Ruler

Ruler was watching towards the shore. She was ready to get off this boat, even if they'd only spent about ten minutes on the water. She didn't really have a fear of boats or anything, but that didn't meant that she really enjoyed floating around on the water like this.

Katoka's question did raise a good point, but there was one thing that she was forgetting to think about. "Even if it is a salt water fish, this is a video game. If they want to put a salt water fish in fresh water, they could do so without question really. Or they could make an in-game reason to explain why the fish would be able to breath in different waters. Doesn't really matter in a digital world is all I'm trying to get at."

The pier was getting closer slowly, and Ruler wasn't as talkative as she normally was. She just wanted to get off the boat for now.

Katsumi's question went over her head. It wasn't important to worry about her condition right now since she still had about 80% of her health points. It wouldn't be able to out damage her if it tried. It made another loop around the boat again, swimming quickly through the water. Ruler's keen eyes located the beast, stabbing directly into the water where it's dorsal fin peeked from the water. The body of the fish writhed for a moment and then limped. Alicia pulled it free from the water and tossed it into the boat, dead as a door nail.

"There we go." She said, taking her seat back in the vessel before it tipped over and capsized. "That was a little rougher than normal, but we got through it. My health come back shortly, so don't worry about me." The fisher man proceeded to take them back to the shore.

[1]Ruler | HP: 128/160 | EN: 9/16 | DMG: 7 | MIT: 18 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 1
[0]Katoka | HP: 160/160 | EN: 14/16 | DMG: 4 | MIT: 9 | ACC: 1 | EVA: 0 

Swordfish | 7/35 | DMG: 50/5

The majestic fish launched into the air, exploding the water of the lake into the air and raining on the group. Even when the shower of water sprayed her, she stood to her feet and readied her Flag of War. The fish was faster, piercing directly into her chest. That, however, made it rather easy to get her own attack off. She angled her lance and stabbed it through the fish's side. With a heave, she pulled it loose of her body and groan escaped her mouth.

"B-Bastard.." She whispered and chucked the giant fish back into the water. Another spash made waves big enough to rock the boat. The shadow of the fish could be seen circling the boat. Ruler's eyes were locked on it tightly. "Be careful Katoka, it hit's much harder than I expected it to." Ruler gave a nod to her damage partner, even though she should be the one who is focused since her hate is higher.

[1]Ruler | HP: 128/160 -(50-18) | EN: 16/16 | DMG: 7 | MIT: 18 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 1
[0]Katoka |

Swordfish | 7/35 -(7*4) | DMG: 50/5

Ruler nearly fell to the ground as she was drug around by Katoka. She was going to have to start getting pulled around in heels like this or else she would be tasting dirt for sure. Katsumi seemed to be taking the lead on this one, talking with the fisherman right away. He asked them to join him on a boat ride. Boat rides weren't really the most pleasant thing that Alicia could think of, but in a wave-less lake, there wasn't much room to complain.

"Of course we can join you. If you need any help, you be sure to let us know." Ruler says as she takes a step into the boat. Her heels made it difficult to stand in the boat, and it's shallow floor hardly allowed for her long legs to sit peacefully. She took a moment to help Katoka into the boat and the three of them would be on their way.

The moment that the shark had burst from the from the sand without warning Ruler whipped around and took a swing at it. If she was faster she may have hit it at the same time as Freyd, but it looks like he was more than capable of serving it back to the Cardinal with a single fatal blow. The intention of the enemy was to got for who was likely the weakest link of them all, Katoka. She was glad to see that no one was harmed, at least.

Vie made some comments about herself not being capable of protecting her, when she didn't even get hurt. Seemed a bit counter-intuitive. Alicia walked over and placed her hand on Vie's shoulder, smiling at both of them. "Vie, you should not blame yourself for something that you cannot control. Freyd offered us to come because her knew it could be dangerous and he did exactly what he promised: To protect us. Everything went smoothly, if a little surprising, but I would say that is a pretty good success. If we keep practicing, we'll all be able to do that same stuff that Freyd can. Just give it some time."

Ruler took a glance at Katoka and smiled to her as well. Her health bar was untouched, but it still felt natural to ask her. "Are you alright?"

Ruler was quiet while Katoka went through her skills, seeming to plan out her build. She didn't want to bother her, but sooner or later, the girl would close her menu, whip around and ask her about her own build. She was sure on what she would be doing already.

"My build is going to be something called a bruiser. My specialty will be tanking damage while dishing it out. You should focus on dealing damage too, but maybe invest in some support style skills so that you can help keep me alive while we fight. Doesn't that sound great?" She asked with a light smile beaming to the girl. It had only been a single day so far and she was really starting to get attached to this woman.

"This is just our start, Katsumi-san. Just keep leveling up your weapon for now and I'll worry about taking the damage for you okay?" Ruler said as they came into view with the lake in question.

Another trip up to floor 22. It always worried her to move higher up on the floors since it meant that they were in more danger. Even so, there was an event happening on the higher floors that she wouldn't miss out on. She wasn't well versed in Japanese culture, but Tanabata seemed like a really fun holiday and so long as she was stuck in this game, she would try to learn a little more about it.

She walked into the festival grounds, looking around the booths lined up next to each other serving food and offering some fun games to play. There was also something that they were supposed to do with papers and wishes. Maybe she could find someone to do them with.

That was when she realized she was looking straight at a familiar face: Katoka. A smile formed on her lips. She wondered what she would think of her in a kimono. Adjusting herself, she walked over to her damage duo and waved. "Katoka-san! I did not know that you would be coming to the festival! Would you care to teach me a little about Tanabata? I'm not very familiar with it."

@Katoka

A smile formed over the maidens lips as Katoka slashed her target straight in half without any problems. She was glad that she was really starting to get the hang of fighting. When everything settled down, Ruler returned her weapon to the holster on her back.

"You're doing so good Katsumi-san." She raised her hand and clapped it against her damage duo partners. "Keep practicing and you'll cut down everything in your way for sure. I will continue to ensure that nothing harms you." The two of them collected their jewels and made their way back to the quest giver. Hannah was waiting in the same spot.

"Oh, you guys made it back! Thank you so much for doing that for me. If I could ask for one more favor though, a friend of mine needs to borrow something from me. Could you take him this fishing pole?" She asked, transferring the items to their inventory.

Ruler's heels clicked against the cave floor as she walked over to her lodged weapon in the ceiling. Thanks to her height, she was able to reach to the roof and grab her weapon free of it's lodged position with a short hop. A heave and a huff and the spear was free. Ruler scooped up her gem the only one that was really usable, unfortunately. They would have to find another.

Then Katoka had to go an point out more embarrassing things like that. She hadn't meant to completely obliterate the enemy the way she did. "Was it not clear that was trying to encourage it?" She asked, a blush still formed on her face.

When the girl got caught up in a fight with another one of the guardians, she panicked a little. "K-Katsumi-san!" The blonde rushed in with speed and grace and slammed her spear into the creature's leg without activating a sword art. She wanted to help, but not be too protective of her.

Katoka | HP: 120/120 | EN: 10/12 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 9
Ruler | HP: 120/120 | EN: 11/12 | DMG: 6 | ACC: 3

Cave Guardian: 2/20 -(6) | 5 DMG

The picking up of the wind meant even more loose sand was finding its way into Alicia's eyes. Of all the things that it had to be, it was a sandstorm. The floor couldn't have been a tropical jungle or a nice warm sunny beach? Well, whatever they had to deal with, she would be ready for it. She wasn't so nervous as the other girls in their group were. Being on higher floors was scary, but she always maintained a stony gaze to threat like this. It was just the natural response. Clear minds make good calls.

Following behind the group, she watched the rear, ensuring that nothing caught the other two women in their party off guard. She wouldn't even need to act on something coming at them if she saw it ahead of time Freyd would surely whip around and murder it instantly if she called it out. While she was not the best with making light conversation, she was sure that it would help take the worry off the minds off the lower players of the group if someone talked about something less pressing.

"How did you all come to join Firm Anima?" Ruler asked, turning back around to face them while she spoke. "I was a solo player until I realized that it would probably be less stressful and more fun to join a band of players who also want to get stronger."

"And for that exact reason, I must worry. If you want to get stronger, you'll need help. Even I need help. If I didn't think I would need the help, I would have continued as a solo player and never joined Firm Anima. Then we would not be here right now." Alicia said without taking her eyes off the forward approach. She was smiling however. "Now, stop being so mopey. I like it more when you smile."

That tender moment was ruined when a golem of stone, the Guardian appeared before them. It fell out of the wall, as though it was part of the stone itself, and looked to them. Alicia stepped forward. "I will protect you! Fight with me!"

Alica charged in with her golden glowing spear, its radiant glory filling the cavern with light. In a moment, she heaved the mighty weapon launched the pole arm like a javelin. It pierced the creature's skull, exploding it's brain into chunks. Her weapon lodged into the ceiling, knocking several gems loose from inside the rock. "Um...whoopsie." Ruler blushed.

Cave Guardian is just dead and acquires her jewel.

Ruler's focus was keen and stoned. That had always been a trait with her: She wasn't scared of most anything. Yet even so she broke down in front of Katoka earlier. Keeping ones composure was something you learned, and after having lost her good friends to a poor death, she was more hardened than ever. Of course, she wasn't going to tell Katsumi that.

"I keep myself together because I have to. It's not a question of can or can't to me." Ruler says kind of plainly, as if keeping her composure was second nature at this point. She let out a quiet sigh. "Are you scared? Don't be. I am here and I will not let anything touch you."

Her words were just bravado at this point, but as she progressed, she would collect the skills necessary to protect Alicia. She had begun with the intention of being a supportive type of player, yet now the circumstances had changed.

"They should be rather close to the surface, yet you may have to fight off whatever beings live in the cave. You both look like capable adventurer types, am I wrong? I wouldn't ask something like this of you two if I thought you couldn't handle it. You can handle it right?" She asked with newfound concern. Ruler quickly raised her hand to the woman in assurance.

"No worries, miss. We are more than capable of handling anything the fields has to offer. Katoka-chan only wanted to get some extra information for anything that might await us." She replied to her, giving a small smile.

"I see, well it shouldn't be harder than anything you guys have already come across. I promise you that it won't be dangerous." The painter pressed, with a smile back at Alicia.

"We will leave immediately then and return with the spoils." Ruler turned on her heel and ushered her emerald clad ally in the direction of the cave in question.

"Apology accepted. I enjoy your company, Katsumi. Let's keep going as a duo, and maybe soon, we'll see each other as partners." Ruler gave the girl a warm smile as she approached Hannah.

"Good afternoon miss. We have brought you a package from Lyle the Blacksmith. He said you've been waiting for such delivery." Alicia said, transfer bother her own and Katoka's items to her.

"Oh great! I've been waiting on these for awhile. Yet even still, what I have won't finish the project... Would you two be willing to help me collect something? There is a cave not far from here that houses some pretty gems, they make good for rings to an artisan. If you bring me one back, I'll give you both something nice."

Ruler turned to Katoka again and grinned. "Well, looks like we have more to do then. We had better get to it, don't you think?"

Ruler exchanged her pleasantry with Katoka by bowing back to her slightly. Alicia was from the States, but she knew enough about Japanese culture to know that it was disrespectful to not return a bow. "The pleasure is mine."

Freyd, explained their mission. This would be the real first time that she had fought something more than just respawning monsters. An actual boss monster would be a lot more dangerous the best she could do was simply agree to his terms and be ready to fight if it was necessary. She removed the pole arm from her back, wrapped in the long cloth of its banner. One could never be too safe.

"I will ensure that nothing ambushes us from behind while we make our way there." Ruler nods in return to Freyd after he is done speaking. She was ready to head out and get this quest finished posthaste.

"I definitely cannot say that I dislike you, Katusmi. You're a very cute woman, and I honestly have a little trouble holding in my joy of questing with you. However, I hope that you'll understand that even if I like the idea of being your significant other, that I would love it even more to get to know you better before I make that move. Getting close to someone should not solely be placed in your feelings. Time and commitment is also important. I hope that you understand that." Ruler said with a happy smile as they approached the quest giver.

Their talk with her was relatively short. Just like Alicia had assumed, it was another fetch and return quest.  You think that after two or three repetitive quests, they would shake up the system a little make a player not feel so bored. Needless to say, if she wasn't kept company by Katoka, she would surely be bored out out of her mind right now.

"Wh-What are you-?!" Ruler stuttered as Katoka yelled out a confession. She said that way too naturally for it to have been a joke. No she was serious about what she had just said, even if she tried to deflect it as though she had just worded what she wanted badly. "K-Katumi-san? D-Do you like women?"

Ruler asked this quietly. What an invasive question to ask someone, but she had just said something like that, she could not resist her manners being broken to ask such a thing. "I-I am fond of the same sex, even if my parents think it something that I should rectify. They always pushed me to talk with boys so that they could have grandchildren one day, but honestly, I just can't find myself being with a man. I've had a ton of male friends, but they never really gave me the feelings of attraction that I feel from another girl."

Ruler was silent for a moment while she thought about it. The scene was already fresh on her mind in this moment, but she didn't really wanna bring it up and upset Katoka. Granted, she should have figured that it would weigh hard on her mind.

"It isn't your fault that I am carrying some emotional baggage. It is just something that I need to work on myself to become a better person, Hardship strengthens the soul." She smiled warmly, placing her hand on Katsumi's shoulder to help relieve her of the feelings. "I will work on my flaws so that I do not force you to have yell at me again. I am at least glad that you could stand me in that state. I don't think it was my best appearance." She mentioned, think about her curling in a ball like she did. She had always been a rather composed person, but when you're talking about death, anyone could break down easily.

Katoka was quiet for most of the way there. It was obvious that something was on her mind while the duo walked. She wondered if it had something to do with the situation that they had just a while ago. It was still in the back of her mind as well, but she didn't want Katoka to feel like she had ruined Ruler's day.

"If it's anything like our last few quests, we'll deliver this package that we have here and she will probably ask us to do something, then lead us into the next quest that we have to do until the quest line is finished. That's usually how these first level quests go, since they're only really meant to teach players how to play the game. The designers don't have to put much effort into the creation of quests if they don't do that much. Makes them very forgettable." The talking helped get Ruler's mind off of things. She was glad for it.

Alicia looked Katoka up and down. The armor didn't seem as protective as she own, but at least she had something to soften blows. Ruler gave her a soft smile and a nod. "It looks good on you, and it should help protect you against attacks. When I get my own profession, I can make you a new weapon and hopefully some other useful gear."

She smiled as Katsumi took a moment to show off what she would look like with her new build. "I also jumped up a few levels. The next boss should be pretty easy for us to take on. We can fight this one together and take him down quick. With our combined damage, I doubt it'll last long."

Ruler began to lead the way to the painter's location. They were actually out in the field, so the two of them would have to find her out there. Not like they weren't ready for it or anything.

Ruler stepped off Fortaleza's not-so-grand teleportation terminal and eyed her party right off the back. The different colors plus the party tracker made them easy to spot out in the crowd, even if it was a wasteland of sand on this floor. She approached the group, finding it slightly difficult to walk in the heels of her armor through sand. With a wave, she greeted the group, towering over the other females she was partying with and nearly standing taller than Freyd thanks to her boots.

"Good day to you all. As I introduced myself at the guild hall, you may call me Ruler." She looks around the group for a moment trying to remember names. Her eyes tracked to each person as she said their names. "Vie, Freyd, and Katoka. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I apologize if my original introduction was sheepish. I was rather nervous heading up to floor 22 to meet people I didn't know at all."

Ruler waved down the smaller girl with a smile as she returned to her side. It was good to see her getting used to thing now. She did the rest of this quest no problem after she had a little bit of rest and calmed down enough to focus. She would make a great player to be with when making her way to the front lines, and even though she herself had intended to be a support, she could start off by being a tank for this girl. She had a good build idea for such a thing that didn't require her to sacrifice what she was doing now.

"That was a great effort." Ruler gave the a girl a soft smile. "We can move on to the next quest now. May I have my items back now?" She asked taking the armor and the flag back from Katoka and putting them back in her own inventory. "I heard these last two quests are much easier, so I'll tank for you and make sure that you don't get hurt while fighting. How does that sound?" She asked as the returned the horns to Lyle. Next they would have to meet with Hannah.

Ruler smiled quietly as she watched. She wouldn’t interfere this time. Instead, Katoka could learn about protecting herself, and Ruler could quietly breath a bit while she tried to collect herself a few meters away from the battlefield.

Katsumi rushed into battle again, slicing a target straight in half with ease. She had the ability to become a great damager, but she might need help. It made her glad that when Katsumi started out, she looked for a guild, and Ruler was lucky enough to have joined the same one at the same time.

Fate was trying to tell her something important. Whether or not these feelings for this person go further, she wants to be there to help her fight. She wants to aid Katoka to becoming a stronger fighter and she will.

Ruler took a few deep breaths as she made an attempt to calm herself. Katoka was doing her best now to console her now that she was losing it and she was telling her just awhile ago that she would protect her. Worthless excuse for a body guard if she would say so herself.

Finally, she stoped shaking and her heavy breathing calmed enough to get words out. She looked over to katsumi, still not a tear in her eye, tried to smile. This conversation was getting out of hand ”You’re so sweet, Katusmi-san. I apologize for losing my cool in front of you. I-I don’t know what came over me. If you don’t mind, can we maybe save this conversation for after we’re done here in the fields? Its not that its bothering me, but I’d rather not just sit around here emotionally broken up when there are enemies all around us. Let’s get you the rest of these tusks, okay?”

Ruler stood from her seat and offered Katsumi a hand to stand up. A warm smile was back on her face.

“No! I-I’m sorry! I want to be friends, I want to get to know you better Katsumi.” Ruler huddled into her seat, only replaying the awful scene of her friends just simply vanishing in front of her. Only to find out later that he friends had been killed by the system. That they never had a chance to live. Then her mind played the thought of Katoka falling over dead.

Needless to say, she screamed.

Her shaking became violent now. She mumbled a little to herself. “I can’t see another person die. Please I don’t want to watch it again... I-I...” Ruler didn’t know what she wanted right now. Nothing she could do could calm herself from this. If they were to get attacked right now, it would be clear that she might not be able to react very quickly.

”What if... Wh-What if...”