<<F1-PP>> Wandering Starlight

[Cascade 0]

Three months had passed since the games launch, her imprisonment, her mentors death, and the end of what she knew as every day life. Clientele would come looking, people that had yet to pay would get away with no fee, the squirrel she used to feed would stop visiting, she couldn't feel, see, smell, or taste right, everything was numb. Above all else, a rotting corpse lay on the other side of what she knew as 'home.' She'd bumped into players as the days passed. Some seemed infatuated with her simply because of how she looked, some called her the Starlit Wanderer due to her lack of introduction. People around floor one knew of her, but didn't take time to actually know her. She spent her time wallowing in the death of Kersh. She put a smile on for all she passed, but her eyes showed her brokenness. Her beautiful, darkened, soulless eyes. There were times she just hid away for days on end. What was the point? She had no friends, no parents, no lover, she was alone. The weight was crushing. Cascade looked up at the lake she had been napping by. It was beautiful, this was something she could find meaning in. The beauty of what lay around her. It wasn't real, she knew, but it made no difference. Her gaze softened. There were times she could escape the gloom that shrouded her. Times like these where everything seemed at peace. A singular moment she could fool herself that everything was okay. The moment passed, she sighed and gave a smile. Maybe someday ill make it out.

She steadied herself and stood. It was time to head into town. She needed to do something. Talk to someone, do, see, hear, feel, be anything other than what she was now. Her feet moved one after another, phantom stepping her way to the village. Each step felt tiresome, but she continued. 

The town came into sight, she entered glancing around aimlessly. The usual NPCs waved to her. The man outside the tavern hit on her for the 70th time. She watched as the NPC from the cafe tripped and fell routinely. A memory flashed. Shed seen an unusual girl catch the NPC one day a few months back. She had beautiful jet black hair. She hadnt seen her since. Cascade assumed the girl hadnt realized it was an NPC at the time and caught her out of decency, hope shes doing alright. She brushed away the thought and kept forward. Finally she reached the middle of the town. She stood face to face with that blasted portal. The one that mocked her day in and out. The one that tempted her to just die by a strong enemies hand. The portal that brought PKs and highly ranked officials. Everything it stood for mocked her. She scoffed and sat at a nearby bench. A shadow cast down upon her, she looked up to meet the eyes of a stranger. The man was tall, he had blonde hair, Grey eyes, shard features, a seemingly strong body. From his apparel she guessed he was a blacksmith. His aura gave, 'self assured.' 

did you need something? She asked cheerfully, a sweet smile crossing her lips. 

The moment she spoke seemed to shatter his confidence. He scratched at the back of his head nervously.Ive seen you around here before and I was wondering if you were interested in going on a date possibly?

Her smile stayed, her head tilted as she responded. You're very kind but I think it would be in your best interest to pursue someone else. Her mind raged, why on earth would you want to pursue me? There are more important things, not to mention prettier girls. Its always, go on a date with me, youre hot girl, wow look at her, she must have had a blessed life back home looking like that; never whats your name? How are you today? Etc. To her everyone seemed lovely in their own ways, but their were also those who seemed lifeless and shallow. None of them....not one, had any light. 

***

Cascade| HP 20/20 | EN 20/20 | ACC 0 | EVA 0| 

Spoiler

Name: Cascade

True Tier: 1 

Level: 1 

HP: 20/20

EN: 20/20 

 

Stats-

Damage: 1

Mitigation: 0

Accuracy: 0

Evasion: 0

Recovery: 0

Bleed: 0

Battle Healing: 0

Inventory- 

(3) Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP)

2,000 Col

(25) Material

 

Edited Thursday at 06:39 PM by KnightessCiela

[Ascension 0]

The Town of Beginnings never lost its charm for Cassian. The bustle of players haggling in the market square, the chiming of notifications as trades were sealed, and the chatter of adventurers planning their next foray into the wilds. It all had a rhythm, a heartbeat that felt alive. He’d wandered from floor to floor since the death game began, never rooting himself anywhere, but somehow this place always pulled him back like a well-worn tavern at the end of a long road. He leaned casually against the stone wall of a modest player-run shop, arms folded as he let the tide of people wash past. He wasn’t looking for gear, and he wasn’t looking for trouble. Mostly, he was just killing time before deciding which floor to disappear into next. That was when he noticed her.

Long strands of white hair rippled in the faint breeze, catching flecks of late sunlight like spun silk. Her golden-yellow eyes gleamed in a way that made her stand out even among the crowd, sharp and bright, as if she carried a piece of the sun within them. He’d seen her before. Once by the fountain, another time at the item stalls. She wasn’t just another face. No, she lingered in memory like an unsolved riddle. And currently, some poor fool was trying his luck with her.

Pushing off the wall, Cassian strolled over with the easy gait of someone who’d seen one too many tavern brawls about to start. Cassian smirked as he watched the man’s nervous gestures followed by the woman's beautiful smile. By the time Cassian walked up he caught the tail end of a semi-cold, semi-cheerful dismissal "It would be in your best interest to pursue someone else. The man's shoulders had slumped, his confidence bleeding away. Oof. Brutal. Leaning up on the wall next to her, he tipped his chin toward the suitor and let a crooked grin spread across his face.

A chuckle slipped past Cassian’s lips, low and amused, and he brushed his hair from his eyes. Maybe this was the perfect excuse to step in. At worst, he’d get waved off. At best… maybe he’d find an ally or friend worth making in this beautiful but deadly world.

“This guy over here isn’t bothering you, is he?” His tone was light, teasing, but there was a subtle edge beneath it, the kind that made clear he was willing to deal with the problem if she wanted. He let the grin soften, tilting his head just slightly. “Name’s Ascension,” he said, voice carrying just enough warmth to balance the confidence. “What’s yours?”

* * * 

Ascension | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1

Spoiler

"Name: Ascension
True Tier: 1
Level: 1
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 20/20
EN: 20/20

Stats:
Damage: 1

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Armor/Trinket: 
  - 
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - 

Combat Mastery:
  - 

Combat Shift:
  - 

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:

Extra Skills:

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:

Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:

Housing Buffs:

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:

Gathering Profession:
"

 

Edited Thursday at 06:55 PM by KnightessCiela

[Cascade 0]

Her gaze slipped from the defeated player coursing their way to the man that spoke. His voice, she had heard it only once before, and had been sure to remember it, not that it was understood why. There was just something about the tone, it was inviting, soothing, oozing of sincerity, yet a conscious clever tick. Throughout her time here, only he had caught her eye. Once in this very plaza, he had defended a lower player against some washed out bully. The impression had warmed her heart and refused to be forgotten.  

Her eyes met his, she was bewildered, the man hadn't come to make a pass at her, simply to check if she was okay.

She smiled softly, No, thank you. I am quite alright. Nothing new for me as of late anyhow. She noted sincerely.

He was quite handsome. She took a moment to delight in the fact that he had yellow lit eyes like herself. Her gaze fell back to the ground as the thoughts coursed. No one she ever knew had ever possessed the striking feature apart from her. There were times it cast her as an outsider, making her feel less than beautiful, and even a little strange.

The good thing was things like that didnt often bother her. To her it was useless to dwell on meaningless things that she couldn't change, therefore, she did not. But from time to time, it did, it bothered her, if only for a fleeting moment. 

The lightness with which he spoke was all too tempting, it drew near a peace that had remained unknown until now. If she hadn't known any better, she'd almost think that he would truly defend her against the man had he been bothersome. If she wished, that is.

His grin softened, her eyes widening for a fleeting moment before returning to normal, eyes again meeting the ground. It's incredible how absolutely genuine you are. The thought trickled in her mind. She knew then that she had found someone worth knowing, the light that had been drempt of had somehow found her.

What was it about him that caused her to gravitate towards knowing who he was, what he liked or disliked, what made him smile, what made him sad, everything....she wanted to know it all. 

She offered her hand with a smile, her eyes landing on his own. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Cascade. She offered sweetly as she stood.

Her head tilted habitually matching his. Her gaze never fell, she was intent now. This stranger had intrigued her. If anything, friendship was the goal.

She passively studied him. His eyes were kind, but there was something else. He had experienced loss in some way. Seemingly lively and cheerful eyes, aside from that, a little fogged, lonely. A feeling that was all too familiar. 

Fear rose up within her, a terrifying, clutching, pain in her heart that screamed to be free of terror. He would leave too, of that she felt certain, but whatever the cost, she had to know him. And so, she steadied herself and kept her eyes forward, looking not just at Ascension, but also her future. 

 

Edited September 25 by Cascade

[Ascension 0]

Her soft voice responded to him, "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Cascade." Cassian took her hand gently, bowing just enough to let his lips brush against her knuckles in an attempt to perform a sincere gesture, just for her. "Well Cascade, the pleasure is all mine," he murmured against her hand, his eyes flicking upward to meet hers. "I've noticed you walking around here most days, I figured I'd finally make the leap and introduce myself." The smile on his lips was warm, genuine. It wasn't the kind meant to charm for advantage. "You surely know how to attract attention, whether you mean to or not." The words were smooth, touched with a quiet sincerity. He didn't want to just be another passing flirtation, or one more player just "testing their luck". There was this air about her, and it drew him in. It was a calm, the kind of a calm that didn't belong in a world like this.

Honestly, he'd expected her to meet him with nothing but frost, at least that's what he'd observed from afar. The smile that on her lips was warm, like sunlight breaking through a blanket of clouds. The lift of her lips and the softness of her beautiful eyes disarmed him more than he cared to admit. Her presence was like... a warm spring morning back home. It was gentle, serene.

Cassian sat next to her on the bench, leaning back and loosely crossing his arms, gaze fixed on her. "Please don't take this the wrong way," he began, his tone careful and curious, not really wanting to pry. "But I can't help wondering, why do you spend so much time here? I've only ever seen you here on my visits. I've not seen you on the upper floors." He tilted his head, the way one might when trying to read an expression. The motion had a softness to it, doused in vulnerability, almost as if he feared he'd overstepped even asking. But he couldn't stop himself from knowing more about her.

The truth was, he didn't want to assume she was like him. A restless wanderer with no real place to call home. But something in her fascinated him. Maybe it was curiosity, maybe it was hope. Either way, Cassian knew one thing for certain. He wanted... no, he needed, to get to know her better. 

Edited 17 hours ago by KnightessCiela

[Vanta 0]

Gyfhjbb wrong Account. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Vanta
Wrong account.

[Cascade 0]

He bowed, quite the gentlemmen I see. A light flinch, then she froze. Had he just done what she thought he had? Yes, he must have, she had felt it, she had watched him do it, but the mere gesture had floored her. He had just kissed her hand. A flush rose in her cheeks as her eyes widened in surprise. If she had been drinking something, she would have choked out of shock. His lips felt soft against her delicate skin, his warm breath coating her hand. She blinked a few times, gathering herself before he rose.

 

Though she had collected herself; so as not to show her surprise and embarrassment, the rose flush in her cheeks remained betraying her. "Well Cascade, the pleasure is all mine," his eyes flicked up meeting hers as he stood upright. "I've noticed you walking around here most days, I figured I'd finally make the leap and introduce myself." He smiled warmly, his sincerity pooling out of him. "You surely know how to attract attention, whether you mean to or not," she hummed in reply, unsure of what to say. The attraction she got was less than desirable, and she hadn't been trying to, 'attract,' despite how it may appear. She watched as he took his place beside her. 

 

She eyed him, he spoke smoothly and carefully. Was this a ploy to lure her in? Did she dare think it against him? There was simply something different about this man before her. He hadn't used methods like the other men; he hadn't tried to touch her or take her out right away, he simply introduced himself, charmingly so, and had shown her kindness. He had... treated her like a real person, rather than a prize. He certainly seemed confident within himself, but there was also a honest stride in the way he carried himself. He crossed his arms relaxing. His eyes never left her, Ascension showed his intent. This to Cascade, was a fluttering wish she had been longing for, honest and unwavering intent; the light. He spoke. 

 

"Please don't take this the wrong way, she listened carefully, But, I can't help wondering, why do you spend so much time here? I've only ever seen you here on my visits. I've not seen you on the upper floors." the question soured her mood. 

 

She hid it behind a soft smile before mustering a reply. He tilted his head, waiting patiently. She knew he meant no harm, but the last thing she wanted to do was think about it, the corpse that lay beside her; the reason she hadn't moved forward. Her despair had kept her stagnant, the most she could force these days was a broken smile and a walk around town. She looked down, her hands balled slowly, nervously, on her lap as she began to speak. 

 

"I just haven't quite found what to do or where to go I suppose." It wasn't a lie, but the deeper truth remained unspoken. 

 

Something in her seemed to fall apart at that very moment, she was strangely overwhelmed. A drop of water landed on her hand, her eyes widening at the realization. Panic followed quietly within her. Thankfully, her face was hidden by her long white hair. She used it as a cover to quickly wipe away the stream running down her cheeks. She prayed desperately that he hadn't caught it. What had gotten in to her? She hadn't shed a tear in years. Crying was useless, it was a waste of time and energy. It helped nothing. She took a deep breath putting another smile on her face before looking up at him.

 

"Not much to it," she added. She tried to move the conversation along, changing the subject. "What brings you to town Ascension?"

Edited 2 hours ago by Cascade