[PP-F01] Fields Between Us

[Scar 0]

The message was very brief, almost like a casual one, it was just enough to stir one's interest, but was too vague to be taken seriously.

Scar --> Alinta: I heard a rumor about something unusual in the grasslands near Tolbana. Thought you might want to take a look.

Obviously, there was no rumor. No hiding, no rare monsters. It was just an excuse, a pretext to get her out here. To get her to meet him. He didn't need a quest to spend time with her, but the world of Aincrad was full of pretexts, little pushes, and excuses that sounded plausible.

Jack stood at the edge of the gently rolling plains, near the trail that led out from Tolbana toward the quieter stretches of the floor. The sun was dipping low behind distant hills, painting the sky in molten oranges and soft golds. A warm breeze danced across the grass, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers and the earthy tang of the nearby forests. Fireflies flickered faintly in the tall grass, their soft glow blinking like tiny stars scattered across the landscape. The plains themselves stretched wide and free, dotted with low hills and meandering streams, inviting wanderers to lose themselves in the view.

He shifted his weight slightly, leaning against a sturdy tree, brushing his fingers along the rough bark. The scimitar at his hip rested lazily, more a habit than a readiness for combat, here, there was nothing to fight. Absolutely none, perhaps apart from the nervousness in his chest. He had spent too long in this game watching players come and go, friends vanish into quests or deaths, and yet now he waited here, not for glory or danger, but for the possibility of a shared moment.

He ran a hand through his hair, smirking faintly as he imagined her arriving. Alinta. She was always so speedy and accurate in her observations, so incisive and skeptical, but when she was caught off guard, she was very lovable. Averted eyes looking incredulously at the rumor as she probably thought and her suspicious gaze turning dagger-like, but later when she realized there was no danger, slowly letting go of the tension. Smiling a little more, the rare, natural smile which he had become quite fond of seeing without fail.

Jack's eyes roamed over the plains, the setting sun making the skin of his face warm. He watched a flock of birds take flight over the hills, the way their shadows danced across the swaying grass. He could hear the faint calls of distant wildlife: a boar in the far reaches of the plains, the soft chirp of an unseen bird, the whisper of wind over the uneven ground. The further world was quiet here, almost to a point of being a bit too much, and he seldom let himself see it that way.

"Let's see if she takes the bait," he whispered with a smile on his face. He was not impatient though, he was capable of waiting. There was time. Time for the slow walk, the easy talk, the soft laughter that might be exchanged between them if she came of her own accord. He imagined sharing the sunset, walking together along the grassy hills, perhaps even pointing out far-off landmarks she had never seen before was how he pictured it.

Jack was tightening the strap of his jacket and took another look at the sunset, the sun was just about to go down. There was nobody on the plains making them look tranquil and perfect, they weren't affected by the players running quests or fighting over loot. Here, the world seemed endless, yet very personal, just like a lovely sunny afternoon had been painted out on a canvas. He smirked again, imagining her rolling her eyes at his pretense of a rumor, and yet coming anyway. He could already feel it: the way the conversation would flow, the comfortable silences, the way the golden light might catch her hair just so.

And so he waited. Not for adventure. Not for combat. Not even for treasure. He waited for Alinta. For the rare, simple thing he had come to value above all else: her company. The sun down further, shadows stretched long across the plains, and Jack, with a faint smile of contentment, leaned back against the tree.

* * *

Spoiler

Scar | HP: 140/140 | EN: 32/32 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 4

WC: 721

@Alinta

Edited yesterday at 09:25 AM by Scar

[Alinta 0]

Alinta was sitting in the small room, naught but a bed, dresser, mirror, and an adjoined bathroom/shower combo. All basic needs covered, nothing more. Nothing less. She was sitting on her windowsill, people watching. Something she usually did often in the evenings. Too scared to go out and enjoy the festivities of what little nightlife the Town of Beginnings offered. Too shy to approach a friendly face. It'd be nice...if she could reach out to a few more people but there were only two on her friendlist. Oscar, and Scar.  

The last time she had seen Scar she had dragged him across a desert, engulfed him in a sandstorm and subjected him to terrible temperatures. So Alinta hadn't reached out to him since. 

"Hmmm?" A tilt of her head when a message popped up in the corner of her vision. The woman would open it, and she couldn't help but laugh. Speak of the devil. Sinners Mask indeed.

Scar --> Alinta: I heard a rumor about something unusual in the grasslands near Tolbana. Thought you might want to take a look.
Alinta--> Scar: What? Outside the safe zone?

"Huh?" He...wanted to meet up with her? The woman pushed herself off the windowsill and set about getting ready. Brushing her hair and throwing it up in a ponytail, out of her face, and out of her way. She had already began to throw on extra accessories, subconsciously...wanting to look nice for him. An extra pin in her hair, dangling earrings, and a headband. But...wait... Tolbana? She could go there...but a sense of unease sat in the pit of her stomach. Alinta didn't like leaving the safe zones alone. Half ready, she sent another message to Scar.

Alinta --> Scar: It's almost night time is it even safe? I still don't have anything. But If you give me 20 minutes I can be there. I'll pay for an escort service to get me there or something. Do I need to dress a certain way? 

Alinta didn't wait for him to reply, she wanted to dress up, so she did. Long flowing dress with gold accents that would match her accessories. Even in a game, she wanted to be well dressed. Too much pride in her appearance. She may not be able to fight yet but she could at least look good...wait. What if he told her to dress down? Another message his way.

Alinta--> Scar: Forget I asked that. It's fine. You're fine.
Alinta--> Scar: I mean, I'm fine.

Alinta--> Scar: I'll see you soon.

Flustered the woman headed out the door, making a straight beeline toward the teleport plaza. Ignoring a catcall or two. Arriving in Tolbana didn't set Alinta at ease, it only stirred the feeling in her stomach. Was this too much? Should she just switch to her basic attire? It wasn't like this was a date or anything. Long and steady steps lead her toward the outskirts of Tolbana. A nervous look on her face as she chewed on her thumbnail. 

The woman couldn't help but pause at the threshold of the city. One step between the safe zone and the field. Uncertain... was this...going to be okay?
 

Alinta --> Scar: How...far out of Tolbana are you? It's getting dark. Is this a quest or something? Does it have to be night time?

Hesitation...He...wouldn't lead her astray. Right? 

"You good, miss?"

"Huh?" Alinta looked up to see a man clad in some kind of hard leather armor. A little rough around the edges, real woodsman type. "I...yes, no. I mean. Do you offer escort services?"

The man raised a bushy black eyebrow, his eyes trailing up and down what she was wearing. "I'm going to need clarification on that one, miss. If you askin' No I'm not interested." He'd hold up a hand as if to let her down gently. "Not sayin' you aren't a looker or anything. Just. Not really my thing." He'd offer her a tip of his head. "Wishin' you a good evenin' miss. Be safe." And he gave her a tilt of his had before scurrying back into town. Seemingly flustered. The hell? She just wanted an escort till she ran into Scar.

"Dammit..." Alinta sighed, opening up a message to Scar again.

Alinta --> Scar: I tried to ask someone about escort services but they weren't interested. I'll start on the path out the city but please try to find me soon...I don't do well outside safe zones alone.

 

And with that, the woman took a deep breath and a big step over that invisible line. Through the invisible barrier. Nothing felt any different. The air was cool but not cold, and the scent of fresh grass hung in the air. Cautious steps lead the woman away from the town. Away from her comfort zone. Scar was worth it.

ALINTA OMBRE | HP: 560/560 | EN: 74/74 | DMG: 1 | LD:2 | True Tier 2

 

WC:523
@Scar

Edited 23 hours ago by Alinta

[Scar 0]

Without a doubt, Jack understood that Alinta was moving a little bit farther than she normally would. The message came in so quickly, one after another, that they showed her indecision and discomfort, and he could not refrain from feeling a sudden desire to protect her. With such a motive Jack was the last person to abandon her out there, even for a moment. He had invited her out under the guise of a rumor, a pretext for this low-key date, but seeing her nervousness reminded him how much she valued safety. He didn't want her to feel abandoned out here, not even for a moment.

Without wasting a second, he adjusted his shirt and jacket, making sure he looked presentable for the meeting. No matter how urgent it felt to reach her, he couldn't arrive looking disheveled. Hair brushed back, jacket clean, boots tied tightly, comfortable but neat, he set off.

Entering Tolbana, he scanned the familiar streets, the warm glow from the fountain square casting long shadows across the cobblestone. He checked the usual exits toward the outskirts, and still no sign of her. His brow tightened. "Damn it.. I should've just waited in town for her," he said, scolding himself and kicking the ground. She had asked about an escort service, and the thought hit him, Maybe someone in town had seen her leave. Looking for assistance beyond the walls. He began asking around, casually but urgently.

"I'm looking for a woman.. Porcelain skin, long crimson hair, moving towards the outskirts," he explained, careful to emphasize features that made her unmistakable. A few people shook their heads, uncertain. Then, finally, a vendor nodded. "I think I saw someone like that heading out past the northern edge," they said. Relief washed over him. "Thanks," he muttered, voice low but sincere. Without hesitation, he broke into a run.

The first thing he saw was her wandering along the edge of the woods on the grasslands and looking very precautions, every step she took seemed to be a test of the ground. He slowed briefly, straightening his jacket and brushing a hand through his hair, ensuring he looked calm and presentable. Then he dashed again, closing the distance quickly. 

As he reached her, he tapped her shoulder lightly, gentle but deliberate, the same small gesture he had used the last time they had been together. She turned, startled, and he allowed himself a small grin. "Hey," he said, voice warm and steady. "Thought I'd make sure you weren't wandering alone."

He positioned himself just enough to guide her turn subtly, presenting a playful, lighthearted moment without intruding. "There you are," he said, a teasing lilt in his tone. "Couldn't let you go any further without me."

Jack took a moment to glance around at the plains stretching into the distance. The air carried the scent of fresh grass and the faint tang of evening dew. He felt the quiet tension in her posture, the cautiousness in her steps, and he wanted to reassure her simply by being there.

"You're fine," he said, voice gentle but firm. "I've got you. No need for anyone else to escort you."

He held out a hand, palm up, not pressing, just offering a choice. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the plains. Jack took a slow, deliberate breath. This wasn't about rumors or quests. This wasn't about monsters or danger. It was about being present, being steady, and letting her know she could rely on him tonight.

"Ready?" he asked softly, tilting his head, letting his tone be light and teasing. "Let's check out this rumor together."

He didn't rush her. He didn't force the pace. He simply stayed close, a calm presence beside her, letting her set the rhythm. Tonight, the adventure wasn't about what lay beyond the safe zone. It was about the quiet, low-key moments they could share, walking side by side across the plains.

* * *

WC: 659

[Alinta 0]

Alinta jumped when she felt something brush against her shoulder, a quick step forward and a turn on her heel - but...She exhaled seeing Scar behind her. Did she somehow manage to pass him? "Scar!" The exclamation came out in almost a squeal as she saw him, her face brightened. It was so nice to see him again. Having him message her was one thing, but seeing him here in the flesh...another. "You messaged me!" Alinta said as she clasped her hands together. "I mean...after last time. I wasn't sure...but - Oh! It's good to see you again. What have you been up to?" She stepped closer to him, picking up a single leaf from his shoulder and allowing it to fall to the floor between them. Her eyes scanned his features. The slight rise and fall of his shoulders suggested he had ran. Was he late? But he invited her? His hair was brushed back and clothes looked freshly ironed. "You look good." Alinta said, reaching out to smooth a single crease in his jacket. "You didn't dress up for me, did you?" A tease. Hoping it would distract him from the fact she had done that very same thing for him.

 "I've got you. No need for anyone else to escort you."

"Honestly...." Alinta huffed as she crossed her arms. "All I did was ask the man if he was interested in escort services. You should have seen the look he gave me! said no and practically ran away with his tail between his legs." Her lips pursed into a pout as Scar started laughing. "What?" Alinta asked. "He seemed like he was capable, I don't see whats so....oh....." It slowly dawned on the woman. She had asked a stranger if he was interested in escort services...she was lingering at the entrance to Tolbana...and she was dressed in fine silks and sheer cloths. "I...Oh FUCK." Alinta swore as she slapped her hands to her cheeks. "I fucking- he thought I was offering MY services!?" Alinta stammered. Scar was laughing louder now. "I'm not- I wouldn't! I meant for him to bring me to You! Scar!" She said his name with a whine and a groan, feeling completely embarrassed. A part of her wanted to leave right then and there, but there was something absolutely endearing about his laugh. She grumbled. "You're lucky I like that sound." She grumbled, stepping toward him and grabbing his hand. She offered it a tight squeeze.

"So..." Her eyes shifted past him, toward the forest. The suns light filtered through dappled leaves. There was a sweet scent that lingered in the air, but Alinta wasn't sure if it was a nearby patch of flowers, or if it was Scar. The woman would rest her chin on his shoulder in thought. Was there actually any rumour? Or was he using it as an excuse to see her? "Awfully convenient...to have the rumour in what seems like a safe area. During twilight hours, almost romantic." Alinta would shrug, stepping in close to Scar.

"Too bad we're just chasing a rumour. So, lead the way. Scar of the Northern Desert."

Rumour or not...Alinta was just happy to be here. She hadn't really realized how ostracized she had been, how lonely, not till she had met him. Funny...the main reason she had approached him at the ball was because he was by the food, nothing more, nothing less. But an undeniable magnetism and hushed whispers between the two that night lead her to wanting more. Addicting...he wasn't wrong about that.

WC: 591
@Scar

[Scar 0]

Jack was momentarily speechless. Alinta's exclamation of his name still rang in his ears, warm and bright, and her smile, genuine, unguarded, hit him harder than he expected. When she asked what he'd been up to, he opened his mouth to reply, but the words caught somewhere between his chest and his throat.

Her violet eyes were captivating, glimmering with that same curious light he remembered from the first time they met. The kind of light that made the world around her fade to a blur. For someone who usually had a sharp tongue and quicker wit, he found himself speechless.

"I've been.." he began, rubbing the back of his neck. "Checking out the other floors. Trying to see what's out there." He gave a weak shrug and his eyes reflected the sky for a brief moment. "There's a lot to explore, jungles, ruins, even a few places that feel like another world entirely." His smile was soft and warm. "But it's not as fun when I think back to the last time we went out together."

The time that she laughed had been kept in his memory; it was that particular sound which seemed to pierce even the heaviness of this strange, digital world. And now, standing here, it struck him again just how much brighter things felt around her.

When she reached out and smoothed the crease in his jacket, his breath hitched slightly. His concentration for that moment was completely lost as he felt only the slight touch of her fingers, the almost invisible scent of her perfume and the way gold parts of her dress caught the dim light of the sun going down and glittered.

"You look.." he was starting but words got mixed up with one another before he could take control. "I-" He stopped momentarily, did a big swallow and with effort brought the words out. "You look amazing."

What he said was much softer than he thought and almost with awe. The fact that she was smiling, only a very slight one, helped support his theory that maybe, at least for him, the world had moved a little to the side.

While she was making fun of her meeting with the so-called "escort," he couldn't hold it, the laughter just came from him loudly and he was not able to restrain it. It wasn't cruel, just pure amusement. She was flustered, cheeks flushed pink, words tumbling out in a panic as realization dawned on her. The harder she tried to explain herself, the more endearing she became.

"Escort services, huh?" he managed between laughs, rubbing at his eyes. "You really have a way with words, Alinta."

She pouted, swore under her breath, and that only made it worse. Jack had to force himself to breathe, to calm down enough to speak. "You're lucky," she grumbled. "You're lucky I like that sound."

And just like that, when she grabbed his hand, her fingers intertwining with his, the laughter faded, replaced by something softer. His heart gave a traitorous flutter. He didn't squeeze too tightly, just enough to let her know he was there, solid and real.

When she came a little closer and looked toward the woods, Jack also looked in that direction. The sun was down almost completely and it was painting the clouds with scarlet and blue colors. The dancing lights from lantern bugs could be seen in the field and their yellow light was going unnoticed as night was coming fast.

Her words came then, a bit flattering, but sharp enough to make him clear his throat. "Awfully convenient...to have the rumor in what seems like a safe area. During twilight hours, almost romantic."

Caught.

He could feel the warmth creeping up his neck, and he tried to hide it behind a smirk. "Yeah.. Too bad," he said, forcing a chuckle. "But the night's still young. There won't be anything that disturbs our peace." He turned slight toward her, voice lowering just a touch. "For I, Scar of the Northern Desert, am here to protect you."

A hand dramatic on his chest, he was trying to play it off as theatrical but the smile that tugged at his lips was real.

"Lead the way, huh?" he echoed her earlier words. "How about.. we walk for a bit first?"

She didn't protest.

They moved side by side, the sound of glass brushing beneath their boots accompanying the quiet rhythm of the night. The wind was soft, cool against their skin, carrying the faint scent of flowers from somewhere unseen.  Lanterns were not long visible and they were left with only specks of light from the town of Tolbana.

Jack couldn't take his eyes off her at times. Noticing how a few hairs of her bright red hair shone under the moonlight and the slight waving of her dress material with each step he took. He was not good at getting the words of the delicate talks but the silence between them was not tense it was peaceful and the two of them were in their comfort zone.

"This place.." he whispered after a period of time. "It doesn't feel like a game sometimes." His tone was thoughtful, almost wistful. "Nights like this make it hard to remember where we really are."

Looking up to him with wonder in her eyes, she saw him flashing a faint smile. "Well.. maybe it is not that bad after all."

The path bent around a knoll that gave a view of the prairies. From that point the stars seemed to go on forever above them, the sky was pitch black, making the stars look even more brilliant. Jack slowed to a stop, motioning for her to look. "Worth stepping outside the safe zone for?" he asked, softly teasing but sincere.

This one time, he didn't think of levels, monsters or rumors. Just her, standing there in the starlight, smiling, the wind tugging gently at her hair.

Yeah, he thought. Definitely worth it.

* * *

WC: 997

@Alinta

[Alinta 0]

It was nice to hear about what Scar had been up to the last few days, he had been doing things. Exploring. Learning. What had she been doing? Literally nothing. She explored Tolbana, tried to visit Oscars restaurant, but it was closed. Then … she was just looking up different builds. Trying to figure out what skills to go for. Cooped up in her own little world and yet… here he was. Living his life. Meeting people. “That’s…nice…I haven’t-”

"But it's not as fun when I think back to the last time we went out together."

“What?” His words caught her off guard. He had fun being buffeted by sandstorms? What was she supposed to say to that? “I…” a pause as she tried to piece together her thoughts. She…hated the sand, and the heat…and how slow Zamek had shuffled along but. “I had fun with you. You…made it bearable, made me want to do more. Be more. I enjoyed it. I just wasn’t sure it was mutual.” Alinta couldn’t help but give a relieved laugh. “It’s good to know it is!”

"You look amazing."

A pause, and a hitch in her breath, he had noticed. A warmth in her cheeks at the way he complimented her, breathless and earnest - three simple words caused her head to spin. They shared such intimate words during the masquerade and yet somehow this affected her so much more. It felt more real, more intimate. The way his eyes shifted away - the way the wind would pick up strands of his hair and his scent. Alinta managed to pick herself up and offered him a grin. “I know I do. It’s not like I dressed up for you. But - “ A pause as her free hand reached up to run over the front of his suit. “It’s a good thing I did, so I could match you.”

Their outfits did compliment each other. The evening was beginning to feel more and more like a date. With a gentle tug. “Did you plan this?” Alinta asked. If he did, she was impressed. The night was perfect. The breeze gentle, carrying a residual warmth from the setting sun. The air was clean. There wasn’t the hustle of noise that the towns always had. It was peaceful.

"You know..." Alinta said quietly, watching the sun as it slowly began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in a warm haze of amber that dipped into purple, then to midnight blue of the night. She fell quiet. Watching the sunset out here was so different than watching it up in that tiny room in the middle of the city. She had been cooped up for so long. Just how much of this had she missed?

"I forget how beautiful this place can be…I got so used to watching the same sunrise, the same clouds…the same flock of birds. It felt so monotonous.” 

She’d het her thumb graze over his hand, the final light dipping below the horizon. “I don’t want to be that person anymore.” She didn’t want to confine herself to the cities, to the first few floors. “I want to see every single floor the frontliners unlocked. I want to be strong enough to not jump at my own shadow…and yet…” A pause as she pulled her hand away. “Is it selfish of me to also say I don’t want to get involved too much in the whole frontline effort?” Alinta asked. It felt like everything always led to that. She hated the idea of risking her life. Why should she? Why would she? It made no sense.

“I just want more moments like this with you, the quiet ones that make this feel like life, and not a game. Moments where we follow a little old man into a sandstorm, hell - maybe I could even fight a dragon with you one day.”

Her hand found its way back into his.

“I don’t really know who I am. Or what I’m doing. But nights like this, with you. Its worth it.”

WC: 657

@Scar

[Scar 0]

Jack smiled as Alinta spoke, watching how the sunset painted her in hues of amber and rose gold. Every word she said carried that mix of sincerity and hesitation he'd come to recognize in her, the same blend that drew him closer every time. The fact that she is not like the rest of the people in the world which he has met, he realized. She felt genuine, vulnerable even, and that made her glow in a way nothing else could.

When she asked if he'd planned out their day his breath caught for a second. The edges of his lips moved up in a guilty smile, and he chuckled, trying to brush it off casually. "Plan? Me? No, no.. just luck, I guess."

But even as he said it, the first lantern flickered to life on the side of the dirt path ahead, a soft orange glow that shimmered faintly against the encroaching dusk. Then another lit up, and another, forming a winding trail that curved gently through the open fields ahead.

He held back his grin with all his might. He was giving it away that, yes, maybe he had planned this part. The lanterns were temporary event props, set to appear only when triggered by proximity, each one dissolve into crystalline blue fragments once passed. It wasn't who they were that mattered. It was how they lit up her face and how she looked at them was like tiny stars.

Her searching gaze enveloped nature and Jack felt pierced with her sight. "Guess we're being guided somewhere," he said lightly, though his pulse betrayed his calm tone. The moment he desired to be perfectly execute his timing, making it seem as if it were a world of their own, unfolding just for them, had come.

They walked slowly along the glowing path. The night had settled by now, but the air was still warm, touched with the last breath of the day. Crickets hummed faintly in the distance, the sound blending with the rustle of grass and the soft pop of lanterns dissolving into blue diamonds behind them.

He thought of it to be true that Alinta had spoken about the nature of Tolbana and how she could not remember it other than from her window, and he grinned in response to it. There was something wistful in her voice that tugged at him.

"I always found these sunsets and sunrises to be beautiful," he said in a hushed voice, still looking ahead. Without any hesitation, he turned to her, voice soft but sure. "But I was so wrong.. they're much more gorgeous when you're the centerpiece."

For a brief moment, silence followed, only the lantern light and the faint breeze between them. Jack didn't backpedal. He didn't laugh it off or try to play it cool. He was sincere with every word he uttered.

When she asked if it was selfish to not want to fight on the frontlines, he shook his head slowly. He could feel her uncertainty even through the soft grip of her hand. His thumb brushed gently over her knuckles in reassurance.

"I don't think it's selfish at all," he said after a pause. "Not everyone has to be a hero swinging a sword at every monster out there. Wanting to live, to just exist in moments like this, that's not selfish."

He looked ahead, the glow of the next lantern painting his face in faint gold. "If anything," he added with a small smile, "I'd take your place and head to the frontlines myself. I don't mind taking the hit if it means you get to keep your peace."

Her answer, something between warmth and vulnerability, hit him square in the chest. When she talked about wanting moments like this, about wanting to feel alive, something inside him softened completely. He turned his head, the faintest chuckle escaping his lips.

In a nearly inaudible voice, "If it could give me more time with you, I would turn my blade against the whole world."

He didn't intend to be that serious. However, the truth that came out was beyond his control. He didn't regret it.

The two of them continued down the path, lanterns flickering and bursting into light one by one, until the final one shimmered ahead, larger, brighter than the rest. When they stepped past it, the faint glow revealed a lake tucked quietly within a grove of willow trees. The surface reflected the moon like a mirror, scattering silver ripples that danced with every passing breeze.

Jack slowed to a stop beside her. "Guess this is where the rumor ends," he said softly, but his voice carried a different kind of tone now, one that hinted that this was what he'd been waiting for all along.

Without rushing to fill the empty moment, Jack turned his eyes to the lake. Only then, upon hearing her words that she did not quite know herself and that she was just lost, did he sense that tenderness breaking in his heart.

Jack stepped just slightly behind her and, with a faint shimmer of pixel, reached into his inventory. There was quiet flicker as he materialized what he'd been saving for the right moment, a simple bouquet of flowers, each petal glowing faintly with blue data light. They weren't real, but in this world, they didn't need to be.

He hid them behind his back, taking a steadying breath before saying softly, "Then maybe that's the fun of it. Figuring it out as you go."

Her partial turn caught the light of the silver moon that was reflected on her face and he was speaking in a low murmur. "And if you ever forget who you are.. I'll remind you."

When she looked up at him, his hand emerged from behind his back, offering her the bouquet, the glow of the flowers mirrored in the shimmer of the lake behind them.

For once, the silence between them didn't need to be filled. It said everything neither of them dared to yet.

* * *

WC: 1008

@Alinta

[Alinta 0]

Scar told her he hadn’t planned this, and Alinta, not knowing any better, believed his sheepish lie at that moment. She laughed, “Haha. Could’ve fooled me. I didn’t know places like this existed….and this is only the first floor.” Such a sweet gesture, nothing more than one offer to spend time together - and already Alinta was realizing how much she missed. Too busy being afraid to live. Alinta had met people in Aincrad, they had come and gone, like little blips on a radar - sailing off to sea. To greater things. Before Scar the closest thing she had to a companion was Oscar, and well, he was a difficult man to track down.

Lanterns flickered to life along the path they walked. “Whoa…” Alinta couldn’t help but pause, slipping her hand away from Scar so she could kneel down and look at one of them. A light poke of her finger. “This is so interesting. It’s like magic…” She glanced down the path they had walked and caught sight of one dissolving into a small burst of fragmented data, it was akin to a mini firework, cyan glimmers… “I didn’t see anything like this on the quest board…” She whispered in awe. “So…” She looked up at him. “You really did find a rumour? I’m impressed!”

"Guess we're being guided somewhere," 

Alinta straightened herself and dusted her hands off, and it wasn’t till they were walking down the path again, hand in hand, shoulders brushing against each other that she realized how naturally and comfortably she had slipped back into a position by his side. How easy it was to squeeze his hand and have him return the gesture. Alinta’s gaze flashed over to him, with the glimmering hues of orange and amber reflected in his eyes. “It’s like you’re on fire…” A pause then clarification. “Your eyes I mean. They look good.”

Scar offered her a wide grin, one Alinta matched. Happy to be in his company, happy to see his smile. Alinta chanced a moment where she would let her head sit on his shoulder. A little awkward with how they walked, but she didn’t mind. She didn’t move it till he complimented her. The centerpiece!?

It caused her to jump, straightening herself and glancing away. “Scar…you know what showering compliments can do to a woman. Right?” A small inhale. “When I said you should leave scars on my heart, I was joking…jeez…” If he kept this up she might think he actually liked her. It was just the atmosphere, she would tell herself. It was just how it was all set up, making it seem like a date. Making it romantic, and Alinta, ever the storyteller, ever the dreamer…was eating it up.

“I don’t like the idea of you being on the frotlines either.” Alinta hissed under her breath as he offered to take her place. Alinta had seen what it did to Oscar, how tired they looked when they passed through the towns. They weren’t happy. They weren’t living. Simply cogs in a machine. 

At that moment, Scar had said something else, but Alinta didn’t catch it. “Hmm? What did you say?” Concern fell on her features when she noticed the way his brow had furrowed slightly, the way his jaw clenched. “Scar?” Something about that look made her want to kiss him, gently coax it away. But Alinta held back. This wasn’t the ball. This was different.

….Right?

They finally came up to a lake and the scene left the woman breathless. The fresh scent of water, the sound of rustling willow leaves. “This…?” Two steps forward to take in the scene. “It’s like it was ripped right out of a novel…Scar…” She watched the ripples, glimmering. The moonlight reflections looked like stardust. This was a rumour…?

"And if you ever forget who you are.. I'll remind you."

Still facing away from Scar, but fully aware he was behind her…Alinta would cup a hand over her heart. “You’re…making this really hard yanno?” A turn to face him, to chastise him for being far too romantic - and…

Flowers?  When was the last time anyone had gotten her flowers? Not a a PR gift..not as a false platitude but out of genuine kindness?

This….wasn’t a rumour….

The lanterns weren’t there by chance…

And the man before her…knew exactly what he was doing.

She couldn’t help but stare in silence. As if space and time stood still and became the finest point imaginable, all condensed down into this single moment. Two souls, lost and alone, had collided - beginning and ending with the other.

“You really…” breathless, she broached the gap between them, allowing the flowers space to fall gently to the ground by their feet as her hands snaked up underneath his, linking at his back and pulling him close. “You’re so beautiful…so safe…so warm…” Her forehead pressed against his. “Scar you’re…” A small shake of her head. No words could explain this.

The feeling of having known someone for such a short amount of time,and to have them sweep you off your feet? An undeniable magnetism. Feelings without bounds and reason. Alinta wanted to steal the warmth from his lips, but it took every ounce of her to hold back in that moment. She had been the one to steal them each and every time before.

“You’ll need to catch me.” A whisper, and a trembling admission. “I’m falling.”

For you.

WC:909

[Scar 0]

The flowers fell out of his hand, laying gently on the grass and making a barely audible rustle, few pixels pretending to be flowers, shining a little before the glow started to go away. But it was not something he understood. Not really. To him it seemed that her warmth was the only thing that existed in the whole universe and it was all his senses, every thought, every beat of his heart were caught by it.

Her arms. Her scent. Her trembling voice.

It was disorienting, in the most beautiful way possible. The weight of the world, this strange, digital one they were trapped in, fell away in her embrace. He didn't feel trapped, not for once. Not as Scar, not as Jack. Just.. human. Just a man holding onto something that felt too real to be a simulation.

His hand went over her back, following the soft and even rhythm of her breath against his chest. He was able to recognize the very faint quiver in it, and that she was holding back something too, something fragile and unspoken, very well. For just a moment of time, he was simply standing there. And he was letting it enter deeper into his mind. Letting the silence between them speak louder than any words ever could.

When she whispered that last phrase, "I'm falling," something in him cracked open.

He didn't think. He couldn't. He pulled her closer, his hand finding the small of her back as if guided by instinct. Their lips met in a kiss that wasn't just affection, it was release. Every bit of hesitation, every wall, every question about whether this was real, all of it fell away with that single touch.

It seemed that even the world was holding its breath then.

The lake was glittering in the moonlight and every wave was casting small stars on their shadows. One after another the lanterns behind them were breaking into shining blue diamonds and with each and every explosion, tiny beams of weak light were floating and twirling around them like snow. The very faint sound of data dissolving into the air was accompanied by the distance of the wind going through the willows. Everything felt alive. Timeless.

When he finally drew back, their foreheads still touched, and his lips lingered just a breath away from hers. His voice was low, soft, carrying both promise and certainty.

"I'll catch you every time."

The words came easily, as if he'd been waiting his whole life to say them. And when her breath hitched softly at the closeness, he smiled faintly, the crooked, earnest smile that was so purely him. "Every time you fall, every time you doubt yourself.. I'll be right there."

One of his fingers he took and with it, he moved a lock of her hair back from her cheek. The gesture was tender, careful, like touching something sacred. The dim light of the almost extinguished lanterns played on her skin and for a very short moment he could even swear that she wasn't just light and code. She looked too real. Too alive.

"I thought I'd stopped believing in moments like this," he admitted, his voice carrying that same quiet honesty that had followed him since the first day they met. "But then.. you came along."

His look got tender, his thumb drawing slow rounds on her wrist while he was saying the words. "You made me want to see this world again. Not just survive it, but live in it. Every time I look at you, it feels less like a game and more like.." He trailed off for a moment, eyes flicking down to her lips again before returning to her eyes. "..home."

He chuckled softly then, breaking the heaviness with that familiar warmth. "Guess that makes you my player two."

She just very slightly smiled, that combination of disbelief and affection was reflected in her eyes. And he couldn't help but laugh quietly, the sound light and genuine.

The night breeze swept gently across the lake, rustling through the willows and stirring the petals that had fallen from the bouquet. They lifted and scattered like tiny fragments of starlight, drifting across the water’s surface before dissolving into glowing motes of blue.

Jack took her hand again, his fingers intertwining with hers as if afraid she might vanish if he didn't hold on tight enough. "You said earlier you didn't want to be the person who stayed in one place," he said softly, giving her hand a squeeze. "Then don't. I'll walk every floor with you. One by one. No frontlines. Just.. us. Seeing the world."

He took a small step back, still holding her hand, eyes locked on hers. "And if there's ever a dragon in our way.." His grin widened slightly, teasing. "You'll have to save me first."

That earned him the laugh he wanted, that real, unguarded one that only she had. It made corners of his chest ache in the best way.

Last but not least, the lanterns along the water's edge gave in to their flame and broke open into a multitude of tiny blue pieces that twirled upwards, like souls, before eventually disappearing. The final one exploded over them, scattering bits of glittering blue light that let down on their hair, their shoulders and the hands that were joined together.

Jack looked up, then back at her, his expression softening once more. "You know.. when we first met, I didn't expect any of this. I just thought you were someone who'd already figured everything out. But I see now.." His thumb brushed across her knuckles gently. "..you don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to keep walking forward."

A pause, quiet and sincere.

"And I'll be there, step for step, catching you every time."

Her fingers tightened around his, and for a while, neither of them spoke. The world didn’t need words in that moment. Just the sound of the water, the quiet hum of the night, and the faint echo of their shared heartbeat in the stillness. 

 Then, with a small tug of her hand, she leaned into him once more, her head resting against his chest as they both stared out over the lake. He could feel her heartbeat through his shirt, steady, real, grounding him in a way nothing else ever had. 

Jack smiled, resting his chin gently atop her head. "You don't have to fall," he whispered. "Because I think.. I already did."

* * *

WC: 1085

[Alinta 0]

Where she was too afraid to make that connection, he was not. Tender and firm he pressed forward, breaching that gap and capturing her lips in his. In that single kiss of sweetness and passion, a million thoughts and feelings compressed into one single moment and exploding into barely restrained fevor. Alinta didn’t realize just how soft, how real someone could feel in this game. The tremble, the gasp as the two fell away to their passions. The most vulnerable admission one could make. Sharing a deepening of affection and feeling. Tangled against each other.

And in his kiss…she was home.

Scar had the forethought to pull away before she could get too carrie away, before her hands strayed too far to remain decent. 

Fading lights danced around them like fireflies, errant strands of data from lanterns that burned too bright too fast, and a small uncertain thought asked her, if this…if them were to meet the same fate but the concern quickly faded away replaced with a comforting warmth with his next words.

"I'll catch you every time."

He caught it, caught her - how her strong facade hid a crumbling and terrified woman. He knew, he knew but he didn’t shy away. He picked her up, as messy as he was and was trying to hold her back together. A small half step away gave them the space they needed to breathe and to clear their heads, something Alinta needed else she’d find herself tumbling to the floor with legs entwined.

Alinta glanced down at her hands, they were soft. Moisterized, and her nails long and manicured, coloured in a magenta that matched her eyes. They weren’t the hands of a fighter. Hell…they were barely the hands of a regular worker. Alinta used to love the way she looked after herself, but engulfed in the warm and calloused grip of Scars…they felt weak. She felt weak.

“I didn’t think moments like this could exist. Not here.” Alinta glanced up at him and offered him the faintest of smiles. “Trust the sinner to open the saintesses eyes…” A small joke, a recall to how they first met. Never did she think they’d end up like this. But…wasn’t this too fast?

Tender hands would brush away her concerns along with strands of her hair and Alinta leaned into the palm of his hand, closing her eyes, savouring every touch, every breath every moment as much as she could.

“You give me far too much credit.” Her hands would let go of him so they could cup his cheeks, thumbs brushing beneath sharp crimson eyes. “But who am I to argue with my paolyer one?” She said with a laugh.

It was such a dorky joke, but - if the two weren’t dorks they wouldn’t have found themselves in this predicament, stuck in a virtual world. Her eyes sparkled as he offered to walk every floor with her. Her body practically trembled with excitement. “I..I have so much information to show you! To share with you! I’ve been researching and-” She caught herself. This was a precious moment, not one to be marred with such things. She couldn’t help but laugh, as he did the exact same thing, throwing in comments about dragons. And how she'd be the one to save him.

It felt good to laugh like this…

She pressed her forehead to his chest, still giggling as she shook it. “You’re a fuckin’ dork…” She muttered one her giggles died down.

“I’ll walk forward, but only if you do it beside me. It’d be boring…and lonely without-” A pause. They joked about partners, but…was there…could there be such a label?

Alinta lifted her head, she’d take that chance. That step forward. If he denied it, then she could take several steps back.

“It’d be lonely without my boyfriend?”

 

It felt almost silly for her to refer to him that way, almost juvenile in its innocence. But, if not that, then what were they? Too new and cautious to be lovers, too close to be mere friends.

WC:676