Katoka

Katoka kissed her soon to be wife softly. One hand holding Sam's face while the other slid it's way to rest on the small of her back. She felt her own tears that she was trying to hold back begin to fall and mix with Sam's, though hers were ones of happiness and longing. They had put off their wedding for far too long and at this point, Kat wasn't even sure why they had. When they both finally stopped kissing for a moment, the blonde had realized she had at some point crawled into Sam's lap. She looked up at her with big, wanting eyes, before she rested her head against her chest and let out a sigh.

"I've missed you." she said after a moment. Kat wrapped her arms around Sam's back and held her, listening to her heart with closed eyes. "We should get to sleep, if you stay up too late you'll be tired in the morning." she said not really meaning they should go to bed just yet, her arms tightened a bit more around her.

Kat couldn't help but laugh.

Freyd was right in a way. Being scared of dying but going out to fight an ice monster? Probably not the best idea, but she was determined to face her fears head on. As Freyd wrapped the large fur blanket around her, she gripped it like her light depended on it. The warmth it provided along with his kindness began to settle her anxiety, allonging her tears to slowly stop and her breathing to return to normal. The blonde listened to her friend as he consoled her, his words surrounding her like an extra layer of comfort.

"That's why I came out here. To fight again. To prove to myself that I'm not weak." She looked up at him with determined eyes, "I won't let it happen again."

She kicked the blanket off and stood up, "I'm warm you ass. Let's go make snow cones."

Katoka stood in front of Freyd for a moment before she hugged him, "And thank you for saying all that."

"What happened to you?"

Katoka flinched at that. Was she really that bad at hiding it? She must had been.

"It was... brutal Freyd. The rain wouldn't let up. It was a constant, unrelenting, disgustingly cold storm." she rubbed her arms again in an attempt to stave off a chill that wasn't there. "The black ichor that fell from the sky just kept rising and rising. We all made our way to high ground as bast we could. I ran into Elora along the way and kept her with me. I kept her safe for as long as I could."

She looked up at Freyd, her eyes filling with tears and guilt, "I did Freyd, I really tried to keep her safe." a soft sob escaped from her mouth and she took a shuddering breath, "We did our best to lead other players and NPCs in to the safety of the hills and mountains, but when they fell to whatever that shit was. They couldn't be pulled back out."

"After a point we managed to get on some horses after the creatures appeared. We fought a few of them off but, a lot of people were overwhelmed." she took another deep breath, "A bolt of lightening struck very close to the horse that Elora and I were riding. The--" she sobbed again, "the shock from it made Elora fall off and into the slime or whatever. I was nearly blind and deaf for a time before I noticed."

Kat set her drink down with a shaking hand, "By the time I got back I--I saw her hand sinking down into the earth and I couldn't get her back." the samurai sobbed, she tried to do it quietly so she didn't attract attention but it was difficult. "I pulled, and I dug, and I unleashed every sword art I could into the ground to dig her out. None of it worked." She once again looked back up into Freyd's eyes, "I couldn't save her. And it made me mad." she gritted her teeth and her eyes flashed with anger. "Anything that came my way I cut it down. I used arts that I never saw before. Before I knew it I was fighting back to back with Setsuna, we were the last two left. We gave them hell and we went down together."

She shivered again, "And it was so damn cold Freyd."

She was looking at her feet now, concerned at how much weakness she had shown him. Worried that he would be angry for not being able to save Elora, despite them all coming out alright in the end. It didn't hurt any less watching your best friend die.

"Don't focus too much on me, you won't be able to fight the boss if you're too distracted." she smiled and hugged Sam tightly. She laid down with her and held her close, "We can stay here as long as you need." Kat kissed her forehead softly and patted her head as she cried. She was worried, but she wanted Sam to feel at ease so that she could focus on the fight at hand. Katoka did something she hadn't done since she was back home comforting her little sister, she began to hum a song. Softly and calmly she hummed a tune that her mother had used to comfort her, and that she in turn used to calm her sister. She didn't know the name or where it was from, but she knew it was relaxing in it's own way.

After sever minutes she kissed the top of Sam's head again, "You ok love?"

Katoka was shocked at first. The thought of the front lines, the danger, the strength of the bosses, it scared her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, holding tight onto Sam's hand before responding. "Honey, I'm not mad if that's what you think. I'm... Scared. For you." she looked into her watery eyes and smiled softly, "It was going to happen eventually. I know how strong you are. It's selfish of me to want you to stay away."

Kat shifted herself on the bed so that she was cross legged and facing Sam batter, "Please, just promise me that you'll be safe. Because if something happens to you," she flicked her playfully between the eyes, "I'm gonna get mad at you." the blonde placed a hand on Sam's cheek and wiped away her tears as best she could. "I can't stay away from the front much longer either. One of these days I'm going to have to join you all and actually make some progress in this damn game."

Kat jumped at her companion's sudden appearance. She turned to see the ragged figure as he walked around and sat across from her, a smirk on his face. "On of these days Freyd." she mimed punching her fist into her empty hand, she was grinning the entire time.

"If it wasn't for Cardinal and this damn update we wouldn't have to repeat this quest for a damn skill." she fussed as she took another sip of her drink. "I appreciate you coming though, should be a breeze like last time."

Hiding a guilty face behind her mug she pretended to sip her drink again before she answered, "Sam and I have been a bit distracted. After she storm... I've felt the need to be a bit more prepared information wise about quests. Hell I've been trying to update the guild logs with any info I hear that's changed." The samurai set her mug down. "I guess after you almost die it messes with your head huh?"

She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. The samurai rubbed her arm nervously before shaking her head, this wasn't the time to let her nerves show. Looking now at the spread of food buffs in front of her she laughed truthfully, "Wow, you sure know how to treat a girl huh?"

Katoka began to eat, trying not to let her friend see the concern in her eyes.

-------

Updated Stats:

Katoka | HP: 680/680 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 26 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 6 | BLD: 48 | REC: 3

Katoka consumes:

Gugnir’s Shard (Untradeable/Unique/Reusable Consumable): Crème Brûlée Tray | ACC 2 | Feast (5/6) - takes 1 portion for herself
https://www.sao-rpg.com/topic/19579-freyds-evaluations/?do=findComment&comment=642553
Liquor of Light (Potion) | Damage 3 [178030-2]
Smores (Snack) | Evasion 2 [175577]

Katoka had spent most of the day inside Firm Anima's halls doing research, as she liked to do, on various quests. With things being so different since Cardinal updated things she was cross referencing and even updating a few of the logs the guild had. She realized that it was dark out and cursed under her breath, she was trying to be better about getting sleep but when she was focused she tended to loose track of time. After a few minutes of returning books and maps to their places she saved her notes in her hud and collected her things. The blonde waved and said her goodbyes to anyone she passed and sprinted home.

Upon arriving to her house she noticed Sam's shoes in the entryway. She looked about quizzically to the darkened rooms before removing her own shoes and hanging her back on a hook nearby. "Sam? Sweetie? Are you hear?" she called as she began to climb the stairs. The house was oddly quiet, if they weren't in a safe zone she would have equipped her sword immediately. She found her hand reflexively reaching for the absent weapon before shaking her head. "Sam?" she called again before entering the bedroom.

Seeing her soon to be wife curled in a ball on her bed sent pangs of guilt through her. If only she had been home sooner. "Sam, honey? What's wrong?" she sat on the bed next to her and placed an hand on her head, "Did the dragon fight not go well?"

Katoka | HP: 680/680 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 4 | BLD: 48 | REC: 3

Sitting inside the warm confines of the White Rabbit Tavern, Katoka took a sip of her coffee in the hopes that it would stave off the cold on the fourth floor. Looking irritated she once again opened her hud to check her messages. After learning that you could now receive an extra skill from a quest she had already done made her a bit annoyed. "Stupid Cardinal, making me have to come down here to this damn icebox of a level again." she pouted and took another sip of her drink. She had sent an invitation to Freyd again, might as well have him tag along like last time. They worked well together and despite them technically being the same level now, he was much stronger than her.

Knowing the starting location of the quest the samurai old her cowled friend to go ahead and meet her there, that way they could save a bit of time and just depart from the tavern and make their way towards the spawn area. Plus she wanted to have a warm drink beforehand in the hopes that it would help once they crunched their way into the frozen wilderness. The tavern itself was fairly full. Various players and NPC's milling about the interior with their drinks and food items. It was hot inside, almost to the point of being stifling if it hadn't been for the occasional gust of frigid air that blasted inside every time the door was opened.

Katoka would turn expectantly every time she heard the door open, and be disappointed at the lack of Freyd's figure in the doorway. "Where is he at? I swear he'll be late to his own funeral that man."

-----

Katoka | HP: 680/680 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 4 | BLD: 48 | REC: 3

Katoka smiled sadly, thinking about home. Elora bringing up the outside was not something everyone trapped inside the game did often. "It's fine, sometimes it's good to think about what you've left behind. I was in my final year of high school, I guess now I'm way past that point." She laughed and bumped her shoulder against Elora's. "I miss my family. My mom, my dad, my little sister. You remind me a lot of her actually." She felt a surge of emotion that she hadn't thought about in a long time. Katoka wrapped her arm around Elora's and rested her head on her shoulder; the comfort of her warmth, despite being digital, was what Katoka needed right now. Her voice was strained, but there was a tinge of happiness in it as she spoke, "My sister and I would help my mom in the garden out back. Picking weeds and watering the plants. She was the reason I got any sunlight at home. Otherwise I'd be holed up in my room playing games all night."

"A lot happened. It's ok to feel things. Hell, why do you thing I rushed over to check on you as soon as... As soon as I woke up? Respawned? Whatever this was. Regardless, shit matters. You matter, I matter. We all do." The small blonde squeezed the elven woman's arm on final time before she let go. "You don't have to feel ashamed for living in this place while our dumb bodies do whatever on the outside. Hell, it's ok to live a better life in here!" Kat gestured to the town they walked through. "Everyone here is alive. Everyone here is doing something. Working, eating, sleeping, finding love," she waggled her eyebrows, "and most of all. Living."

"I don't know much about your outside life, and you you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But remember that it's ok to have a life in here as well El." this was the first time she thought to call Elora by a nickname, but at this point she felt that they were close enough that she could.

Katoka chuckled and patted the little rock golem, "I'm glad he's alright. Hanami is back home, I passed her on the way out." She walked alongside Elora and just walked aimlessly through the city. "I don't know if going over to that spot right now would be the best idea, especially since we don't know what else is different. I do know of a good restaurant around here that has a decent variety on their menu." With a swipe of her hand, the samurai opened her game menu and located the map. She scrolled around until she found the spot and marked it with a pin.

"Well it's good to know that at least hasn't changed. Now, onward to the Frantic Ferret!" she motioned for the elven woman to follow as she turned on a side street towards a new location. "This place has really good food, and despite the lack of effects, good alcohol as well."

Kat took the sandwich from Sam and took a big bite. She closed her eyes so she could ponder the question she had asked. She already knew the answer, but she wanted to tease her love a bit before she answered. After she finished chewing she swallowed the food and turned to Sam, "Mmmm, yeah I think I'm ready."

The blonde grinned and playfully bumped her hip against the brunette, "Of course I'm ready dummy. But the real question is, are you ready to spend the rest of your life with a boring little blonde?" Leaning over she took a bite of Sam's sandwich before dropping her own on her plate and taking off, giggling madly as she ran from the kitchen into the living room. She was happy.

Happy to have found someone that made her feel this way. Happy that she can let her guard down around someone and really be herself. Really and truly happy.

And above all else, she was in love.

Katoka held Sam in her arms and placed her forehead against hers, closing her eyes for a while. She couldn't even remember what it was like to be without her. She didn't want to remember. Opening her eyes again she turned to see Lium was now gone. She smiled softly and almost felt a bit bad for him. She knew that he loved Sam, he could see it in his eyes. The pain of not being able to be with the one you love was easy to hide behind a mask, but it was also hard to hide from people that knew where to look. Kat knew that she'd see him again, and she had a feeling that they would fight for Sam's attention. The samurai had no intention of losing.

Standing up she gathered the various mugs and things from the table to bring inside, "Shall we get something for lunch then?"

Katoka watched Lium closely, she had dealt with people in her past that could lie like the best of them. She could usually tell if something was off, but Sam's friend seemed genuine. She smiled and took a sip of her tea so she could properly think of something to say. After a beat she responded, "I know she thinks very highly if you, so I wouldn't do anything to keep her away." Turning to Sam she continued, "You don't have to ask permission to have friends. You're not my property, I won't treat you like an object. We are partners in this together." Looking back to Lium she took another sip of her tea.

"Don't think I won't hesitate to kick you ass though if I need to." she smirked as she placed her mug back on the table before her. "All in all, it's truly a pleasure to finally meet you in person Lium."

Standing up Katoka brushed herself off despite not really being dirty, "Freyd hasn't messaged you yet?" she asked, though now that she saw the look on Elora's face after say that she regretted it. "I'm sure he has his reasons, you know how he is." she shrugged a bit in an attempt to lighten the mood, "The fact that he's showing up online means he's at least ok. Unless we need to go beat him up." she pressed her fist against Elora's arm playfully.

"For now let's just... Walk. Maybe find something to eat along the way? I'm stating to get a small bit of my appetite back." she held out her hand, "We don't have to do much if you don't want, even just enjoying each other's company is nice."

Katoka walked with her elven friend as they left the Hummingbird Inn together. Other players seemed to be walking about, confused and dazed. Some running to get to the teleport gate at the center of town, others wandering about attempting to find something or someone. It was reassuring that they weren't the only ones taking things similarly.

"Mopping up, you got it." Katoka called to Freyd as she flashed a grin.

The energy in the room seemed to thicken as the samurai assumed a different stance than before. The air hummed with electricity and the smell of ozone filled the dungeon, the hair on the kobold's head began to stand on end. Blinking out of sight, an after image of Katoka flashed briefly before her actual body appeared now standing next to the group. Her original opponent looked around confused before he jerked about violently as electricity jumped in and out of his body like a living serpant, fresh wounds becoming visible as it arched about. The energy then jumped to the Kobold Freyd had shoved at her where the monster quickly dropped to it's knees as it seized before them. Once it hit the floor and exploded into fractals Kat turned to her companions, "Who's up next?"

Loot Kobold #27: ID# 197529 | LD: 10 + 3 = 13 CD: 11

T4 Rare Armor/Shield [197529]
Additional Col (HP * 2)
2 Materials (+2 CD odd)
5208 col (HP[620]*8 - incl. +2 Additional, +5% Col Deposit)

Katoka's Loot Total:

T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196824a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196824b]
T4 Rare Armor/Shield [196825]
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196826a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196826b]
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196827a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196827b]
T4 Rare Armor/Shield [197529]
16 Materials
23,436 Col

Katoka was surprised by the new person that had entered her home, but she quickly composed herself and gave him a sweet smile as he sat down. As he introduced himself she arched a brow at his mention of having eyes for Sam. She did reach out and grip his hand to shake it, though she did it a bit more firmly than needed, "As long as your eyes and hands remain where they are then I don't think we'll have any issue Lium. It's a pleasure to meet you nonetheless. I'm Katoka, Sam's soon to be wife."

She let go of his hand and turned back to Sam, "And I'm not mad at you love, just send me a message to give me a bit more warning next time." She stood up and kissed her on the cheek before pouring a cup of tea for Lium and topping off her cup. "Can I get you anything Lium? I have a few snacks and if you're really hungry I'm sure I can find something to throw together for lunch."

Katoka sat, sipping on a cup of tea that had gone lukewarm long ago while reading a book she had picked up recently. She hadn't had a whole lot of time to really dive into it like she had wanted, what with the wedding planning, game devastating storm of shadows, and the build up of dishes in her sink. Thankfully she had tackled the one that she despised the most that morning and was treating herself to a much needed rest for the time being. The breeze was cool and the day was just the right temperature to really enjoy the outside without getting too hot or cold. The blonde turned the page and drained the last of her cup before she heard the front door open, setting the book down she smiled as she heard Sam's voice call to her.

"I'm out here love, come join me on the back porch." she quickly looked to the teapot setting on the table and to her single mug, "I have some tea as well, but if you don't want to share a mug I suggest grabbing one from the kitchen on your way out."

Katoka | HP: 680/680 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 78 | EVA: 1 | ACC: 3 | BLD: 48 | REC: 3

Katoka felt her cheeks flush as Simmone's comment. The way she clacked past in her heels made her slightly flustered for some reason, maybe it was because she seemed like a runway model or movie star. The way she fought seemed almost like she was dancing through the battlefield, the enemies moving at her tempo and never he other way around. She dispatched the enemies that the small blonde had set up for her, their shattering fractals glittering around them all. Kat was surprised that one had even choked on what seemed to be some sort of poison.

Meeting Eruda's eyes she once again turned a shade of red at her asking for the wedding date, "I- uh- I'm not sure yet. We're still taking things as they are, especially after the storm." Following the group the samurai watched her fellow party member strike out at the new batch of enemies. Setting a few ablaze with her strike and then holding the rest of their attention as she called out for them to be finished off. Taking the opportunity to get drops of her own, she dashed forward into the middle of the group, drawing her katana in a whirling strike that cut them all clean through at the waist. As their tops separated from their bottoms before exploding into more shards of data, Katoka returned her sword to it's home. She nodded to Eruda, "It must be hard being a tank. You definitely do great work."

Loot Kobold #14: ID# 196824 | LD: 16 + 3 = 19 CD: 5

T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196824a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196824b]
2 materials (+2 CD odd)
5208 col (HP[620]*8 - incl. +2 LD even, +5% Col Deposit)

Loot Kobold #15: ID# 196825 | LD: 11 + 3 = 14 CD: 11

T4 Rare Armor/Shield [196825]
Additional Col (HP * 2)
4 materials (+2 LD odd +2 CD odd)
5208 col (HP[620]*8 - incl. +2 Additional, +5% Col Deposit)

Loot Kobold #16: ID# 196826 | LD: 17 + 3 = 20 CD: 5

T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196826a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196826b]
4 materials (+2 LD odd +2 CD odd)
3906 col (HP[620]*6 - incl. +5% Col Deposit)

Loot Kobold #17: ID# 196827 | LD: 17 + 3 = 20 CD: 7

T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196827a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196827b]
4 materials (+2 LD odd +2 CD odd)
3906 col (HP[620]*6 - incl. +5% Col Deposit)

Katoka's Loot Total:

T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196824a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196824b]
T4 Rare Armor/Shield [196825]
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196826a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196826b]
T4 Perfect Armor/Shield [196827a]
T4 Perfect Trinket [196827b]
14 Materials
18,228 Col

Katoka nodded at Freyd's advice. Even though they were the same level now, she still knew he was her senior in terms of combat. Even now he was stronger, wiping out all of the enemies surrounding him in a single move. She a fire ignite inside her, one of the desire to gain power. She wanted to fight and to win. This dungeon would be her means to do so. The drops from these mobs would be exactly what she needed to increase her stats.

As the group rounded the corner into a new corridor Kat spotted four new enemies. With her sword in it's saya she took two bounding steps before she crouched down, blue bolts of electricity arcing from her body as she did so. "Rend." she muttered before she flashed forward, four flashed of light followed each by cacophonous booms sounding off the dank stone sounding them. The kobolds all had been dealt fairly devastating blows, but they still managed to remain on their feet. One held the wound on it's chest as the pixilated glowing blood dripped form it's chest.

"Damn, I still a ways to go." she cursed looking back at the enemies that still stood.

Katoka didn't know whether she should be embarrassed or intimidated by Simmone's words. Her cheeks flushed as embarrassment seemed to win, causing her to laugh awkwardly and fidget in her new coat. Watching as Freyd smirked ever so slightly, she felt his mood shift as he settled into his battle ready mood. Drawing her sword the samurai followed suit and watched as her friend seemed to meld into the shadows and reappear like stepping into a fog.

Kat charged up her sword art as she charged in after the Kobold that had ducked out of Freyd's way. She slashed upward at him, from waist to shoulder, leaving a glowing red wound on him. She was displeased that she didn't kill him in one hit, but she remembered that the mobs down here were tougher than most things she had previously fought. She grinned as the thrill of the fight ran through her, "Let's tango big guy."

Katoka accepted the coat from Freyd and equipped it, she looked at it and raised a brow before turning back to her friend, "I appreciate it, though now I look like an anime protagonist. Maybe that's a good thing." She laughed and playfully jabbed him in the arm. Turning to the others she placed a hand on her sword, "I'm Katoka, we don't know each other well but I think we've at least seen one another in passing at some point. I hope we can get along well and collect some good gear today!"

Trying not to seem nervous she opened her inventory once more to double check her dear and equipped items. This was Kat's first real dungeon, and it was supposed to be a doozy of one at that. She knew that Freyd had her back since they had been on several adventures together, the other two she wasn't as familiar with. She wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, but her anxiety was fairing up regardless.

---

Katoka equips [Black Zephyr’s Zeal (T3 Perfect Trinket: ACC 2, REC 1)]

Katoka | HP: 680/680 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 29 | MIT: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 7 | LD: 3 | BLD: 48 | REC: 3

"I fought because I was furious. I was angry at myself for not being strong enough to help you and for this damn game for doing that to us." Katoka released Elora and placed her hands on her cheeks, smooshing them together to make her lips stick out in a funny way. "We're fine now. We survived whatever this was. Reset, or purge, or whatever it was the system did. Now let's just. Be happy for a bit ok?" She let her face go and scooted next to the elven woman, placing her back against the bed. There arms were lightly touching, just enough for the other to know they were both there without having to look. Katoka closed her eyes and let out a sigh, "I'm sorry you had to go though that alone. Let alone at all. We all came here to escape from the real world and ended up getting trapped in this hell."

She looked over to her and swiped open her game menu, "But do you feel it? Like we're a bit stronger?" Looking back to her menu she navigated to her stats, the numbers were different before. Her overall level was lower but she definitely felt a difference. "I checked my friends list, everyone seems to still be alive. Have you gotten anything from Freyd yet?"

Katoka had heard about the Black Iron Dungeon, it's depths seemingly endless and it's inhabitants stronger than anything seen on the first floor. As she descended the steps she felt her skin crawl, she rubbed her arms in an attempt to stave off the feeling with no success. She wished Freyd would have at least met her at the entrance to escort her to the meeting area, maybe she wouldn't feel as creeped out. Checking her inventory once last time, something that had become habit when she was anxious, the samurai completely entered the dungeon.

***

Reaching B4 had taken time, but Kat managed to cut her way fairly easily through most of the enemies, and avoided ones when she needed to in order to make a speedy descent. Entering the safe area she saw the familiar cowl of her friend, as well as a woman she wasn't as familiar with. Straightening her back and placing her hand on her weapon in order to feign confidence, the small blonde approached the two.

"You couldn't have at least met me at the top? I've never been down here in this dank death hole." Katoka said she she crossed her arms and glowered at Freyd. Turning to the other woman she smiled and bowed slightly, "Hello, I'm Katoka. It's nice to meet you."

Katoka | HP: 680/680 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 29 | MIT: 18 | EVA: 3 | ACC: 5 | LD: 3 | BLD: 48

--------------

Consumed

Trigging Playtest Skills: ST Specialist, Ferocity, Precision, Finesse, Focus

Stats

"I fought," she managed to choke out through the sobs, "I got so angry. I fought and I killed and the rage that filled me was terrifying. But when I lost you I couldn't stop." She pulled back so that she could get a better look at Elora. There wasn't a mark on her. No scratches, no dirt, she wasn't wet from the rain like she had last seen her. "In the end I was fighting back to back with Setsuna from the guild, we... We went down together." Kat felt a shiver run up her spine.

Taking Elora's face in both of her hands and gave her a tear filled smile, "We don't have to figure out what we want right now. Let's just, take things one step at a time ok?" Katoka placed her forehead against Elora's and let out a laugh that sounded more like a sob, "I'm so happy you're ok. I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough." She felt the rage that she used that night bubble briefly inside her before she let out a deep sigh to calm herself. "I'll never let it happen again..."

Kat let out a soft sigh as Sam kissed her neck while holding her from behind, she was right about their time table. If was difficult for either of them to spend much more than the short time at the beginning and end of their days together, sometimes it was less than that. The blonde picked up the dishes that her lover washed and began to rinse them off before placing them gingerly into the drying rack nearby before she spoke.

"I think that right now things are a bit hectic for everyone. Once things settle down I'm sure it will be much easier for use to find time to do tons more together. I would also love to meet your friends and for you to meet mine, though I really only have two other than you." She stood on the tips of her toes to kiss her on the cheek before taking a plate to rinse off. "Couples in the real world have the same problems too. Sometimes they get busy with work and don't get as much time together, but they make the time when they can. Just remember Sam, I love you and I wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else."