[PT-F28] Amber

[Mari 1]

Mari wasn’t entirely sure where she was, all she knew was that she had wandered far into the fire forest. Sunlight barely broke through the crimson foliage above. Originally…Mari came here with a plan to relocate her home to a warmer floor. One that wasn’t covered in frosty snow. Mari adored the aesthetics of this floor. Of the forest. She enjoyed the smell of the loamy earth.

But the trees were so dense.

It’d potentially be a problem for her firestarter husband.

Husband.

The woman paused, bringing her hand up to inspect the small ring he had made her. Turning it to and fro so the light caught it just so. The tiny red gem glimmering in the sprinkling light from above. Their wedding didn’t seem real. It was rushed, fuelled by Lancaster's desperation to ensure they stayed together - as though through some miracle being married by Aincrads laws and systems meant that they’d keep their little fantasy, for just that little bit longer. Mari couldn’t blame him. She felt the same. The entire thing was like an explosion, literally and figuratively.

If Mari were being completely honest, she’d have liked to have invited some friends, to show the world the man she loved. Despite his past. Despite their trials…the two had found an innate and immediate connection - and …what was wrong with sharing that? Aside from the fact that half of Aincrad probably wanted the man dead.

Maybe…

This place wasn’t a good idea for her home, but it was still pretty. Mari continued on her path till she found a small clearing that seemed to run by a river. This seemed as good a place as any to take a small break.

Mari opened up her inventory, and pulled out a small flask filled with whiskey, she took a drink from it as she headed toward the river, kicking off one boot then the other - followed by her socks till her feet were dipped in the cool stream. Mari threw her back into the wet earth. Her eyes staring at the dancing leaves above, listening to the songs of birds - the pitter pater of woodland creatures. Signs that the place was teeming with life. Such a stark difference to the frozen and dead wasteland that was her home.

This…was nice.