[F01|SP] The Garden | <<Nature's Treasure: Little Eden>>

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nature's Treasure: Little Eden

’What was they said about overdoing things?’ Nari didn’t look over at Onora as she continued walking through the town’s streets, looking for any sign of the man-drake that would lead them to the garden. She’d heard earlier in the day that the form of Nemo had been seen roaming the first floor once more, as if taunting players to come find him – a task that Nari had been more than inclined to accept. Onora had been dragged along in the excuse of having a day away from the shop – the blonde had been attending to it with a fervor that screams oncoming burnout – and had relented only after hours of argument that had worn both of them down slightly, albeit ending in fits of laughter.

’Fine, don’t listen to me then.’ There was a pouty tone to her voice that Nari had chosen to ignore, before glancing back and noticing the smile playing across the blonde’s face. Rolling her eyes, Nari looked around once more, noticing a sudden flash of straw against the background. She grabbed Onora’s wrist, chasing after the form of Nemo as the man came into view not far ahead of them.

’Hey, Nemo!’ Nari called out, waving as he turned to look at her. His face broke into a smile as he recognised the two women – once frequent visitors to the garden itself – approaching him. ’I was wondering if we could come with you to the garden again today?’

---

Quest Objective | Speak with Nemo

Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 35 | P. 66 | HP [1,020/1,020] | EN [134/134] | ACC [3] | DMG [9] | MIT [224] | B.Healing [+55] | STEALTH [-5] |  FRSTBT [40 DMG | -1 ACC] | THORNS [72] | F.AURA [16 DMG] | PARA [8+] | HM [+4 B.DMG]   Hide contents Notes  [Theme] Tier 4 | Tier 10 [Laurel Wreath] Equipment Póg Deiridh [One-Handed Assault Spear | Tier 4] Enhancement: Frostbite [2 Slots] Enhancement: Accuracy [2 Slots] Glacadh Morríghan [H. Armour| Tier 4]  Enhancement: Frost Aura [2 Slots] Enhancement: Heavy Momentum [1 Slot]  [coPóg an Gheimhridh [Heater Shield| Tier 4] Enhancement: Paralyse [1 Slot] Enhancement: Taunt [1 Slot] Enhancement: Thorns [2 Slots] Battle-Ready Inventory Dimensional Backpack [+1 Battle-Ready Inventory] Teleport Crystal {3} [Crystal | Tierless | Post Action to Teleport to nearest Town.] Starter Healing Potion {4} [Potion | Tierless | Heals 50 HP] Siúil a Rún {5} [Support Song | Tier 3 | HP Recovery III] Sí do Mhaimeo Í {2} [Support Song | Tier 4 | Monsters' Fortune I [Instant]]  Níl Sé'n Lá {1} [Support Song | Tier 4 | Monsters' Favour III]  Immolation Potions {10} [Portion | Tier 4 | +40 DMG] Caramel Brownies {2} [Dessert | Tierless | Loot Die III]  Skills   Hide contents Utility Skills Extended Weight Limit [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 additional Battle-Ready inventory slots.] [Extended Weight Limit Mod] Large Pockets [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases the number of identical items you can carry in one Battle-Ready inventory slot to 15.] Combat Skills Battle Healing [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.] Energist [Active: Passive. Effect: Increase base Energy by 5*Tier.] Fighting Spirit [Active: Passive. Effect: Attacking and using Howl or Focused Howl generates +1 additional Hate. (Ex. Generate 1/2/3 Hate on a Miss/Hit/Critical attack. Generate 5 Hate when using Focused Howl.)] Howl [Active: Post Action. Energy: 2 EN. Cooldown: 2 turns. Effect: Adds +2 Hate each against up to 4 targets.] [Howl Add-on] Focused Howl [Active: Post Action. Energy: 4 EN. Cooldown: 4 turns. Effect: Adds +4 Hate against a single target.] Weapon Skills Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.] [Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.] Armour Skills Heavy Armour [Rank:5. Active: Passive. Effect: 35 MIT. Evasion is capped at 1 slot; -5 Stealth Rating.] [Heavy Armour Mod] Impetus [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] [Heavy Armour Add-on] Iron Skin [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +15 Mitigation and +15 x Tier HP.] Active Extra Skills Block [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: Requires an equipped shield. User’s evasion cannot be greater than 0 (can still be negative). Grants additional mitigation: 25 MIT.] [Rank 3 Block Mod] Shield Bash [Active: Post Action. Energy: 6 EN. Cooldown: 2 Turns. Effect: Make an attack with an equipped shield. On a hit, deals (Base * 10) damage, stuns the enemy for one turn, and applies status and thorns (and variants)  enhancements present on the shield. Note: When calculating Base Damage for Shield Bash, Weapon Skills do not apply.] [Rank 5 Block Add-on] Rampart [Active: Free Action. Energy: 10 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Reduce final damage that would be dealt to you by 25% (rounded down). Effect lasts until the beginning of your next turn.] Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.] Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.] Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.] Inactive Extra Skills  Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect:As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.] Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.] Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.] Lady Luck [Active: Free Action. Energy: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Replace a single enhancement slot on your weapon with a random enhancement using the Appraiser’s Identification roll until the start of your next turn.] Combat Mastery Mitigation [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +6*tier Mitigation per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Mitigation enhancement caps.] Familiar Skills Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.] Sword Arts   Hide contents [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll. [x11] AOE-I (11 9 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x14] AOE-II (14 12 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. [x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn. [x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn. [x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT. [x16] TECH-E (17 15 EN) | RESTORATIVE STRIKE | A single-target sword art that restores HP to its user (10% of its final damage dealt as HP). [x12] TECH-F (11 9 + [2 * targets] EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn. [x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns. [x2] RAW-A (10 8 EN) | A single-target sword art that utilizes the [Thorns] of the individual against the enemy. Other types of enhancements that apply damage upon contact with the individual are also considered in improving the damage of this sword art (e.g. Immolation Potion/Frost Aura, etc.). Outgoing damage is considered mitigatable. Must have a weapon equipped to activate this sword art. Estate Buffs   Hide contents [Home] Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.] Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.] Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot.] Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.] Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.]

  

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

They’d left the town quickly, Nemo excited for the company, and Nari clearly in a rush to enter the garden and begin the trails of locating anything of value. Not that she was entirely waiting just for the garden to come into view – her hands and eyes plucking at any flowers and fruits that they passed along the way, following the road that wound deeper into the flowing fields beyond the Town of Beginning.

’It’s been some time since you visited, I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to return!’ Nemo beamed as he spoke, as if seeing an old friend for the first time in decades. There was an oddness to the non-player character that Nari had never quite come to terms with, and although she’d done her best to be friendly and welcoming of the man, she’d yet to leave the slight coldness behind entirely.

---

Post Action | Foraging
ID255768 | LD [6+1] = 7 | CD [9+1] = 10 | Failure

Edited Thursday at 12:40 AM by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’We’ve been a bit busy, as of late. It’s held us up from visiting as much.’ Nari side eyed the man-drake, a smile on her face and yet a coldness to her tone that was anything but cheery. She quickly added to her statement after a sharp elbow to the ribs from Onora, taking the queue to attempt to be a bit more pleasant. ’We’ve missed you and the garden, though. It was high time we came back and spent some time together, there.’

The words were anything but entirely truthful, and yet there was no lie in what she said. Nari had chosen her words carefully. Although many of the non-player characters seemed aloof and basic in nature, she’d come to learn that many were far more humanoid than they should be – or perhaps they were meant to be, and were only now developing into the personality they were designed to have. Whatever the case may have been, she’d learnt to be truthfully and professional, if not entirely polite and cheerful, when dealing with the characters that made up the general population of the world.

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Post Action | Foraging
ID255769 | LD [4+1] = 5 | CD [10+1] = 11 | Failure

Edited Thursday at 12:40 AM by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’Oh! It’s good to see you again as well, it’s been far, far too long! You don’t have to stay away, or be polite you know – the garden is always open to you for visiting!’ Nari sensed a deeper, almost desperate for attention tone beneath the words and kind smile. She’d learnt during a previous encounter just how lonely Nemo often got, and though she’d maintained a resentment towards the non-player character for some time, she’d thawed enough to feel a measure of pity towards his loneliness. A feeling that she herself had gone through, and wished upon no one else – even a computer generated being that may be nothing more than a figment of her imagination.

’Perhaps we’ve been a bit too polite and lax in attending your garden. We should make up for that, and visit more often.’ Nari glanced towards Onora, seeing the woman roll her eyes slightly at her, but a telling smile spreading across her face in kind. As much as she might pretend to be off put, she could tell that Onora was pleased with her treatment of the man-drake thus far.

---

Post Action | Foraging
ID255770 | LD [9+1] = 10 | CD [4+1] = 5 | Failure

Edited Thursday at 12:41 AM by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’I would be excited to host you!’ They carried on in silence for a time after the commentary, speaking only randomly and sporadically as they crossed to the edge of the floor. Nemo commented on various things they saw, Nari and Onora providing brief, albeit polite commentary in return. The two women allowed Nemo the chance to engage and be excited, but never pressed him into any sort of frenzy of socialness; instead, simply letting him express himself as he saw fit in the moment.

At some point Onora had linked arms with Nari, and although the knightess would’ve preferred to have her weapon and shield hands free for any dangers approaching them, she hadn’t wanted to break the contact either. She’d been entirely lost in thought at the touch though, and it wasn’t until Nemo spoke again that Nari realised they’d come to a stop.

’Alright, here we are!’ He held his hands out towards a somewhat familiar looking archway; an item that she had last seen on a different floor, for certain, but recognisable all the same. Stepping up to the archway, she looked through to see the garden beyond, hesitating only slightly before heading in and through.

---

Quest Objective | Travel to Little Eden
Post Action | Foraging
ID255771 | LD [1+1] = 2 | CD [11+1] = 12 | Failure

Edited Thursday at 12:45 AM by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari waited for Onora to make her way into the garden before glancing around wholly. The area was, as it almost always was, beautiful in a way that no other floors within the world of Aincrad had yet to manage. She couldn’t help but wonder at it all – the flowing fields, the trees and forests that seemed to range into the wilds beyond, and the various lakes, rivers and ponds that could be seen throughout.

’It’s…amazing, as it always is, Nemo.’ Nari flashed a grin at the man-drake, seeing him revel in the compliment and her true breathlessness at it all. She had little doubt that the man-drake truly lived, craved even, the compliments and comments he received upon his work.

’Thank you, I truly appreciate that!’ He followed the pair as Nari led them to a nearby river, pulling out a fishing rod she had recently purchased second hand – a bare piece, certainly, but one that she knew was well tested and capable. She settled herself on the ground, letting the line out into the centre of the river and relaxing a bit as she glanced towards Nemo once more, wondering at just how human the man-drake seemed.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255773 | LD [16] | CD [2] | Failure [+3 EXP | 3/49]

Edited 2 hours ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The line bobbed slightly, and Nari felt herself react instantly – the rod pulled back as she reeled in the line, hoping for something interesting as her first catch. She was, however, disappointed as the item slipped up onto the bank – a single leaf of some sort of sea plant that was anything but appealing.

’Well, it smells…fishy.’ Onora wrinkled her nose as Nari threw the item back into the water, ridding them of the smell and its presence. She reseated herself, choosing to ignore the comment and instead return to her attempts. She was only just starting out, so it was natural that her first few catches would be nothing more than absolute junk – if anything at all came up with her line. ’Are we going to be here a while?’

Nari gave a nod, and watched as Onora unpacked an item she had been working on recently. An intricate pattern of leathers, chain and cloth that had fallen into a beautiful design that Nari herself would’ve liked to have worn – except it was for a paying customer.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255774 | LD [3] | CD [5] | Failure [+3 EXP | 6/49]

Edited 2 hours ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

A measure of silence fell over the trio as they relaxed, Nemo content to mention small commentary once in a while as they simply sat; Nari’s line the one minor movement and sound against the pulling needle in Onora’s hand, and the winds that swept across the plains. Nari was careful to keep an eye on the roaming creatures that made up the population of the garden – wolves covered in moss, alien like creations that roamed oddly against the realistic world’s grasses, and small drakes that floated above the stalks of plants. None came close enough to be a concern, though Nari was sure that wouldn’t last forever.

’That’s a beautiful one, indeed.’ Nemo was glancing towards a small creature in the distance – it looked almost like every other drake Nari had seen, but she also knew that Nemo was more tuned in towards the beings that he kept safe in the garden; or at least as safe as they could be considered in this world.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255908 | LD [4] | CD [4] | Failure [+3 EXP | 9/49]

Edited 2 hours ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’Which one?’ Onora glanced up, looking across the field in the general direction that Nemo had been eyeing. It took her a few seconds, eyes casually scanning the area, before she seemed to spot whatever it was Nemo had seen. ’Ah, yeah…that one with the slightly shifting pattern? I do like the look of it.’

Nemo seemed to beam at the thought of someone else being eccentric about the creatures he kept, the sudden commentary launching him into an explanation of the thing’s arrival, conception or whatever else had brought it into existence. Nari listened for only a few moments, before tuning their conversation out and focusing on her fishing – not that she’d had any success at it yet. She was wondering if it was a matter of her newfound skill, or if the small riverbed before her was empty of fish – though she’d sworn she’d seen some movement within it earlier.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255909 | LD [11] | CD [7] | +1 Material [+8 EXP | 17/49]

Edited 2 hours ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’Well, this is going well.’ Nari had finally managed to snaggle a smaller sized fish, the scaled thing flopping onto the ground beside her before she managed to carve into it with the small knife she’d brought along – another piece of the fishing gear she’d acquired with her new skillset. She was careful to cut away the pieces that were most important, watching as the excess and waste disappeared into nothingness. ’How’s the piece coming along, Onora?’

The blonde gave a soft sigh, waving her hand over it as if to declare some sort of broader response, before simply shaking her head and returning to work. Nari knew it had been giving her a measure of pain and suffering for some time now – the piece due to the purchaser within the next day, and yet anywhere but near completion. She’d wanted to offer some measure of assistance, but the skills of a tailor were still something she’d yet to collect – and she wasn’t even sure she wanted to, if she were being entirely honest.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255910 | LD [9] | CD [6] | Failure [+3 EXP | 20/49]

Edited 2 hours ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Success wasn’t coming easy as Nari drew the line back in once more. Another empty haul greeted her, the hook glittering softly against the sunlight coming down from above. She glanced upwards, considering how naturally she considered the light in the sky sunlight, now. She could barely remember a time where she hadn’t considered it a sun – though it was clearly nothing star like in reality, beyond simply being a provision of light that allowed one to see their surroundings. Still, in her mind she’d accepted it as sunlight – as had most other players that Nari had come across, when commenting on the matter at hand.

’Fangled thing wants to be difficult.’ Onora’s voice brought Nari back into the moment, remembering that she had asked a question to begin with. The blonde woman had placed the thread and needle down for the moment, her eyes closed as she attempted to regain some measure of calmness against the otherwise frustrating task she had placed upon herself.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255920 | LD [20] | CD [4] | Failure [+3 EXP | 23/49]

Edited 1 hour ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari could easily empathise with the frustration that Onora was feeling, as she pulled in another empty line. She barely remembered the difficulties she’d had when she first started out as a forager, though she didn’t remember them being this trying. Could simply be that it was so long ago you’ve forgotten, though. Hindsight really does make everything seem…different than it was. And now that you’re great at foraging…at least somewhat… She sighed as she remember the lack of any materials she’d found on the way in – as if a foreshadowing to how her day of fishing was about to commence.

’At least it’s nice in here today.’ Onora glanced up alongside Nari – not quite directly at the sun, as it would still damage their eyes, even being artificial. Nari couldn’t stop herself from nodding in agreement. She normally didn’t care too much about the weather – so long as it wasn’t so hot that she was cooked within her armours, it could be just about any climate or condition. Today, though, she found it perfect. Enjoyable, even.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255921 | LD [11] | CD [3] | Failure [+3 EXP | 26/49]

Edited 1 hour ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’It really is.’ Nari pulled in the line again, sighing to herself as she saw the glint of empty hook in the air above the water. She tossed the line back into the water, determined to at least make the most of the time. She knew coming here that she wasn’t going to be experience an abundance of success – one never did, when starting out anything in Aincrad; a fact that Cardinal seemed to ensure. Still, she’d been hoping her success rates would be at least slightly better than they had been thus far – though, Onora would say that just meant they’ll pick up if she kept at it.

’One could almost stay here forever, if they didn’t know better.’ Onora was still staring at the sky when Nari glanced over, and she seemed to have said the comment without a second thought. It had been a joke, or a measure of sarcasm, that neither one had stated in quite some time. They’d come to a silent agreement sometime in the past, that they would tread carefully about the commentary of being trapped within the world – whether meant in jest, or in truth, it always seemed to be uncomfortable for one of the two. Best to just not mention it, they’d realised.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255922 | LD [15] | CD [7] | +1 Material | Treasure Chest [+16 EXP | 42/49]
ID255923 | LD [13] | Open Treasure Chest | Unidentified Perfect Armour/Shield {1}, Unidentified Rare Armour/Shield {1}

Edited 1 hour ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’Sorry.’ Onora glanced towards Nari, recognising the stare and the meaning behind it. She flushed slightly, as if embarrassed by the slip up she had made, or the reaction she’d received – or perhaps both. Nari shook her head, wanting to say it didn’t really matter, that there was no reason to be sorry. The words, however, didn’t come out. She knew that it wouldn’t entirely be truthful. Even this long into the game, or perhaps because of how long it had been, the simple comment seemed to strike deep; as if giving up on the possibility of escape was becoming more and more of a reality for far too many people.

’Well, you’re always welcome to visit, whenever you want!’ Nemo shined as he injected his own commentary into the situation, entirely misreading the issue at hand, and likely unaware of the broader implications of everything being said. Not that either of the ladies could blame the man, Cardinal likely having kept any awareness of the world beyond his own from his knowledge.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255924 | LD [12] | CD [6] | Failure [+3 EXP | 45/49]

Edited 1 hour ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’Thanks, Nemo. The invite is always appreciated.’ Nari tossed a grin that was meant to be pleasant towards the man, responding after a few seconds of awkward silence. She hadn’t been entirely sure, at first, why she had even bothered responding. Sure, she was trying to keep the non-player character from being sad – but the man likely didn’t feel sadness towards their silence, so much as a lull in the conversation – a point that it simply fell into a docile state, as many had explained and theorised. For Nari, however, it felt wrong to simple ignore the man and his comment; especially when he seemed to be trying to cheer them up. ’We’ll definitely be making more frequent trips to visit, won’t we Onora?’

The blonde nodded in response, the awkwardness and frigidness that had seemed to begun to settle, thawing almost instantly as the words came more smoothly from Nari and Nemo. ’Yeah, yeah we will. We’ve put off visiting too much, I think…and that’s a tragedy, when you look at everything you’ve done around here. That paddock is new, isn’t it?’

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255925 | LD [5] | CD [2] | Failure [+3 EXP | 48/49]

Edited 1 hour ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nemo and Onora chatted for a while about the distant paddock – a piece that Nari hadn’t even noticed until Onora had pointed it out, containing a collection of horse like creatures within that seemed content to be locked away. Likely for their own safety, with the numerous predators that roamed the fields in search of their next meal. Something about the horse creatures caught Nari’s eye, the shifting black and white similar to a zebra – and yet the horns upon their heads signified them as some sort of fantastical creature.

’You always have such amazing creatures and beings here, Nemo. Where do you find them all?’ Nari interjected when the two had completed their commentary on the paddock itself, her question causing the now excited man to launch into a tale of various travels he’d conducted, and the things he had found during those expeditions. Nari let the rod shift slightly as she listened, content to relax a bit in the moment – even if she wasn’t finding any success with the rod and line, she was at least finding success in calming herself and enjoying the moment.

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Post Action | Fishing
ID255926 | LD [19] | CD [4] | Failure [+3 EXP | 51/149] | Rank 2 Achieved

Edited 1 hour ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Time seemed to both stall, and flash before Nari’s eyes as she listened to Nemo explaining the various journeys’ he’d partaken to find the creatures, mythical and majestic as he described them, across the world of Aincrad. At points she found herself laughing, giggling and crying as he explained humorous events that occurred, and in alternation she oft found herself reduced to depressive moments as something went wrong – usually the death of a rare and special being that he had search long for, across various areas of Aincrad.

’…I’d almost had it, truly, but then the dragon appeared before me and I realised that maybe now wasn’t the time.’ Onora snorted from the side of Nari, having settled into a laid down position, using the knightesses’ lap as her personal pillow. Not that Nari had said anything in contest of the action, though she had been forced to be slightly more careful with line and hook being cast outwards and reeled back. ’Alas, I wish I’d stood my ground more firmly, but cousins will be cousins, and you know how that goes.’

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Post Action | Fishing
ID255927 | LD [5] | CD [12] | +1 Material [+8 EXP | 59/149]

Edited 42 minutes ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She wasn’t entirely sure that she did know how it went, and yet Nari found herself understanding at the same time, somehow. An odd case wherein she knew she didn’t necessarily need to experience it, to understand it – the suggestion behind the words telling her everything she needed to know, without telling her anything at all. Social constructs and behaviours are weird. She shook her head to herself, knowing that thought was the exact same one she’d had years ago – long before she’d even considered joining the virtual world, let alone becoming a member of Aincrad.

’Sure, sure. But at least you know you didn’t separate two beings that rely upon one another, right? I mean there was a clear indication, or at least an obvious one now, that they needed each other for continued survival. And tearing them apart, well…’ Onora didn’t need to finish the sentence. They all knew that it would have been a tragic ending for someone – though Nari wasn’t entirely sure whether Nemo could sympathise with that or not. Computer generated programs were sometimes odd about their emotional response and understandings at times.

---

Post Action | Fishing
ID255928 | LD [9] | CD [3] | Failure [+3 EXP | 62/149]

Edited 36 minutes ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’That’s true, that’s true…still, a prized collection they would have made as a pair, no?’ Nemo grinned as Onora sighed, clearly misreading her reaction to the comment. Nari knew that the blonde was exasperated by the inability to see the creatures as free beings, capable of making their own way in life – Nemo, on the other hand, seeing their value within his garden; safe, certainly, but contained and incapable of expanding or exploring. Or doing anything that a free animal, being or creature would be capable of doing.

’Perhaps, but isn’t it nice to consider allowing some things to be free. To escape beyond the confines – protecting confines, certainly - but confines no less. Would you want to spend the remainder of your days here, unable to go out and find new treasures. New things to add to your garden?’ Her words seemed to make the non-player character pause, a feat in and of itself as far as Nari was concerned. She’d never truly stumped one of the characters before, much less one as intellectually designed as Nemo, and she felt a small moment of pride as the silence grew.

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Post Action | Fishing
ID255929 | LD [11] | CD [5] | Failure [+3 EXP | 65/149]

Edited 33 minutes ago by Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

’Perhaps…perhaps you’re right, somewhat. It would be a shame to be locked away for eternity, unable to explore and find and discover…’ Nari suddenly glanced at Onora with concern, wondering if she had somehow broken Nemo’s foundation of existence. She’d meant nothing more than to present a counter argument, but the man seemed to be lost deeper and deeper in thought as the seconds ticked away, and she wondered if she had somehow created some game altering moment right then and there. ’Still, though. Sometimes being given a place to live and survive is more important than being free – think of how many of my saved beings would be extinct if they were still in the wildlands of some of the parts of this world. Devastation and destruction has rendered many areas entirely uninhabitable, leaving nowhere for them to roam and feed, much less find a home.’

Nari felt the need to sigh in response, as much in relief that she hadn’t somehow broken everything as to the fact that Nemo was stuck in his ways and thoughts. She had no more argument in her, however, and turned her attention back to line and water, hoping that Onora would have something more to add to the conversation.

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Post Action | Fishing
ID255930 | LD [11] | CD [10] | +1 Material | Treasure Chest [+16 EXP | 81/149]
ID255931 | LD [17+1] = 18 | Unidentified Perfect Weapons {2}, Unidentified Rare Weapon {1}

Edited 27 minutes ago by Nari-Lanreth