Nari-Lanreth

Nari smiled as the boy seemed to muster up the courage to admit to the faults that they all felt - that fear of death, that came with this game. A game, sure, but one that had a finality - and not just for the avatar that was their body and soul since entering this place. She could understand that fear all too well, far more than she would enjoy to admit. "Worry? I worry about another name being struck into that Monument...about more people being lost to this game. Ever name on their is a loss...a fault on our own parts." Her smile seemed to counter the sadness behind the words - as if sh

The return question answered Nari's concern. The player was definitely new to being outside of their shell - whatever that shell came in the form of. Clearly, they had relied upon their group around this area in order to remain protected throughout all this time - something that Nari could commend. It took a lot not to jump feet first, to try and rush your way into the frontlines immediately. She knew a lot of people who had been lost that way. "Yeah...I've joined the frontlines recently." Her voice was hesitant, refusing to let any sort of emotion through. Once, she would've been proud t

Nari stepped aside as a white haired player hustled past, the boy appearing to be in a rush. She barely caught the words that he had uttered under his breath as he went by, his voice sounding somehow eager and scared at the same time - a sensation that Nari had begun to call the beginner's chill. That sound that newly integrated players, those who had begun their journey in earnest, all seemed to have - like a child seeing the entire world for the first time. She didn't believe it showed weakness in any way, in fact she found that it was likely an awareness and strength in many means. Mo

Nari squinted against the bright sunlight of the first floor, mumbling to herself in a manner that bespoke someone who had not come to terms with the early morning light. For the briefest of seconds, she had considered not coming here at all - she'd barely had any sleep, spending a large portion of her night travelling the twenty-seventh in something that she had later learnt didn't exist. "That is the last time I waste good col on info brokers outside of the hub..." She had been tempted to hunt the broker down, before realising it wasn't worth labelling herself as an Orange player just

Nari found herself giggling at the thought of someone being frozen to the throne, enjoying the peaceful moment. The image in her mind was likely far different from Jomei's own, perhaps even his intent, but nonetheless Nari found herself overly amused by the idea. A nice break from the cruelty they had encountered not that long ago, in the town below the castle itself. She hoped to one day have that scene erased from her mind, but she doubted that it ever would be. "Snow...looks like this place lives up to its calling, after all..." She trudged through the depths of snow towards the centr

Nari nodded at Hirru's request, turning to face the other creature. Already they'd managed to tear into the defences of the two, breaking them down ever so slightly without taking much in retaliation - a sign that things were going well, indeed. Nari wasn't foolish enough to assume that it would continue this way forever, though. She knew that they would need to continue to press their advantage, and she knew that would mean trusting those she was with. "One shatter coming up..." She muttered in response as she brought her scythe up and around, preparing to begin her assault against the

Nari was about to comment on NIGHT's optimism, to remind the other player that there was no way they were that lucky, when a voice spoke overtop of her. It seemed to rumble ever so slightly, and it took Nari a few moments to realise that it was coming from the form that had appeared from the shadows. The pearl coloured dragon spoke about the parents - the remains belonging to its father - and how the dragon's mother had left after becoming angered. Nari couldn't resist shooting a look towards NIGHT, her own expression one of reserved patience, but a clear indication that she thought the e

She could tell that there was something that NIGHT had wanted to say, a comment on the tip of her tongue - something that the girl had bitten back and kept herself from uttering. Before, Nari might have pushed for it, to hear what the other had to say. Those days were gone, however, and instead Nari turned her attention back to the area they had been passing through - noticing after NIGHT pointed it out, that they had arrived at a rather large cave. She gave her friend a single glance, before leading the two into its depths. The darkness quickly surrounded them, before being pierced by a

The girl had promised to let her know if there would be any assistance required, meaning that Nari need not do anything at this point. She watched as the two continued to dance around one another, continued to try and pummel and slash one another. The constant dance of conflict, that had become the life of Aincrad, their lives. Fae managed to land a blow, cutting the creature's health down ever so slightly - a small shimmer crossing its body in response as it seemed to brace itself afterwards. Something about it seemed...different, although Nari couldn't pin her finger on it immediately.

Nari shifted on her feet at the sudden question. She'd expected it, of course. There was no way that NIGHT wouldn't notice the change in her familiar - the obvious differences in the two that were as plain as day. She glanced down at Mio, a sad look crossing her face for a brief second as she considered her response. "Yuki...moved on." The words were simple, not giving much of an explanation, but noting that it was not a topic that Nari wanted to discuss. She still felt a bitter pain at the thought of her old friend, one which hadn't left her yet. One that she wasn't sure would leave her

"Floor Twenty-one. Definitely very...cosy..." She glanced around at the darkness pierced by the dim-lit lights and lanterns, the luminous mosses and glowing fungi that brightened the areas directly around it. Not that it made the ever pressing darkness any less overpowering. "Reminds me of floor ten...and every underground tunnel I've ever been on..." The kitsune followed alongside Nari, yipping in response to her commentary. The nine tails flowed behind it, an almost hypnotic pattern that Nari had come to enjoy watching in her free time. The light flowed across the kitsune in a way that

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"Alright! I'm feeling it today Mio, really...I think it's going to be a good day!" Nari smiled as the two strode into the recording studio once more, the sunlight filtering in ever so slightly shining on the two of them. The day had been going well thus far, and Nari hoped that it continued towards their work now.

Nari glanced down at Mio before shrugging in response. Her words were casual, no hint of malice or negativity to them. "I mean...you can try. He doesn't usually take well to strangers, though. So don't blame me if he nips you. He's...a bit protective, as he should be." She turned towards the main gates, before heading off in their direction - making sure to wave to Merv as they passed the ever vigilant gate guard. As they walked, she began asking questions casually, trying to get a gauge on the other player. "So, have you been out of the Town of Beginnings much? I know some people found t

Her head tilted slightly to the left, her eyes following the movements of the other player. She noticed their nervousness, the way they eyed Mio every so often, and the general way that they seemed disconcerted with the environment and everything around them. Flashes of memory passed through Nari's mind as she saw similar traits, before she shook her head to clear it. "Well...I don't know if I can help with finding better gear immediately, but if you haven't done it already, there's a quest in Tolbana with the mayor where you can start down the path. I think it's called...the First Lesson

Nari glanced up at the player that had appeared beside her, the woman standing well over her. She cocked her head to the left, leaning ever so slightly on her side as she lifted her hands in a semi-shrug. She wasn't sure what to make of the woman, brazen for sure to just approach someone else. "No...I'm definitely not a new player. Erm...I've been up to Floor Twenty-seven, working my way to the frontlines. Even got engaged with the scouting party..." She gave a side-eye to the woman, before the blunt words slipped her mouth, a questioning look on her face. "Was...there something I can he

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Nari stepped into the recording studio once more, Mio in tow behind her as she crossed to the piano. There was little planned today - a few minor pieces she was looking to stock up on, now that things had begun picking up again. "Shouldn't take too long...hey! Don't chew on that!"

Nari hadn't been to the first floor in some time, a year or more as her memory served. She glanced around the courtyard of the Town of Beginnings, sighing as she saw how empty the main floor had become now. There was once a time - a time she could barely remember now - when the shops were lined, the streets filled with NPCs and players, thousands of people moving throughout. Now, as she stood in the centre of the courtyard and stared at the small throngs of NPCs that moved throughout the streets, Nari almost felt sad. There were many whom she had once seen here, that she knew she would

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Nari laughed as she walked into the recording studio, the small kitsune bouncing between her legs as they went. Nari strode across the room, before settling in behind the piano - ready for another day of work at the recording, another day of performing for...who?

Shards covered the air before Nari as she slowly realised that they'd done it - defeated the phoenix that had caused so much trouble. She felt herself begin to tremble, before dropping to the ground, her legs giving out beneath her in response to the realisation that she had actually survived. That they had both survived. Onóra rushed over to her, taking her in her arms even as Nari tried to push the woman away. Softly, her voice escaped her throat, trying to comfort the blonde who was holding her tightly. "I'm fine...mostly. Exhausted, but alive. And...holy shit. If that's a field boss.

She could feel herself start to falter, the energy expended on the on-going fight, the overall damage she'd taken. She was tired, far more tired than she had ever been before in this game. Her body wanted nothing more than to lay down and never get back up. I can't. I need to keep fighting. Need to keep going... It didn't matter, as the phoenix slammed into her. Taking the moment of hesitation to its advantage and throwing her to the ground once more. She didn't move for a moment, too tired to even react. Too tired to get up and continue fighting. She was ready for this to be over, one w