Nari-Lanreth

The Real World

Nari had grown up in a well-off family – not among the richest of her area, but well off enough that she was able to go through life without any worries. Her parents had always ensured that she would be provided with the immaterial things that she desired, that she was never without the basic needs, or the common desires of a young girl. The one thing that was not provided to her, was social connections. Her early years found her in private care that limited her away from others, something that her parents had felt would be necessary to ensure her development and growth into a capable academic. While she quickly learnt many individualistic skills - mastering reading at a young age, learning to engage with the fine arts, as well as numerous athletic and academic skills that her parents felt would be beneficial in later years, her connections with other children were limited to the few neighbourhood children, and the two others who attended the private care she received.

The impact of this would not be seen until later in her elementary days, where Nari found social connections tedious, troublesome and outright impossible. Generally cast aside as awkward or unacceptable to the general communities within her schools, she found herself spending time alone - either diving into books, or solo based sports. This drove her towards a minor collection of activities, which she found herself diving into in earnest in her high school years. Forefront among these were passions for music, Aikido and video games.

Although given an opportunity to pursue her interests the musical fields, Nari found herself falling out of love after an incident during a live concert, causing only more fear of the social interactions required in general life. With the decrease, leading to all out avoidance, of the one interest, she found her attention refocused towards Aikido and video games. Eventually leaving school behind, after completing two college diplomas in graphic design and business management, Nari found herself working for the Aikido academy that she had spent a large portion of her later years attending, having graduated to her first dan and receiving her hakama. Providing training to others in the academy, as well as helping to run the shop along the woman she had begun to know as a friend, and sempai, Nari found herself relatively content with her current position in life.

Outside of the academy, Nari found herself diving into video games with a passion - her online persona allowing her to become more socially engaged. Using the online community as a way to open and express herself, with the hopes of one day being able to carry that confident, alter ego back to the real world, Nari had found herself spending more and more time in the virtual world - leaving it only for the requirements of life itself. A few years after leaving college for the second time, Nari had found herself in a relationship with a girl she had met in her personal time. The connection near immediate, Nari and Evelyn had been forced into a decision after an encounter with Evelyn's family, and found themselves living together in Nari's apartment. Through acts of self-defence, Nari had subdued and overpowered the abusive father of Evelyn, wherein Nari had accidentally ruptured an internal organ - causing immense pain, and eventual death of the man. Although an investigation and further trial had found Nari innocent of any malicious or criminal acts, she had found herself broken from the event - fearing to go outside lest she cause further pain and suffering. Their relationship struggling from the after effects of the event, due in part from Nari's own mental breakdown as much as Evelyn's shock, the two had looked for any avenue to repair their connection and overcome what had occurred. It was during this time that Nari found herself drawn towards Sword Art Online, dragging Evelyn along with her.

 

The Beginning

Sword Art Online, was of course, a blessing and a curse for Nari. With some connections from her family’s friends, she was able to score herself the lucrative NerveGear, and a copy of the game itself. Without any hesitation, Nari dove into the virtual world with the excitement of a child. Almost instantly she fell in love with all of it – the game giving everything that she could ever have hoped for from virtual reality. 

Her first hours were of blissfully making as many acquaintances as she could, often times getting in the faces of far more reserved individuals without a realisation of the off-putting nature of her online persona. However, as the moment of truth fell upon those within the Town of Beginnings, Nari felt a sudden shift in her persona. The realisation that she was now stuck within a death game caused a rift in her mind, creating a time in the game itself where she found herself fighting to figure out who she was. For many months after the announcement, Nari found herself fighting alone, either unable to approach others, or driven away by a personality that attempted to overcompensate for her natural reservations towards people.

Although she had Evelyn to lean on, Nari found herself drawn further inwards - refusing to engage in activities that could lead either of them towards danger. It was during an encounter, pressed into the engagement by Evelyn and a few other members that the two had often engaged with, that Nari's worst fears had come true. Having locked up in fear while facing a minor boss on one of the lower floors, Nari had watched as Evelyn sacrificed herself to save Nari from harm, pushing the girl away from the attack and taking the entirety of it instead. As she had watched in horror from the ground, the other two members with her had been cut to pieces, leaving Nari alone to escape the catastrophe. Locking herself away, she had spent days cut off from the game, her mind and soul torn apart at loss and despair. When she finally emerged, she had made her way towards an edge on the Town of Beginnings, staring off into the void for a long time. It was the intervention of an unknown player that had saved her, whispering words that would eventually drag her back towards life itself. 

As time passed, and Nari found herself lagging behind others, forced to move through the game as either a solo player, or groups who would only tolerate her for the small period of time they were required to work together. It was working with one of these parties – a lone individual who showed her the blessings to be found in this world - that Nari found herself forced into choosing her path forward. Her path forward would be a hard one, but she knew that he was right – she, and she alone could find, and follow that path. The encounter reminded her not only of who she was, but who she wanted to be, and gave her the courage she needed in order to take those first steps.

 

The Transition

The meeting with the Gardener would not be the only transition point in Nari’s life within the game. She would go on to meet others whom she would find along her path, their very presence providing her with the support she needed to continue. Although some would drift away for a while – possibly to return at a later point, possibly to disappear entirely, each would have their own affect on her development, and eventual change.

Realising that her place was defending those who could not defend themselves, Nari found herself suddenly fighting a different fight – not one where she desired to be the most loved, or even included, but instead that of one who puts everything and everyone else before herself – in some cases quite literally throwing herself into danger to allow others to escape unharmed.

The final push came when she met a younger girl who provided her advice that she would take to heart, remembering the words forever in her mind. Although she knew that her own feelings may never be mirrored, she kept that connection alive – knowing that it would be a strong drive towards her final goal; helping to clear Aincrad and free those whom had become trapped within this game.

The Hope

Provided with a clear path forward, as well as the promise of redemption and freedom, Nari had found herself engaging with the game on a stronger level. It was during this engagement that she had come across a number of players with whom she had made connections with. Although causing a rollercoaster of emotions, these connections would eventually lead towards a single purpose - the desire to escape the game, to do anything required to clear it. It was during one of these many encounters that her heart found itself torn again, conflicted with new emotions towards one she had recently met, and one she had lost not so long ago.

Promising to those she had made friends with that she would focus on clearing the game, Nari found herself once more returning to her stronger personality, slowly overcoming the shyness that had taken over from her real world self, and eventually moving her towards the Frontlines. With a recent intent to save those around her, and herself, Nari found herself fighting alongside new faces. Constantly searching for an end, one that would provide them all the escape back home that they so badly wanted. 

Honesty. For better or for worse, Nari believes that honesty in entirety is the only way to communicate. So much, that she is willing to cause a rift in her relationships with others by providing exactly what she’s thinking – holding back nothing when sharing her mind. While she is aware that many can be offended by this honesty, she feels that withholding anything is tantamount to lying, an act that she finds truly despicable even for the best of intentions. 

Loyalty. While she has always had a troubled past with creating and maintaining relationships, Nari believes that loyalty to those whom you partner is paramount. Going so far as to risk her own life for those few she would call companions, friends or anything beyond. Nari truly believes that a relationship is something far deeper than just kind words, believing that laying down one’s very life is not beyond the realm of possibility. 

Bravery. Although Nari shows hesitation when it comes to people, she refuses to cower behind others when facing down the dangers of life itself. Between rushing to the forefront of combat, or throwing herself in front of a strike meant for someone else, Nari holds herself to a high expectation for action. Afeared of nothing – beyond the requirement of socialisation – Nari lunges forward into fights across Aincrad with no withhold, often finding herself draw to the most dangerous parts of the field. 

Selfless. Nari holds little esteem for her own life in comparison to the others trapped within Sword Art Online with her. While she has no desire to die, she also knows that sometimes sacrifices are required for the greater good, and realised that her life may very well be a provision for others to escape back to the real world. Regardless of the reason, Nari holds to the value of giving all for the greater good – and in the case of Aincrad, that means being ready to give oneself in order to save others. 

Focused. Nari holds a focus on her goals, knowing what she wants, and doing whatever it takes to get there. Within Aincrad, this comes in the form of knowing that clearing the game is key to anything beyond – and as such has made her focus this. Determined to help with completing the game, Nari pushes her limits constantly, continuing to drive towards that one single goal – getting everyone out. 

Unquestioning Mindset. Nari spends little time re-thinking the actions she takes, focusing instead on the future, rather than the past. Acting without hesitation, she believes wholeheartedly that if you do something, there was a reason for it – whether good or bad, and that questioning that reason is pointless. Over time, she has realised that many others do not share this mindset, and has begun to understand that sometimes her companions require explanations as to why she did something, but never lets these questions deter her determination that she chose best in the instant. 

Unnatural Leadership. Although socially inept, Nari has always strived to hold a position of leadership, through the many other online games that she has played. Through these different games, she has gained a glimpse of what it means to lead, and finds herself constantly drawn to such a position – sometimes even successfully. She holds no doubt when offered the chance to lead, and will often times rise to the occasion – asked to or not. Regardless of the success, she strives to be a better leader, taking time to review her actions, and learn from mistakes previously made.

Social Ineptitude. Nari truly believes that she is a capable leader, regardless of her social flaws. Due to this belief, she often times attempts to step up as a leader, without realising the disagreement of those around her. With her inability to properly read and understand many social cues and less obvious behaviours, Nari often times missing the signs of those around her disliking her actions, or disagreeing with her own behaviours. Although never aggressive by nature, her determination to be beneficial can sometimes cause a divide in those she is attempting to work with, causing more problems than solutions. 

Independence. Directly tied to her social ineptitude is Nari’s overconfidence. Having been on her own for so long, Nari has never learnt to rely on others – and although she shows an unbreakable loyalty to those who show her kindness, she has never learnt to see the same loyalty in others. This has caused her to believe that being alone is the best way to keep oneself safe, even if it is detrimental to her own wellbeing. While she is quick to party with others, and provide support and encouragement to those wiling to accept it, Nari has a hard time accepting such behaviours from others – often searching for the lies or falsehood behind them, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy in many cases. 

Overconfidence. Having survived as long as she has – between a combination of skills, and general luck – Nari has become overconfident in her capabilities. Although aware that she is not invincible, she has no reluctance to charge into obviously dangerous situations, trusting in her ability to come through in the end. While not the greatest swordswoman alive (or in Sword Art Online), Nari believes she can handle herself in almost any situation that arises, even those that would cause pause for others. 

Determined to Lead. Nari holds to the ideology that her part in Sword Art Online is to help lead and guide other players to the conclusion of the game. Although her social skills are below par, she steps forward whenever given the chance, offering her experience and guidance to any who will take a moment to listen to her – or who don’t immediately override her. A veteran of many games, Nari holds to the ideology that she is a capable leader, and believes that one day she will find a group that takes note of her skills. 

Filterless. Due to her honesty, Nari often finds her tongue moving before her mind has caught up. Words slip her lips, bringing her thoughts to the ears of others – and without any sort of filter involved. Often times she has found herself causing conflict with others by speaking what she truly thinks about them, before realising that it may not necessarily be helping.

Bitterness. The years spent in Sword Art Online have not been kind to Nari, nor have they done anything to help her composure and behaviours. During her extended period of time within the world of Aincrad, the once happy and welcoming spirit has turned into a darker form of itself, a bitterness which has only grown with more and more loss. Although she can front her appearances for the sake of others - often appearing pleasant and warm on the exterior - Nari harbours a bitterness towards the world, towards everything occurring, and mostly towards herself. Although strong in resentment, this bitterness hasn't devolved her intentions of escaping, but rather warped and corrupted her reasoning for doing so.