[PP-F4] The Shadow and the Pride [ValexHik] <<Dragon Hunter Anthology Part: IIII>>

[Vale 1]

[Yui's Grace (4 remaining) activated for Thread]

While still in the tavern of the 3rd floor just after a small expedition with Hikoru, someone she could had thought of as a Rival, a Friend, a Confidant, an Idol.Vale's eye widened when she realized what she said, but there was no taking it back anymore though. She asked him what had never really come to thought until the very recent days when he was in near every thought of hers. Having one hand grabbing his and the other gripping a crystal while holding the cloak every so tightly. A very faint white light glowing in her hand as she crushed the crystal, The Panther-Woman raised her head to look at Hikoru in the eyes once more. She was almost certain that he'd decline her and leave her be for being too weak, she couldn't help it though. This man was one of only people she had ever showed her soft side to. The only other being her late wife whom jumped over the edge of Aincrad, something she had only spoken of a handful of times. Vale was unsure of if she could even tell Hikoru that, hesitation to show her weakness crippled her mind, body, and heart. Her tear filled amethyst colored eyes stared deeply into Hikoru's silverish eyes, waiting ever so patiently for him to answer her.

Edited September 24, 2017 by Vale

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru was flabbergasted, and didn't have any idea what to say. He was just invited to stay the night to a very beautiful woman's home. A crying woman whom he had just covered with his cloak and laid his hand on, which she was now grabbing. He felt his whole face turn red in just a few moments. He wasn't sure of what to say. In fact, he was unable to say anything. He just stared blankly, his face aglow red against his gray-blue eyes. He had never been in this perdicament before, and he didn't know how to react. Today had been a roller coaster of emotions, and he didn't know where the ride would end. He couldn't speak, so he just gave a small nod of his head. Unable to say anything, that was the best he could do. He reached over and grabbed his cup, his knuckle white as he grabbed it to make sure he didn't drop it, then chugged the remaining liquid to try and get his vocal chords working. He was in pure shock, and didn't know how to fix it. He would have to wait until it wore off, but he didn't know how long that would take. And he couldn't hide his face either in his cloak. He felt completely naked, and didn't know how to do anything at the moment.

[Vale 1]

She could see just how beat read this man was, even though she had dark skin and the hood covering herself. The only person who could see just how beat red her face was alike to Hikoru's was only Hikoru himself. When he nodded she flicked her face downward with her eyes closed, a feeling of genuine happiness began to overcome Vale completely. Hikoru let go her hand in order to chug the rest of his drink. During this time, Vale began to drink the rest of her sake at a relatively quick pace. Her fingers were pressing against the sides of the cup after letting go of her grip on the cloak, letting it lie limp on top of her. Her hands looked like they were delicately taken care of, just like the first day when she joined SAO with her wife.

Vale was somewhat awestruck over the fact that Hikoru agreed to spend the night with her. She didn't even know where to go, when it suddenly came to her. After all her days of constantly training, she had amassed a massive amount of col and found a specially secluded place. Funding every bit she had gained during those month, she was able to afford one of the most sought after homes that was available. Though it's purchase was done in secret as to keep everyone from keeping it's owners discovery as it was not protected from safety zones like towns. Vale rose her head slightly so their eyes could meet once again, "D-Do you want.... t-to come to m-my place." She whispered to Hikoru trying to get the attention off them... Her embarrassment was at an all time high, and with having made this much progress talking to Hikoru. She'd much rather open up her heart to him in private.

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru sat back and realized that he had just agreed to stay the night with the woman. He had never... done that with a person, not even with Ariel. After a few moments she asked if she wanted to go to his place. He felt an immediate blush form and he grabbed for his cloak, re-equipping it and covering his face. He felt himself covered and felt safer, then stood up and started to walk.

"Howaboutwegocontinuethequestline." He was able to speak, far too fast for any person not paying attention to understand, then sprinted out the door. She had just... invited him. He didn't know how to react, so he knew it was just best to run away, like he had taught himself. He headed to the teleporter and waited for the woman, but he knew that things were super, super awkward for him right now. He didn't know that things were going to get like this, but he felt... Happy, in a sense. He didn't know how to react, but the feeling of happiness still filled his heart. There was... another person that cared about him. That was something that he hadn't felt in awhile, and he honestly missed the feeling of being loved. It was one thing for friends to love him, but for another person to love him... It was something that he had been craving without knowing it.

[Vale 1]

Hikoru quickly ripped the cloak off Vale, her eyes widened in surprise and shock of this occurring. With that Hikoru quickly hid himself within his cloak and said something about continue and quest. The rest was jumbled together being spoken so fast that it caught Vale off guard completely. As she reached out for him to try and speak, he darted out at high speeds. Her arm slowly dropped and rested softly on the table. It was taking a lot of inner strength not to lose it right then and there. She was certain that Hikoru had rejected her with that, it was a stinging pain to see that happen. Vale dropped her inventory and selected to have her recently identified cloak drape over her, the panther head hood allowed her to hide her face, but still see through the eye sockets. Placing her arms within the sleeves she all but masked her chest and torso, the cloak would only rest ontop of her legs and be free-flowing from there.

Hikoru made it apparent he only wanted to quest and didn't want much more, or atleast that was all she could surmise from the conversation they just had. Vale stood up quiet and walked out, with a noticeable lack of pep in her step. All eyes were on her in the tavern, and she was aware of it. Sullenly she made her way to the teleportation gate, Hikoru standing there awaiting her. She couldn't tell what was going on with his face due to it being hidden by the cloak. But now, her entire face was covered by the panther head hood. She fought every instinct within her to not bust out into tears. She had nothing to say at this point, just the words "Warp, Snowfrost." Hey body motions made it evident she didn't once try to turn any part her body to look at Hikoru. 

Stats for this Thread:
700 HP
70 EN
8(13) DMG
3 ACC
3 EVA
2 LD
1 Light Momentum
1 Life Steal (Defensive)
9 MIT

Edited September 25, 2017 by Vale

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru watched as the panther girl appeared from the tavern with a cloak of her own. It was definitely cute, but something seemed.... off... He couldn't tell what it was. She didn't even look at him as she teleported to the next floor. He followed suite, and opened up his HUD to see where the quest was. He found the area that it was, and started to walk. After a few moments, he stopped and gave a sigh. He felt horrible for running, so he needed to at least apologize.

"Look... I'm, sorry for running... I'm not good with these... emotion-filled moments. They are... New, to me. I don't know how to react, i'm sorry." He said, then started to the quest, not feeling like he had anything to say. He wished he could say more, but at this moment he felt horrible, and there was nothing for him to do. He gave a small sigh and wished he knew how to react in these kind of things. But this was way too new to him, he just needed to slow down. For now he would try to take things slow and process them. That's all he could do to try and get used to these feelings.

[Vale 1]

Vale walked beside her, due to the way her armor was made. Her footprints were actually in the design of a large cats foot. Made it look as though someone were walking with their familiar rather than with another player. Vale wasn't sure how to react at all, they were walking in stride together, but there was this feeling of distance made by Hikoru that was painful to say the least. Hikoru finally spoke up after a short distance into their walk toward the dragon's location, he was trying his hardest to appeal to Vale and to help her understand him a bit. She couldn't in all honesty blame him for his actions, it made sense based on the way he acted with her from the times they first met. Yet still it was like a blade had been jammed into her heart.

She sighed, the bottom half of her face namely just the nose and mouth still visible from where the panther's head reached, "Hikoru... There is a lot I need to tell you. I'm not good with these emotion-filled moments either. The last person I truly loved brought me into this world despite my lack of knowledge for video games." She started with saying, if she was going to get him to understand her a bit, it was time to come forth with everything. Her gaze did not move from the ground she was about to step on, her eyes were glued to just barely in front of her, cause she couldn't bare the pain of looking at him at the current moment. She took a deep breath, biting her lip for a second before she continued to speak, "This same woman... Committed suicide, just hours after learning we could not escape this world-" A brief pause in her words and the slight glint of light reflecting off a tear streaming down her face, noticeable from when the tear reached past the hoods cover point, "We were married outside this world... We had been together since we were extremely young.... But she left... me alone..." She managed to say after bringing her paw up to her face, "I'm sorry... I'm not your burden. I won't force you to stay around me Hikki..." Turning her head to face away from him, managing to say the nickname she had in her head for him.

Edited September 25, 2017 by Vale

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru stopped and listened to Vale as she opened herself up to him. He listened, and he felt choked up as she explained that her wife had... died. He didn't know how to react to that. He had friends killed, but his own spouse... He was young, and he hadn't had something like that for himself. He was upset, and he wished he could do something to help her, but there was nothing he could do... She called herself a burden, but she wasn't that to him. He gave a sigh, and did something he never expected to do. He came up to her and held her, their cloaks looking like a blob of cloth. He held his arms around the woman and comforted her.

"You are not a burden to me..." He gave a low chuckle. "An annoyance, some days... But never a burden..." He said, trying to joke a bit... He wished that he could help her to feel better, but he knew that this was all that he could offer without... overstepping a boundary, that she might have not been ready to cross. He thought for a moment, then decided against it and kissed her forehead gently. Just a small peck, but with enough love in it to be known.

[Vale 1]

Vale was breaking down in front of Hikoru, unable to get a hold of her emotions leaving her feeling helpless and useless. She wanted to be stronger inside, but it as all just building ontop of her, the stress, the pain, the agony, the regret. They all weighed down as if she were atlas holding up the world upon her shoulders. He must of thought so little of her, she practically threw herself at him and he rejected. Maybe she was repulsive to him, maybe she was just a disgusting human, her mind was swirling of these negative thoughts. It was like the train had a colossal wreck in her mind. But then from infront of her, he held her close and tight. The tears too much to bear when he spoke.

"You are not a burden to me..."

Hikoru even fit in a joke to try and bring up the mood, but it was already too late. Vale broke and cried into her shoulder, a girl broken by her past and unable to hold it together anymore. She gripped his cloak tight to make sure he couldn't pull away, it was her indicator to him that she needed him to just be there for the moment. Her eyes opened and widened when Hikoru kissed her forehead, she looked at him in the eyes, "I'm sorry. I won't be like this for long, but please can I just have this minute?" She asked Hikoru with innocent eyes, before burying her face into Hikoru's chest, "You're the only person aside from Yukino to know, what I am like when I feel vulnerable." She admitted to the shadow stalker.

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru felt her grip tighten and she held him tight, crying into his shoulder. He knew this was a moment not to run and hide, but to hold and comfort. He held his arms around her, keeping her warm from the blistering winds around them. He knew he needed to be the stone for her to stand on right now, and he would do that. She apologized and asked if she could have a minute, then said as she said He was the only one to know how she felt when she was vulnerable. He felt the tinge of a blush and just nodded, holding her close, but keeping an eye out. Even though they could be alone, it wasn't impossible for a monster to spawn and try to attack them. He didn't see anything, but he made sure to keep listening above the young woman's voice and her crying. He needed to keep her safe, and that's the one thing he was good at.

"Of course, take your time..." He said quietly, reaching underneath the girl's hood and holding her head against his chest, stroking the back of her head slowly, trying to comfort her. He was still all new to this, but these were things that he had seen others do, so he now wondered if it would work now. Only one way to find out, either she would relax or he would get a punch to the gut, no clue how to tell but to wait until she reacted.

[Vale 1]

The more that Hikoru consoled the broken woman eased the pain on her soul, for once in a very long time. She felt as though it was okay to be weak and rely on someone else to help, the cold breeze caused goosebumps to start creeping up on her arms and legs. An immediate shiver could be felt from the girl as she was being caressed by Hikoru. Her head placed firmly on his chest, with a good handful of his shirt gripping within her hand. Only a few moments passed before she was finally taking back control over her emotions. Wiping away a tear to finally get ready for assisting Hikoru in defeating yet another dragon hatching. Just before she was about to start pushing off the man, he began stroking the back of her head, the cat in her couldn't resist but to sit still and let him pet her.

His words whispered into her ears, but quickly the escaped the other side of her ears, being far too happy with being petted. Vale nuzzled her head into his chest as he pet her, this was the exact thing she wanted. She began to purr, a small capability gained from the potion that gave her neko-like qualities. Her purrs reverberating through her body, possibly resonating within Hikoru as well. She wanted just a few more minutes of being cared for by Hikoru, everything else was irrelevant. The cold winds were no longer coming across her thoughts, just a sweet genuine adorable smile stretched across her face.

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru felt a small blush form as he felt the small woman purr against his chest. It was definitely a new feeling for him, and it was definitely interesting to experience. He continued to pet the girl a little more,  before stopping and kissing her forehead again. It was rough to feel her crying,  but she seemed to have calmed down, and she seemed a bit more at peace. He cleared his throat to get her attention. 

"You think we should get going now? That dragon isnt going to slay itself." He said with a small chuckle. He let go and looked towards the direction of the quest and saw that they were close, and he gave a nod. 

"Alright, ill enter stealth and take care of this. Be back soon" he said, then disappeared into the snow, his cloak causing him to blend into the snow until he was out of sight

[Vale 1]

ID: 88865 | BD: 6+3=9 | MD: 4+2-3=3

Vale pulled away from Hikoru, after one last kiss to her forehead. Something he did with moving the hood off her head in order to perform said action. She was content now that she had been comforted by the person she was obviously growing feelings for. When he asked if they should get going, it was the sweetest smile she could possibly give the man. The glimmer of the sun through the snowfall, this was, in fact, the most genuine smile she had ever given to someone, "Yes HIkki-kun" Were the words that had just as much meaning as the smile.

Hikoru then disappeared into the shadows. Since Vale knew what she was looking for she focused her tracker on the small hatchling. Vale ran about, thinking that Hikoru could easily see her and follow wherever she went. It didn't take too long to see the small dragon hatchling torturing some penguins. Seeing this enraged Vale into a full charge All Might strike to the back of the beast. Launching it against the free and bouncing a decent distance away. With the surprise and force of the attack, the Dragon didn't have an inkling of a second to counter-attack.

Vale: 700/700 | 53/70
Hikoru: ????/???? | ??/??

Icefyre: 105/250 | 50 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA | 75 DMG [-195+50= -145 HP]

Edited September 29, 2017 by Vale

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru watched as the Purranther ran towards something,  and he followed swiftly,  curious to what was happening. Sure enough,  she had found the dragon hatchling,  and he knew that she would go for a punch. He gave her a moment to attack, then he appeared fron the snow, flurries from the ground appearing as he charged forward. Soon he struck from the shadows, seemingly appearing from nowhere and everywhere at once. The poor creature was overkilled,  and he landed with his dagger shining through the snow,  his shield still hidden underneath his cloak. He saw the small gems that was dropped,  and picked up both of them. He turned to the young woman and held out a crystal for her.

"For you m'dear, nice work." He said, a smile appearing from the cloak,  proud of how well she was able to hold herself against the small dragon. Hopefully the next one would be just as easy,  but only time would tell. 

ID: 88920

BD: 1 (Disregarded due to Sneak Attack)

Hikoru used swarm: 22x14= 308x1.15= 354-50= 304 Damage to Icefyre

Vale: 700/700 | 53/70
Hikoru: 1375/1375 | 122/136

Icefyre: 0/250 | 50 MIT | 2 ACC | 1 EVA | 75 DMG [-195+50= -145 HP]

[Vale 1]

Vale looked at Hikoru as he flashed his seemingly unique style of attacking, she had seen a plethora of dagger uses. But his creativity in his attacks had to transcend something. She used his unique fighting style to help be the catalyst of designing her own set of attacks. But with the Martial Arts sword arts, it was hard to truly develop a style and one generally was forced to use it a singular set way. It made her think deeply about it, she concluded that truly creating a fighting style was just too difficult for the system to handle. She managed to push the system to the limits but regardless her All Might sword art which was her primary attack was a single strike with full power. Something she wished she could adapt into something completely different.

Hikki for the first time held out the crystal for her to grab, normally he would just toss it to her regardless of if she was looking at him or not. It was getting extremely dark out and late at night, Vale feeling the exhaustion of constantly questing was beginning to take it's toll on her, "Thank you Hikki-kun." She said happily accepting the crystal from his had, "It's starting to get very late. I think it would be a good time to turn in." She said looking him in the face, she remembered that she had asked him to stay with her causing her face to explode back into a blush, "I-I want f-force you to s-stay with m=me tonight." She began stuttering from her embarrassment, the source of it being from her head.

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru gave a small smile as she accepted the small gem. It disappeared from his inventory as it passed, and he double checked to make sure his gem was pocketed, which it was safely within the pockets of his cloak. He gave a sigh and nodded in agreement as she said it was late. Then she stammered a moment before telling him that she wouldnt force him to stay the night. He pulled her close in an instant, pulling back his hood as snowflakes drifted onto his dark hair, and looked into her eyes for what seemed like hours, then leaned in for a kiss. He felt sparks fly, sparks that he hadnt felt before. He pulled away and gave a small, genuine, and slightly sly smile. 

"I dont think i would mind that..." he said, then pulled her in for a close hug. He was truly in love with this woman, and he knew that he would do his best to protect her, no matter what the cost may be. He held her tight for a few moments, then let go. "So what floor misses Vale?"

[Vale 1]

The girl was stammering around like a blubbering dolt, she was pushing her fingers together in embarrassment. Completely unused to being in this situation especially with it being a man of all things, she hadn't had butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. It reminded her of the good times back during school, the poor girl needed an out from talking, something Hikoru managed to cover perfectly. Hikoru reached out, grabbing the Neko girl by the hip. The suddenness of this action by Hikoru shut her up completely as he pulled her into his chest. Immediately one hand placed softly above his heart, and the other placed on the opposite side of his heart on his chest. The man pulled down his hood, Vale responding in kind as she removed her own hood.

The mood drifting the snow as the flakes rested gently upon each of their heads. They stared eye to eye, Vale standing just a slight bit shorter than Hikoru due to the small little snow bump in the ground he was standing on. Hikoru began to lower his head, Vale bringing the paw opposite his heart up and around his neck pulling him in sensually for a deep kiss. For a brief moment, there was nothing but the sheer ecstasy that came from the joining of the lips. Finally, someone had accepted her as Yukino once did. The happiness that welled within the heart of the toned martial artist was overwhelming to the point that tears began to streak down her face. She placed her hope that this moment would never come to end. Vale was finally at peace, and Hikoru brought that calming of the mind to her. Vale slowly brought her second paw up to behind his head and pulled him in tighter for a deeper more sensual pleasing kiss.

Edited October 2, 2017 by Vale

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru felt a small blush as he felt the girk grabbed him for another passionate kiss. He felt a blush form on his face, but he felt much more intensity than the first one. He pulled in and felt the intensity rise. He pulled. Her face in a bit closer, pulling her closer to him by the hip and feeling the overwhelming emotions overtake him. He stopped himself though, and pulled away. 

"This would probably be better... At your place. " He said with a small chuckle. He picked her up bridal style and started to carry her to the town once more, kissing her cheek every few steps, making sure that she didn't go too long without the feeling of his lips on her cheek. He soon appeared at the city gates and set her down. "I didn't know if you would be comfortable with me carrying you through town.. " He said with a small chuckle. He took her hand in his, and started to walk into town, feeling a new sense of peace within him.

[Vale 1]

After one deep kiss, followed by another extremely passionate kiss lead by both of them. Hikoru managed to finally pull his face away from hers, a sliver of saliva connecting their mouths together for a brief moment before breaking apart. The girl's face covered side to side with a blush, her eyes heavy from having them closed throughout the passion of the kiss. Hikoru expressed where this would best be handled, and all she could manage to do. The quick witted man swept the purranther off her feet, Vale leaned into her holding her paws together behind the back of his neck to sit stable. She rested her head into his chest, the exhaustion finally getting to her she closed her eyes happily.

They reached the city of Snowfrost, and Hikoru went to set Vale upon her feet, but she didn't want to be placed down on her feet. She dragged her hands down his chest as he set her down. She flung her finger in her control panel and sent Hikoru the location of the home she bought during the travels of isolationism. Vale was too exhausted from the constant training she had been doing to try and catch up to Hikoru. She looked at him and mouthed the word thank you, before closing her eyes and collapsing into Hikoru's arms. She didn't have the strength to stay awake, she hadn't informed Hikoru of her training regimen she had been putting herself through. And all she wanted was the warmth she got from him holding her close. 

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru stopped as she typed something, and he got a notification jist as she collapsed onto him. He was able to catch her in time before she landed into the cold snow. He opened the message and saw that they were co-ordinates. He shook his head with a small smile and dragged her onto his back, making sure the purranther was balanced as he grabbed her legs and held onto her tightly. He took a moment to get used to the new balance point before heading to the teleporter. He made sure his hood was up as he went. 

"Teleport" He said simply. He punched in the co-ordinates and the teleporter took him to the right floor. He followed the coordinates until he appeared at the mansion. He gave a small sigh and entered, admiring the looks of the.building until he found the bedroom. He laid Vale down, taking off her cloak and laying it on a nearby chair as he did the same and crawled into bed next to her,  holding her close to keep her warm as he soon fell into a dreamless slumber.