[OP-F1] Night Of A New Day

[Kotori 0]

Evening. It was a beautiful to view to the people who had the time to go around gazing at the sunset that at times looked like the most magnificent thing in the game. Even if it was a virtual object programmed by developers, it was still something to amazed by. The colors of crimson, orange and the bright gold filling the sky just compliment the somewhat blurry star that made its descent into the infinite horizon that she could hope to touch, but never would even if she tried her hardest. Nothing was more brilliant, save maybe the lone moon in the night sky and the sunrise itself. Kotori found herself staring at it with the strangest fascination as the raven-haired girl gazed at the sight to behold it for all its beauty. It was one of the few things that she loved about the game.

 

The sunset had ended and the moon filled the dark sky with its grey light as it stood there silently, almost watching the players as they scurried around and around the first floor. From her bench of oak, the lonesome girl found herself staring to the sky to have the time pass, hopefully maybe fall asleep easier. She wouldn't really fall asleep though, eventually and somehow, somebody would definitely wake her because of various reasons. Still, it would be very annoying and would piss her off to a great amount if someone actually disturbed her in her moments of peace that she had to scramble to find. Shifting her posistion, the player found her laying down on the bench and looking upwards towards the heaven, way comfortable from her previous form. It was tiring.. She felt her eyelids grow heavy as they began to fall as well. Maybe a few moments of sleep wouldn't be too bad. Honestly, maybe all her other experiences of being woken up could be faulted towards not ignoring the person who awoke and instead just going back to sleep. She could do that, but she didn't feel like talking or doing anything. Just sleep.

[Zelrius 0]

Zelrius walked away from the town after his long and tedious of day of return to towns. Just that morning he and the Azure Brigade had killed Redemption, and the name of the Blood Buccaneer was dead. He was green now, and willing to stay that way. He spent his first day rather awkwardly. Now that Zelrius was finally allowed back in towns, the golden haired by realized that there was nothing for him to do in them. Shops were useless as his item set could not be crafted. Players were ever so annoying with either their ogling at his gear and tuxedo, or were so stuck up and stupid they murmured insults under their breath. Inns were costly, and Zelrius had spent enough nights outside of inns to not care anymore for beds or anything of the like. The only thing all that trouble was worth was being green, even though he couldn't quite figure why exactly he wanted it so badly.

 

Orange, the color of the cursor he carried around for so long, and the same color the sun was it went from a brilliant golden to a twilight crimson in moments. Same as it does everyday. This day was simply more important to Zelrius for an unknown reason, it just was. The grass turned from the lush green, to a tinted orange and then faded slowly into darkness as the moon rose. Floor 1, The only one that never changed the fact that it always changed. How many days had he spent outside of cities and towns, looking onward and longing to return to the people, despite how much they annoyed him? Yet in all that longing he found himself outside of them again, in the white glow of a beautiful moon, standing on digital blades of grass. How life like, how un noticed this has gone The arrogant boy had thought as he glanced around the area.

 

In all that glancing, Zelrius got a glance of a bench semi-covered in shadow, semi lit. All Zelrius wanted to do was sit now, so with a slow care-free swagger to the bench, the teenager had intended to rest his feet for a moment on the bench, only to notice someone on it. His very first thought was the same as it always would have been, Green or Orange. How damned imputent. I should kill them just for being out here at night.

[Jomei 0]

Another long day on the First Floor, Jomei was beginning to get bored of this floor honestly.. seeing it all the time rather than exploring any of the higher floors more often. He had not even been to his own shop on the Second Floor in quite a few days since he had been so busy here. The ginger haired man let out a heavy sigh as he exited his usual pub on the first floor. He turned and waved as he closed the door, bidding the other patrons of the bar a good night. The sun had set, and the moon was in full view in the sky, shining starts scattered across the dark blue canvas. His lips curved into a smile as he lifted his hand opening up his menu and equipping his trusty lute. {Well, might as well make my way back to the shop and get some rest.} He started his stroll down the streets of the Beginning City, strumming lightly on the strings of his lute. 

 

It had been awhile since he had the time to play his lute, being so busy with training for the fights and helping out lower level players whenever they needed them. On top of that, he was also now part of a guild, The Velvet Room, with his good friend Lowenthal. Since he was a founding member alongside his friend, there were many things they needed to work on to get more members and funding for guild expenses. Being that he now had a small amount of time to himself, he decided to use it doing something he loved.

 

Walking down a certain street of the city, he happened past a bench with a girl reclined across both seats, another player slowing his step upon approaching the bench. It took Jomei a moment to realize that he was familiar with the man he had just walked past.. but there was something different. The strumming on his lute stopped as he slowly turned his body to look at the other player. He recognized the golden hair and tuxedo on the man, there was only one person he knew who dressed like that. "Zelrius?" Jomei questioned as he stepped towards him. His gaze moved up to the cursor above his head, it was green, unlike the orange color of a PKer that Jomei had remembered him having. Maybe it wasn't him and he was merely mistaken. 

[Crozeph 0]

It felt like another night for him and it will be. Floor One was a place who was still interesting for him, with the players moving around and walking at different directions and different paths. Crozeph was always amused by it. People who walk past each other and forget what they look like, recognize familiar faces, meet new ones, annoy others, and even see the stronger ones swagger or walk with their head held up high. Even inside the game he still see everyone as subjects to be observed and put them in situation or even he himself fall in situations he wasn't expecting.

 

Crozeph pulled the hood of his coat and dropped down from a small building surprising others, must be because his drop looked more like a fall. Crozeph stood up quickly and shook off the dust from his coat and walked away, a walk of shame that is. The hood of his coat kept his face hidden a little and the only thing that could catch anyone's attention was his white armor beneath the coat and his katana which looked like it was made out of paper. The night has slowly creeped in and it was always the soothing effect of darkness that made him smile. As he continued to walk, Crozeph heard a name, and it sounded dangerous "Zelrius?" he mumbled. Crozeph was familiar with a few PKers when he was still starting up inside Aincrad but to hear that name inside a town "I was expecting someone like that guy named Daeron or something to be called here but Zel..." Crozeph turned his head to his right and saw him. Crozeph first saw him on some party that was organized and now he sees him near a bench with Crozeph only a few feet away from him and the person who called out to him "that guy's hair color is familiar too" he thought. Crozeph stood still for a moment, waiting for something to happen and hopefully not get himself involved on what worst case scenario he could ever think of.

[Carmine 0]

Carmine's mood wasn't at its best, but she was still happy overall. She'd met the cutest little girl in all of Aincrad; actually, it was the only child she'd met so far in-game, but they were still extremely adorable nonetheless. There hadn't been a day, yet, that Carmine disliked in Sword Art Online, surprisingly. Even when meeting Kiru, Carmine still could care less about the other's attitude towards her, and instead began to like the female even more than before. What there wasn't to enjoy, Carmine had no idea. Unless, of course, a loved one were to die-much like in the situations wanted to be avoided she discussed with Piera-which was a good reason to be down.

 

After hanging around in a cafe, with a group of people she didn't know, all day Carmine got tired of talking to strangers and took a look at her friends list, hoping that maybe someone would be available. Even if they weren't, she'd bother them anyways of course. Hearing music close by, even if only for a few moments, Carmine was intrigued and headed the way that she'd heard the sound. Though, she was even more excited to see someone she was friends with, and found good company. "Jomei!" She skipped towards the person giddily after calling his name out, stopping next to the male when she noticed he was surrounding other. Still Carmine always loved it when more people were around her; one of which she happened to know, vaguely remembering said person was marked with an orange cursor. So she simply crossed her arms and smiled. "What's up?"

[Zelrius 0]

(OOC Permission to GodMod from Kotori)

Zelrius glared down at the person on the bench, deciding they were female by the frame. He took a look at the hp bar then the area. Safe Zone, no chance for attacking her... His thought was cut short by a familiarly orange haired player approaching the light. With a glance up, his expression wasn't it's usual arrogance. His brow was furrowed in concentration and his eyes were scanning, flicking left and right, analytical. For a moment, Zelrius thought that the orange hair was Lowenthal, but instead found it was a distantly familiar other player. He could not place a name on the player, yet somehow knew them. That much was confirmed when the man spoke his name.

 

the boy nodded then spoke, quietly as not to wake the sleeping person on the bench. "Introductions later, quiet for now boy. Watch this," Within moments of that Zelrius hadn't even turned back to the original thought when a distant sound stopped and a few foot steps were heard. The golden haired boy let out an exasperated sigh of annoyance. Stop making this more and more difficult. This thought was that of how he normally spoke in his own mind. Though he was green now, it was still certainly the same Zelrius. He looked back to bench, she was clearly waking up soon, so he needed to be quick. 

 

Interrupted again. This time by a closer source. A female, clear by the voice and her appearance when she came into the faint light around the bench. The female seemed familiar with Jomei, and the boy faintly remembered he some where not too long ago. With a shake of his head, he dropped trying to remember and went on with what he was doing. "Hey, shut up your girlfriend or whatever the hell she is for half a second," He hissed sharply, right before quickly turning and Kicking the bottom of bench, hard. With that, she awoke.

(Did I do good Kotori?)

[Kotori 0]

Of course her enjoyable slumber would have to come to an end as a player decided to awake somewhat abruptly by kicking the underside of the bench that she was laid down on. Kotori found herself falling off the oak structure as the shaking caused her to roll off and on to the cold hard ground below. It was an abrupt wake-up call to the drowsiness she felt from being kicked indirectly. Dusting herself before standing up, she found herself surrounded by a group of players who seemed more interested in the blonde boy than her, something that she found much more accepting than having being the center of attention. Instead of choosing to step away from the group however, the girl decided to stay with them in the hopes of doing something else than just sleep that night.

 

She counted silently in her mind the numbers of players inside the formation and counted five of them, which also included her. She decided to pipe in and say something to the boy who she assumed had kicked from his position and just how he portrayed himself. Standing there with a blank expression as the wind silently blowing her raven-colored hair, she wiped the stray strands of hair from her face before speaking up. "Well, um.. I just wanted to know why you decided to kick the bench I was on? Unless you did it by accident, then by all means say so I know." She questioned the boy with a monotone voice before awaiting his response.

[Jomei 0]

{Boy..? Well that was rude..} Jomei crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, while letting out a heavy sigh. "Definitely Zelrius.." he said under his breath. He looked back up to the man to see what he was thinking of doing. {Wait.. he isn't going to sleep PK her is he?! No.. he's not stupid, theres people around..} Jomei decided it would be smarter to watch first, and act later if necessary. Jomei uncrossed his arms and shoved his hands in his pockets, standing in the same spot he was rather than moving any closer to avoid annoying Zelrius anymore.

 

Jomei thought he heard another person making their way into the clearing, but because it was dark he could not make out their face. As the unknown man came into the light, Jomei heard a familiar voice calling his name from behind him. His ears perked up as he turned around to see a familiar face, with crimson red hair skipping towards him. His face lit up when he saw her, "Carmine! Hey!" He smiled brightly at her as she stopped next to him. "Oh, nothing much jus-" before he could finish talking to Carmine, Zelrius had barked out to the two of them to be quiet. Whatever he wanted to do, he still didnt do it yet. Jomei looked back to Carmine with an apologetic face, raising his pointer finger to his lips, and then softly calling over, "Sorry Zel.." It took Jomei a moment to realize that Zelrius had referred to Carmine as his girlfriend.. causing his face to redden from blushing. 

 

Then Zelrius finally did it. He unleashed his master plan upon the unsuspecting sleeping girl on the bench, as he hovered over her like a vampire above its prey.. He kicked the bench. A bead of sweat fell down Jomei's jawline. "T..That was it" he palmed his face. The girl who was once sleeping on the bench awoke, confused. Jomei decided to walk closer to Zelrius, "Yeah, I'm just as confused as she is.. why did you do that?"

[Crozeph 0]

Crozeph didn't know how to react, it looked like some kind of rudeness that can only be seen from Zel "no mistaking it" he thought. Crozeph made a stifled laughter at what he saw "effective, might try it soon" he mumbled and grinned "learned something n..." Crozeph couldn't hold it anymore. He moved away his hand from his mouth and laughed, a really annoying laugh and even slapping his side. Crozeph then slowly stopped laughing and wiping a tear from his eye followed by a wheezed laugh "it's been a while since I laughed so hard" he said. Crozeph didn't laugh because of what Zel did, it was common to kick the bench when someone is sleeping for him but what caught his humor was the reaction the people around her and Zel made and even him telling them to be quiet "what an amusing chain of events" he said. Crozeph then tiptoed backward trying to move away a good distance, he was expecting more now that the girl woke up and asked him. moving near a lamp post nearby, Crozeph hid himself. It may not the be the best hiding spot but with their attention focused on the the girl and Zel, no one would pay no mind on him.

 

(don't feel like joining the group yet sorry :grin: )

[Carmine 0]

Glad to hear Jomei had remember her name, not that she'd expect him to forget her so easily, Carmine smiled and waved at the male in a friendly manner prepared to engage in conversation when she was rudely shushed. Rolling her green orbs, Carmine shrugged the comment off and patted Jomei's shoulder to let him know she could care less, and simply kept her eyes on what was happening before them. Raising a brow, Carmine watched with crossed arms and intense focus expecting a surprise or sudden jump scare, maybe even an event that'd give her a good laugh. Though, all she saw was an impolite courtesy call.

 

Nodding her head, she agreed with Jomei, completely oblivious to his blushing or the other male's comment. "You could've just went up to her and tapped her shoulder, honestly." Carmine directed her voice to the person who seemed familiar, but also who she couldn't pin a name on. But hadn't Jomei mentioned "Zelrius" a second ago. "Oh yeah, I've met you before Zelrius. You don't seem the type to do such a silly thing..." Carmine smirked, placing both hands on her hips, as faded memories of a few days back returned slowly. "She was trying to sleep, though. You okay?" She asked the girl, peering over in her direction with a slight frown not feeling all too well anymore.

[Thorrissia 0]

It was dark. The street lanterns lining the Starting City streets did little to ease the shadows. If anything, the brightness just made them darker. Thorry had been doing her best to sleep, she really had, but somehow it just wasn't coming to her tonight. The rather exhausted female was pacing anxiously up and down a back alley way when she heard a commotion going on from the square. Her attention now turned away from the insomnia, the young brunette found herself rather curious to see what was going on. She walked quietly around the corner to find what appeared to be several players arguing with each other. She couldn't make out who they were very well in the darkness, but some of their voices sounded familiar. 

 

"What have I been missing?" Thorrissia mused with interest, strutting up rather unceremoniously to join them. She recognised Jomei from meeting him once. And Carmine. She couldn't be entirely sure because his cursor was green... but was that Zelrius? "Hope I'm not intruding." The girl yawned, stretching her arms out in a wide windmill. "Couldn't help but hear your little pow wow over here, and seeing as I'm exceptionally bored with absolutely nothing to do, I thought I'd come join you. So, who's getting beaten up this time?" She questioned curiously. 

[Zelrius 0]

Zelrius finished laughing and gathered himself. He cleared his throat and stood straight up, clicking the heels of his dress shoes together. He straightened to slightly askew bowtie and centered the Pendant on his neck. With a flattening of the rest of his tuxedo, he hoisted his golden sheath for the Twinfire up and finally spoke. "There was no accident here, Girly. I was bored, and you seemed like a nice point of entertainment. Joking aside, What the hell are you doing out here on a bench in the night?" The boy turned from the girl that was on the bench to the boy not far from him.  "I did it because I want to, my ginger friend. You have any idea how insufferably boring it is waiting for the Frontlines to get a move on so that I can return to them?" Now the female by him spoke up, and quite annoyed the arrogant Zelrius to a near extreme. "Tap her lightly? Number one, anyone who is napping out here on a bench is not worth my kindness. Furthermore, where would be the fun in that?" And now another person showing up. The boy looked to the new arrival and sighed deeply, this was causing more of a scene then he had wanted it to. "No intrusion there, You just missed the best part of the whole performance. And no one is getting beaten up... yet." A smirk forming on his face as he backed up a little to get the entire group in view.