keep you sane? Then who is keeping me sane?" She's joking, maybe, possibly. Maybe not any more. They were stuck in a death game after all. Staying sane was hard to do. But she was managing, maybe. Was she? Judging by this mental conversation with herself, possibly not.

But, her laughing at him came with consequences soon enough. She even tried backing away from him, but that failed her as she bumped into a rock. The moment that he hugged her, she was covered in the goo and she shivered at the cold feeling. "Thanks love," she laughed with him before she wrapped her arms around him in a return hug. "But, no matter how much I would love to stay right here, hugging you even though you're covered in slime, I think we have a NPC to save still."

Darn quests always ruining the good moods.

@Koga

It was hard for her to even pretend to be mad at him, mainly because he always seemed to be sincere and made her laugh. But in this moment, he thought that he had actually upset her, and she could tell the moment that he wrapped his arms around her. She was 'trapped' and she knew it, but she leaned into him, "Of course I'm not mad at you Mas. But you know, you don't have to let go anyways." She smiled though and gave a small nod.

"Yes, but there are moments I wonder which one would come in handy the quickest. Especially since you seem to be so keen on shouting at some dragons." She laughed lightly for a moment. "Perhaps I'll work on my light armor first. Because at least then that way, it would be even harder for things to hit me." It was a thought really.

"Aw, but what if I like making you choose?" She stuck her tongue out at him playfully before she nodded. "Burritos sound good, though, if you want something different still, I think there was also this little French place too." Hey, if he wanted her opinion, then she was going to give it. But of course, that also depended on how he felt about it. Like she said, she wasn't picky. "But, we should probably start heading back, talk more about it on the walk too might help."

@Koga

If there was one thing that Noct didn't like to hear with 'I have a question for you' coming from Koga, it was 'promise not to try and kill me'. So, she looked over at him, unsure of how her face even looked with that question. This could lead to one of many things, and she didn't know where her mind was going with her. Just that things were going to be interesting today.

"You know my love, it's hard to not want to kill you when you start a conversation off like that." She sighed and shook her head, a smile slowly appearing, "But, let's hear this question of your's, you'd never know, I might agree." Noct honey, don't ever say that in real life okay. That could lead to bad things. But for now, she just started at Koga, and noticed that he was wearing his woven bracelet instead of his necklace. Oh boy, what are we about to do?

@Koga

She saw him wince as even he remembered that fight and she nodded, "I'm still sorry about that you know..." There had been moments though that she wondered if he would have been better off with her just leaving at that point, but not anymore. She was doing better, and she would probably kill the first chick who tried to swoop down and take him. Yeah, those doubts from before were definitely gone.

"How about, we tag team the big guys? I can't let you do all of the work you know. And I am somewhat helpful at times," she smiled lightly as she threw out her little compromise. Though watch him take one thing out of it, her still being unsure with her combat ability. But, even as the smaller nepents vanished, the large one came out of no where again.

She stepped back and let Koga deal with it, only to watch it explode and cover him in goo. Queue the stifling laughter from the woman. She even had a hand over her mouth to try not to show it, with a cough coming not long after from attempting to hold back the laugh. "I think you got something on you love." Noct, if he hugs you, that's on you.

@Koga

The confusion that was on her face, turned blank as she just stared at him. Careful Koga, the new Noct that is here now knows how to hide things. Like the fact that she really wanted to slap Koga upside his head in the current moment. Really bad, like, if going orange wasn't the result, she probably would have by this point. She was about to say something but she knew that it was a joke. No need to turn a joke into a fight Noct, not really the smartest of plans. So instead, she chose to ignore that little comment of his.

She shook her head though and sighed, "I should start leveling my first aid next shouldn't I?" She had a feeling that she was going to need it at this point, and well, he was going to be that reason for needing it if he was going to walk up to a dragon and shout at it. His mind changed to food then and it made her laugh, "I can go wherever your stomach wants us to go love. I'm not super picky, you should know this by now." Wasn't that the truth, she didn't entirely care where they went for food, as long as they both ate.

"So, my dear handsome husband, what sounds good to you?"

@Koga

Name: Snell
Your Profession: Artisan
Your Rank: 6
Roll ID: 133512
Roll Result: 13 (12+1)
Item Type: Jewel
Tier: 1
Quality: Perfect
Enhancements: Evasion // Evasion // Evasion
Description: A blue crystal sounded by a metal flame in bronze coloring.
Post Link: http://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/18382-f01-r6-blacksmith-r6-artisan-the-ring-and-sword/?do=findComment&comment=593472

So this was now two strange days for her. Yesterday, some white haired chick came in and started to flirt with her fiance. Not cool Lethia, not cool. But now, an unknown friend of Koga's came in. Apparently he knew how she fought? Confusion, but oh well. She looked at the request that she was given and she nodded lightly, "I should have it done here in a few moments if you don't mind waiting." She went over to her station and four crafts later, she had the jewel that the orange haired woman wanted. She smiled as she handed her the jewel, "Here you are."

End Combat:

She stared at him, dumbfounded, "How...have you never thought about that?" Even Noct has thought about it, but she just hasn't wanted to go and deal with Tala's possible still attitude.

She placed her head in her hand for a moment before she chuckled, "Don't always just leave the big ones to me, that can spell trouble remember." She had her own little flash back to when they both fought that alpha wolf during his profession quest. That was a horrible day right there.

But by the time that she had killed the large nepent, Koga had found four more tiny ones. Well, at least it wasn't a dull time for them. She watched as he went right to attacking them, only to miss one of them. She shook her head as she gripped the hilt of her rapier, the blade already turning violet as she dashed for the remaining nepent. She quickly slashed the nepent twice, turning it to fragments.

"Still not the big guy that we want." She shook her head as she looked at Koga.

@Koga

"Dovah?" Come on Koga, don't be making up words on her now, that's not fair. She smiled either way as she shook her head, "I think only you would be so happy and willing to murder baby dragons." She looked at him still though and soon enough placed her hand on his forehead. She had done this one before, to do the same exact thing as now. Did he have a fever? Nope, no fever. She removed her hand from his forehead and shook her head, "Honey, you can't shout in this game remember."

"We have gone over this already too." She wanted to be sure that he remembered this. Because there were no shouts in this game, and she really didn't need him getting eaten. She looked at him for a moment, before she laughed. "You're hungry but not wanting to say that you're hungry aren't you?" She was starting to know him all too well, "So, I say, we go back to town, get some food and start gathering intel on the next dragon."

@Koga

He didn't seem to say anything to her about not hitting the phoenix, that was nice at least. But there was one thing for sure, she sure did mess with the Fates, but at least they only seemed to punish her. She watched though as Koga finished the flaming bird off with his next attack and she sighed lightly as she sheathed her rapier. Whelp, hopefully that ends that curse. The thought was there, but she didn't know for sure.

She looked at Koga, her thoughts soon gone, as she smiled and nodded, "Dinner sounds good, love." She walked over to him as she kissed his cheek lightly. "Also, I think I figured out that I cursed myself today, at least it didn't hit you horribly." Now here was hoping that they didn't just trip over something on the way out of this. "So, what sounds good food wise? I'm up for anything as long as I get to keep my handsome company." Well, there ya go Noct, learning to slowly flirt with your man are you?

@Koga

She just stared at him when he mentioned the literal worse thing that could happen. She didn't say anything, just stared at him with the sort of face that said 'are you kidding me'. She thought for a moment though and she nodded, "Yeah, makes sense really. Who would want to get close enough to this thing if you're just an info broker. Best to not waste your life there." She had a point in her mind, but that was all disappearing when they found the dragon.

It was a baby, this was going to hurt her soul wasn't it? She sighed though and she watched the dragon whipped around to look at them, roaring practically in Koga's face. She tried not to laugh as he changed his statement from moments before. She grabbed her rapier, but Koga had beat her to the punch, and well, the hitting and basically everything. One hit from the man and the dragon was fragments.

But, at least they had the gem that they needed. She looked at Koga though and shook her head, chuckling. "And you thought you were going to need some shouts." Yeah, she brought that back as she caught the gem that Koga threw to her. She looked at it and sighed as she placed it in her inventory. Only thing that sucked was the fact that they were having to kill dragons, poor dragons.

@Koga

End Combat:

Okay, she managed to get the feeling of a migraine to go away, there was a dull pulse in the back of her mind telling her that she had a headache at least, but that was better than something that was literally going to impair her ability to see. She looked at Koga and she chuckled, "Perhaps your sister could help with that? I'm sure she could make some kind of music crystal for you." That was the truth wasn't it? The younger wolf sibling was a performer after all.

But watching Koga trying to describe the thing that was on the top of the nepent variant's head, was pretty funny. She covered her mouth as she laughed but waved him ahead quietly. If he was going to be able to make this fight faster by murdering them all at once, then so be it. And that was exactly what he had done too. Would ya look at that.

She watched as all four of the nepents died with a single attack and she shook her head and laughed lightly. "You know, I feel like I'm slacking by not having an AoE." She smiled though as she walked over to him and she looked around. Her eyes settled upon the nepent that they wanted though and she poked Koga gently before pointing to it.

She was soon headed to it, her rapier's blade glowing violet as she started to channel Neutron, once she was close enough, she thrusted her rapier's blade into the nepent variant before it knew what was happening. She watched it turn to fragments but she sighed, "No item. Time for more hunting I guess." This was going to take forever wasn't it.

@Koga