[PP-F3] Another One Of Those Days

[Haine 0]

Haine sighed as she trekked her way down the third floor, a faint frown plastered on her face. What was she doing here, exactly? For someone of her level, the first five floors was an odd 'hotspot' for her. Previously, she had dropped out of the front lines, her previous guild, cut ties with everyone... it was kind of like a breather for her. Haine had assumed that things would be staying the same for a while, she was probably one of the most unknown high leveled players. It was better, because she enjoyed having some room to breathe. Her objective was to take upon a mediocre and steady paced leveling rate, but things had been changing recently. She had met some new faces, and joined forces with the Azure Brigade. Not to mention a few twists and turns of events - Kiru. So, it was time for some tough crunchies, by the looks of it. Those stats were golden, and she needed them if she was ever planning on joining those boss fights again. But... there was that slacker side of her which said: 'Why not take a nap on floor three? Yeah, reaaal productive.' That was pretty much the scoop of her recent Aincrad life.

 

Currently, she was in the middle of an open plain field, staring at the ground which was infested with dandelions and nonsensical things of that nature. Blinking, she knelt down and snagged a few, blowing off the seeds to watch them crystallize into the wind. Her eyes would glance in awe, despite the fact that it ceased to show on her face. "Pretty neat. Now, how do they make stuff like this so real again? Should've asked dad when I had the chance." Standing back up, Haine would continue to walk ahead in her aimless direction, in search of something that could pique her interests. Her train of thoughts was cut off when she heard what could have been foot steps. She assumed it was one of those cliche ways to encounter a mob, a player, or something else. Unsheathing her katana quickly, Haine's eyes would dart around the area, thoroughly scanning everything. A glimpse of an orange cursor was seen, which only made her tighten her grip on the weapon at hand.

[Daeron 1]

Stepping around on the third floor, Daeron had only seen blue hair and a weapon drawn. Standing there confused for a second, he had no clue what was happening. Realizing moments later that the feminist bluenette is threatening him with a weapon, he quickly raised his hands up in front of his chest in panic. "Woah woah woah... I don't want to fight. Here, see... I don't want to." he said as he took his own weapon out and set it on the ground before her. Breathing heavy with worry that today might be the day he died, he realized something oddly familiar about this player.

 

The blue hair seemed to... strangely familiar to something he's seen before. Then it came to him. It was Haine, whom he had rarely encountered before. However, he recognized her. Quickly, he wanted to reach out before him to shake her hand, but with a weapon near his face, he wasn't going to even bother trying to step on any feet until he knew she didn't want him dead. "Listen. It's me... Daeron. Wait, no. Yeah-- Look I'm not a killer anymore." he said trying to explain himself to the girl.

[Haine 0]

Haine really took to the moment to register the unfamiliar male's features. So, maybe she had known a little about him, Or Daeron to be specific. But, barely anything. You could say, she's caught glimpses of him here and there... heard a few stories, especially from her little sister. Well, that incident with Ruri's soon to be husband being thrown off of Aincrad... and her crying face. It really pissed her off, but she let it brush off her shoulders. Hey, that dude was trying to kill himself in the first place. But the bluenette wasn't in the mood for some dramatic issues today, she still had some sanity left within her. Even so, her katana was still pointed straight at him, whilst she debated. "Should I put it down or what? Hmm, if he tries to attack-" her train off thoughts was cut off when Daeron drew an anxious expression, putting his own weapon out on the ground to keep his point straight. "That face looks believable. Any spares sitting around in your inventory, boy?"

 

Haine would narrow her eyes and hastily sheath her katana, turning to face Daeron. He stuttered out his words, claiming to have changed his ways. Her glare would lighten after hearing those words. In place of that, a barely noticeable grin formed in place. "Cool. You should give repentance a visit sometime, just saying."

[Daeron 1]

Daeron was relieved that she had put her weapon away. The thought of Repentance had come across his mind rather often, however, his procrastination got the best of him. Flashing a smile across his face, he was glad that she wasn't going to kill him on the spot. As she was superior to his level, meaning she had the advantage in this fight. "Yeah, I know. It's just I'm lazy. Y'know?" he stated as he sat down on the patch of grass beside him. As the days of Aincrad passed, he wasted away in a hospital where he knew nothing well would happen. It wouldn't be long until hope could be given up on the players if they are in this game too long. Regardless, he still spent his days lounging around outdoors, which has practically become his home, where he resides in nowadays.

 

"How have you been lately, Haine?" he asked.

 

Daeron knew her name from Keith Yudai, her brother. Though at first he wasn't necessarily fond of the Yudai's they grew on him for some strange reason. They had a sense of being so kind and friendly that they are enjoyable to be around. Daeron couldn't help himself but to keep a smile on his face the time he sat down to relax and take a breather for a change. 

[Haine 0]

Haine raised a brow at his unfamiliar smile, apart from the past trademark expressions. He explained his reason as to why the repentance wasn't defeated yet. Procrastination. Speaking of that, it's exactly the reason why she's not picking up her training pace. She had to admit, she had a knack of stretching time and going on 'breaks' leisurely. Another reason why she decided to stop at the third, a perfect rolling field greens - and dandelions. Giving herself a mental pang, Haine drifted back onto topic, to her current conversation. "Lazy? I'd hate to stay orange, missing out on those all you can eat stuff. Udon," she looked back at Daeron, emphasizing her last word in a nonsensical manner. Placing her hands on her hips, she'd stretch slowly. "How have you been lately, Haine?" She shrugged at the male player and spoke.

 

"Um, good...? Just training for some future goals." pausing for a moment, Haine looked back at Daeron curiously. "Now that's a good question to ask. Other than what I already know here." "Hmm, I'd ask you the same. Any- err... cool field bosses and stuff?" Yeah, topic starters wasn't exactly up her forte. But she was questioning, where was this conversation going? And then, those pesky dandelion fluffs that stuck to her boots. Nice aesthetics, on a sarcastic note.

[Daeron 1]

Daeron sighed as he didn't want to mention bosses at all lately, but as she did ask, he couldn't just be rude about it. "Um. Well we cleared Floor 9. It's a problem however because for floor 10 we are lacking serious power for the next boss. I'm hoping that I can tank a majority of the damage, but who knows what would happen." Daeron explained. "As for how I've been... Well, the wild is a humble home. It doesn't sound like much and to be honest... it isn't." he said letting out a slight chuckle after he said it.

 

After looking at her who seemed annoyed because of the dandelions on her boots, he smiled. "So why this floor?" he asked, curious to know why she chose to come here rather than any other floor. He knew the general beauty of this floor, and for all he knew that's why she came here, but as of this moment, he hadn't a clue and he would hate to just jump to a conclusion when he has no info to back it up.

[Haine 0]

Floor nine. That was a big number right there. They haven't gotten far to her surprise, but that must have meant that it was a challenge for them. She wouldn't be there to help for a while, and she had her reasons of course. More like, Haine wasn't completely confident that she could be 'fine' in boss battles, even with her luck being so 'good' as of the moment. Her eyes narrowed in concern at Daeron's words, which was followed by a sigh. But, the front lines were never short on players. But then the teenager would remember receiving a message stating that the Azure Brigade would be staying back for this fight. But the enemies status had been given out, and it wasn't anything near a piece of cake. Right now, Haine wasn't even a part of the floor clearing groups. "Man... well - try your best, okay? Aincrad is counting on you guys after all. It'd be pathetic to lose so easily."

 

Haine would give off an amused smirk, hearing his comment about the wild. "Ah, and we remember those days when we wanted to go 'camping' forever. Well, seems like that's come true," she'd recall calmly. "To answer your question, I don't think I have a specific reason, ironically. Just thought that floor three didn't get enough attention from me. So here I am, I'm not sure of anything fun to do in a dandelion field, other than snoozing. Pfft, make flower crowns maybe?"

[Daeron 1]

Daeron laughed at her response. It was good to see some optimistic players still. For Daeron had nearly given up hope on anyone still "counting on them". This reassure him and set his mind for the upcoming fight. Daeron then took her hand and began leading her to a location. "Come on, I'll show you something fun to do." he said, leading her to a secret area that he found once while roaming the floors, something he does often now in his past times since he can't go into towns.

 

"And trust me, as for beds. I miss them soooooo much." he said laughing. He led her for a short ten minutes until they arrived at a location. He had told her to cover her eyes about ten seconds before they got there so it could be a surprise. When he told her to open them, all she would be able to see is a cave with blue, red, yellow, and orange, and all sorts of colors floating around in the cave. It was light shimmering off of gems and jewels that were all about. Sure one could take the riches for themselves, but then it would take away the essence of beauty if brought to the area. "I go here when I'm on the third floor, mostly because it's a breathtaking view." he said as he walked slightly into the cave, running his fingers across the gem coated wall.