Acanthus

Acanthus drank in the tense silence. Maybe if she waited a little longer, he’d show. But two and a half bottles later, she began to doubt it. With a perfectly sober hand, she reached for another bottle behind the counter and cursed the game. Old enough to die, but not old enough to get drunk doing it. Fuck Cardinal, and fuck Kayaba. Fishing around in the dark for another bottle, her hand instead closed around something crinkly and dry, like the carcass of a large beetle. Her hand snapped back to her side as her anxiety spiked. A drink—a real one—would be perfect right about now. Slowly, s

“KANPAI!” Haru stood as she raised her glass, nearly knocking over the collection in front of her. Akihiko laughed. “Damn, Haru, you’re probably about half beer at this point!” “Bbiolo gica lly imp ossible,” Haru slurred her retort as she sat back down. “P oint ffiv e blooo d alcolol content kills people. Iiam probably sitting around—” She jostled up in down in her seat, like she was weighing herself. “Point oon e four.” Mr. Nakatani laughed. “I knew you were smart, Haru. I didn’t realize you were your own breathalyzer.” Haru shook her head, arms splayed out. “Ssmathmatics. I’ve have

“Why is that?” Came the innocent question from Eiji. Haru’s world slowed to a halt as she scrambled for an answer. Thankfully, Mr. Nakatani stepped in. “She’s a busy girl, Eiji. Getting into the University was one thing. Now she’s dealing with classes and exams on top of a full work schedule at the hospital. You said you had an exam next week for History of Japanese Government, right? How is that going?” Any attention was bad attention, but center of attention was the worst of all. Haru nearly fell over at the table. Maybe it wasn’t too late to leave. Or fake a heart attack. A beer a

The decrepit bar greeted Acanthus with a mournful whistle as she forced the crooked door shut. Her mind was still racing. There had to be someone here. This was the exact location—she had triple checked. Her heart pounded. —Haru’s heart pounded. Mr. Nakatani had dropped her right into the middle of the table. It was barely 20:30 and the drinks were flowing freely. “Slow down, Eiji!” A short man in glasses playfully slapped the back of the wiry boy sitting next to him, who appeared to be halfway through his first plate already. “Gods know where you put that. I miss having your kind of

On the House Acanthus slammed the tavern door open. Breathless and nearly doubled over, she managed her question through half a dozen wheezing coughs. “Where… where—are—you?” “Where are ya goin’, Masuda?” Haru craned her neck to look at the clock. 20:00 on the dot. She remained frozen, foot halfway out the door as the rest of her coworkers observed her like an animal in a zoo. Gingerly, her foot returned inside. “I usually leave work around this time.” Her confidence faltered for just a moment. “I—I have all my projects finished and I’ve made sure the lab equipment is

“I understand the need for a good routine. I myself enjoy some light calisthenics to wake up along with the sunrise. The sea breeze doesn’t quite match real life, but… it has to do, doesn’t it?” Acanthus moved to the front of the group to try and get a better glimpse of the path. There were a few options ahead of them, and she waited to see what Wildfire would do. They stopped to adjust their lenses and survey the area. Both Nymoria and Wildfire had asked similar questions: why this quest? Acanthus began to talk as she checked the area for tracks or clues, using her search skill to p

Acanthus nodded solemnly, the humor entirely lost on her. “Children are hard workers. I’m sure he would see them helping in your shop and realize how much the arrangement benefits both you and the children. Although I don’t know if learning a trade here would really translate into the real world if they get back...When they get back.” Her voice softened at the mistake. “Does, um, does Wulfrin have a shop? Oh, you said he was a blacksmith already. Forgive me.” A warm, black lump of fur distracted her from her conversational tailspin. Kumaki's mouth contained a trace amount of cookie—just e

“Wait, the ice cream here combusts? I’m not sure I’d want to eat that. Also, I thought you were the hot dog man. The ice cream… is that a recent thing? Are you just slowly picking up all summer-themed American foods?” Acanthus briefly considered asking if he would consider trying to recreate a McFlurry in Aincrad, but thought the better of it. She didn’t need anyone else knowing about her weakness for cheap fast food. Plus, if a McFlurry did to Aincrad whatever it did to the McFlurry machine, there was a good chance attempting to recreate the dessert in Aincrad would spell their doom.

I'll give you your next break >:( Recovery. +1 EN. +0 HP Main Action: ST-1 -> Morningstar (-8 EN) ROLLID | BD 7 + 4 - 4 | Hit! 8 * 10 = 80 + 20 = 100 damage. Swift Action. Vampire Noble's Knife (-2 EN) | Additional 20 damage (included above). +20 HP. Acanthus | HP: 236/440 | EN: 5/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT: 56 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (2/2) | FTK (7/7) Morningstar | HP: 9/450 | EN: 12/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | FLN: 4 | PARA-V | SUSHI

I can just paste the exact last block Recovery. +1 EN. +18 HP Swift Action. Nothing Main Action: Paralyzed Morningstar, you scallywag. You absolute blaggard Acanthus | HP: 248/440 | EN: 14/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT: 56 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (2/2) | FTK (7/7) Morningstar | HP: 109/450 | EN: 8/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | FLN: 4 | PARA-V | SUSHI

No smack Recovery. +1 EN. +18 HP Swift Action. Nothing Main Action: Paralyzed Morningstar, you scallywag. You absolute blaggard Acanthus | HP: 230/440 | EN: 13/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT:56 51 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (1/2) | SHATTER: -5 (3/3) | FTK (6/7) Morningstar | HP: 109/450 | EN: 8/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | FLN: 4 | PARA-V | SUSHI

smack(:nod:) Recovery. +1EN | +18 HP Swift Action. None. Main Action: ST-1 -> Morningstar (-8 EN) 243117 | BD 6 + 4 - 4 | Hit! 10 * 8 = 80 damage. Acanthus | HP: 249/440 | EN: 12/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT:56 51 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (2/2) | SHATTER: -5 (2/3) | FTK (5/7) Morningstar | HP: 109/450 | EN: 15/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | HLY: 4 | FRZ | SUSHI

No smack Recovery. +1 EN. +18 HP (32 - 14). Swift Action. None. Main Action: Rest (+10 EN) Acanthus | HP: 249/440 | EN: 19/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT:56 51 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (1/2) | SHATTER: -5 (1/3) | FTK (4/7) Morningstar | HP: 189/450 | EN: 4/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | HLY: 4 | FRZ | SUSHI

Smack Recovery. +1 EN. +18 HP (32 - 14). Swift Action. None. Main Action: ST-II -> Morningstar (-11 EN) 243098 | BD 6 + 4 - 4 | Hit! 10 * 11 = 110 damage. Acanthus | HP: 256/440 | EN: 8/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT:56 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (0/2) | FTK (4/7) Morningstar | HP: 189/450 | EN: 9/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | HLY: 4 | FRZ | SUSHI

Smack Recovery. +1 EN. +0 HP. Swift Action. None Main Action: ST-I (-8 EN) 243094 | BD 8 + 4 - 4 | Hit! 10 * 8 = 80 damage. Acanthus | HP: 278/440 | EN: 18/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT:56 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (2/2) | FTK (3/7) Morningstar | HP: 299/450 | EN: 18/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | HLY: 4 | FRZ | SUSHI

THREAD SUMMARY Experience Acanthus | [Word Count: 6068/10 = 606.8] * [True Tier: 7] * [Group Factor: 0.5] = 2124 * 2 = 4248 EXP Jomei | [Word Count: 6068/10 = 606.8] * [True Tier: 12] * [Group Factor: 0.5] = 3641 * 2 = 7282 EXP Wulfrin | [Word Count: 6068/10 = 606.8] * [True Tier: 6] * [Group Factor: 0.5] = 1820 * 2 = 3640 EXP Kiyabu | [Word Count: 6068/10 = 606.8] * [True Tier: 2] * [Group Factor: 0.5] = 607 * 2 = 1214 EXP Col Acanthus | 318 col (Laurel Wreath) Jomei | 546 col (Laurel Wreath) Wulfrin | 273 col (Laurel Wreath) Kiyab

THREAD SUMMARY Winner is Acanthus (close fight though! gg) (Word Count does not include Kindling's Introduction) Experience Acanthus | [Word Count: 2917/10 = 291.7] * [True Tier: 7] * [Group Factor: 0.7] = 1429 * 2 = 2858 EXP Vigilon | [Word Count: 2917/10 = 291.7] * [True Tier: 7] * [Group Factor: 0.7] = 1429 * 2 = 2858 EXP Col Acanthus | 428 col (Laurel Wreath) Vigilon | 428 col (Laurel Wreath)

Chilly Recovery. +1 EN. +18 EN Swift Action. None Main Action: None (Frozen) You best hope your luck keeps up Acanthus | HP: 278/440 | EN: 25/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT:56 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (1/2) | FROZEN | FTK (2/7) Morningstar | HP: 379/450 | EN: 5/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | HLY: 4 | FRZ | SUSHI

stop that!!! Recovery. +1 EN. +18 HP. Swift Action. Antidote Crystal (-2 EN) | All negative status effects cleared (Freeze, Burn, Shatter) Main Action: ST-I -> Morningstar (-2 EN) 243022 | BD 4 + 4 - 4 | Miss. Acanthus | HP: 324/440 | EN: 24/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT:56 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | FTK (1/7) Morningstar | HP: 379/450 | EN: 12/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | HLY: 4 | FRZ | SUSHI

oof ouch owie my bones Recovery. +1 EN. +18 HP Swift Action. Forgotten King's Authority (-5 EN) Frozen removed. Main Action: ST-I -> Morningstar (-2 EN) 243009 | BD 4 + 4 - 4 | Miss. Acanthus | HP: 372/440 | EN: 27/43 | DMG: 10 | MIT:56 51 | ACC:3 | AA | FL.AURA: 4 | THORNS:18 | BH:14 | HB: 18 | LD:3 | BURN: 14 (0/2) | Shatter: -5 (2/3) | FTK (0/7) Morningstar | HP: 379/450 | EN: 17/43 | DMG: 9 | ACC: 4 | AA | EVA: 4 | REC: 2 | LD: 4 | HLY: 4 | FRZ | SUSHI

Frustration grew with each missed swing. The only ground she could gain was the inevitable damage of her flames and thorns. Morningstar himself was too fast and too smart to hit. Emotions rose and caught in her chest with each step forward and back. She hated them—hated each and every entwined feeling that she could not pick out, and analyze, and return to a neatly labeled container in her mind. Unconsciously, her mind sorted what it could. She felt sad. What she had done on Floor Nine was unforgivable. Morningstar had every right to hate her. She felt afraid. Her actions were h

Morningstar darted in, severing another strand of her patience with a decisive strike, while Acanthus’ sword sliced the air where he had just been. He’s fast. That’ll save his life someday. ...It already did. Nervous, her body fused to the floor, refusing to press the withdrawing figure. Instead, botan formed a feeble line between her and Morningstar. “Stop it.” The words fell from her mouth, less a command than a plea. “Stop it.” Morningstar appeared deaf. His face locked into a grimace she had only seen at the bandit camp itself. Was it too late to talk? It’s

Initiative: 242993 | LD 20 Acanthus had dreaded this moment since her brief lapse of judgment on floor nine. Hadn’t she earned a little more time before dealing with Morningstar? When she had seen the scheduled fight, her heart dropped. Three draft messages lay abandoned in her messages folder, begging Minako to reconsider the match, or even just threatening to forfeit before the fight started. But those drafts remained unsent, and now she was here. Acanthus’s mind clouded over, desperate to stay away from the feelings that had overtaken her in the midst of battle. Memories grew blac

No good. She scowled and fell back, taking a moment to catch her breath. <<I might as well sit down in front of you. You’re too weak to even take a swing at me.>> Hirru seemed like the last person to be goaded with such an obvious ploy, but she’d take any chance to move the game along. <<How have your other fights gone? I shudder to imagine a mirror match for you.>> Before she could conjure up another half-baked insult, Emrakul spoke to her. An inky black canvas washed away the fight, and the noise along with it. All that remained with the voice (the very no

THREAD SUMMARY Experience. [Word Count: 5499/10 = 549.9] * [True Tier: 7] * [Group Factor: 1] = 3849 + 1500 (quest) = 5349 * 1.1 (Slime Farm) = 5883 EXP Col. 400 (bonus) + 577 (Laurel Wreath) + 1500 (quest) = 2477 col