Mari

Mari inwardly groaned. She hadn’t meant to snap at him like that. She hadn’t meant for it all to bubble forth like toxic bile. All she wanted…genuinely was to reconnect with an old friend. But the wounds she thought had healed blistered open again. Feeling guilty at her outburst Mari shifted her eyes away, bending down to pick up her weapon and have it disappear back into her inventory. Lest any wandering players think she was attacking him. “Sorry…” She mumbled, then - with a resolve to fix things she said it again, louder this time. “Sorry. I’ve been trying to be better at…” She rolled her w

After a minute's silence between the two Raidou simply offered her a nod, going straight back to his work. "Good morning.” Mari hadn’t expected to see him so soon - She rubbed her eyes. Groggy. “M-Mornin…” Somehow. Mari seemed more human in these moments. Hair a mess, tired, drained - a single hand on the stairs balustrade. “What’r you doin’?” Another sleepy mumble followed by a yawn. Tired cerulean eyes shifted over his shoulders, peering out into the snowy expanse behind him. No Freyd? Right. No. Freyd was probably resting, and spending some much needed time with Elora. Ma

Trembling hands would gently run over Lancasters face, thumbs grazed beneath his precious verdant vermillion eyes. Eyes she had been so close to dropping a proverbial poison into, one that Mari was so afraid would have changed him. Would have dulled that insatiable curiosity and fire that burned so much so that it warmed her aching heart with just a look. Distillation of Shadow… What a scary concoction. Freyd was right, it was too dangerous. Another thing to question Raidou about, but that was for later. For another day - for now…Mari simply didn’t want to let Lancaster go, fervent kisses

Mari swung her pole arm back around to Akir, but Akir ducked under it - dodging it with a maddening laugh. Mari groaned, the momentum caused her to stumble forward. She had to lean heavily on her weapon. This battle was raging on too quickly. Mari was down her dominant hand and as a result she was struggling to maintain any sort of momentum on the shadowy creature. "That may be true, But we can try." It was the most coherent Akir had been in the last few moments. Concern flashed across Mari's eyes, was her gemini gaining strength again? Akirs own strike fell into Mari's body, and Ma

-Closed- Players receive the following: Ariel | [Word Count: 28544/5 = 5708.8] * [True Tier: 11] * [Group Factor: 1] = 62797 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 9419 col, 1 mon Meathook x 1 249118a Freyd | [Word Count: 28544/5 = 5708.8] * [True Tier: 20] * [Group Factor: 1]* [Final Exp Modifier: 1.05] = 119885 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 17982 col, 1 mon Meathook x 1 249118b Mari | [Word Count: 28544/5 = 5708.8] * [True Tier: 11] * [Group Factor: 1] = 62797 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 9419 col, 1 mon Meathook x 1 249118c Arcanthus | [Word Count: 28544/5 = 5708.8] * [True Tier: 9] * [Group F

A smile turned to a thin small line of worry. Weapon clattered to the floor, cork back in its place with a quiet ‘thunk’ and the alcohol, a gesture of some sort of…whatever the two had between them placed back into her inventory with a crystalised flourish. Olive branch denied. "I apologize for any inconvenience," he told her. "I know you didn't need the help." “That’s not fair.” Mari said sharply, her voice rising. Inwardly, she regretted the sudden snap of her tone. But it wasn’t… “You can’t step back into my life like that. Assume inconvenience - then saunter away again. I’

"I don't like this." A flat statement as trembling fingers wrapped around the vial. "I hate this solution." Her back still to Lancaster, Her eyes fixed to Freyd's blade. It wasn't fair. Lancaster wasn't being given an option, he sought out Freyd in desperation. In an attempt to redeem himself, he left the coffin on his own accord. He was taking steps. They were small, they were slow but they were his. Wasn't that what this was all about? How could he ever truly absolve himself if it was aided like this? What of the lives he took? The destruction? He’d remember them - but… in a different s

Mari heard the rattle and clang of metal as Hidden dropped something, Mari leaned back in her chair, glancing at the frazzled woman as she rambled under her breath. Calling Raidou book boy. Mari snorted. With everything she knew now, it was very apt. Even before then. "I suppose he considers Aincrad his business." Mari said with a small shrug. She wasn't sure what Hidden knew, nor how deep her ties to Raidou were - so Mari kept the conversation light. "In an odd way though - it was an act to help me." Mari offered as her eyes followed Hidden. The petite woman placed a cup first in front

*editing due to current circumstances - I feel it best we end the thread here* "I'm good." Mari said to Arcanthus - far more concerned with Freyd. “We’re not done yet. We can do more. Below. Sharrrrr…” Mari shifted to grab Arcanthus by her lower arm, pulling her close, what that was - it was beginning to no longer be Freyd. "Give me a moment with..." Mari's eyes cautiously shifted to Freyd. "Just give us a moment, and make sure the others follow. I don't think he'll stop. He gets a little focused sometimes..." She wasn't sure. Mari shook her head, then offered Arcanthus a w

Odd Mari found it very odd that for all his valour and wit. For his well versed and thinly veiled threats toward the men the stalwart man faltered before her. A helmet laden head tilted down, and shoulders slumped as though they were uncertain. Was he…scared? No, that didn’t make sense. Finally, he lifted his unseen gaze. "I was just repaying a debt," “No one owes me debts.” Mari said quietly, this time swinging her full body to face him, chancing a step closer with a tilt of her head. The man had earned her full attention. How he spoke - it was as if he knew he

"If I had a nickle for every would-be hero," Mari shifted on her foot, hearing the voice. It sounded…familar. She couldn’t place it, nor why the rich, smooth, and resonant voice tugged at feelings of nostalgia. Mari hadn’t drawn her weapon against the first three, she didn’t want to. Didn’t feel the need to. They were just friends playing at knighthood. But this man? His presence was enough to warrant her halberd materializing in hand. It demanded attention, the strength in his stride told of an ice cold visage. Practiced and trained movements. "Justice doesn't matter if you'r

Clink Clink Two bottles of Sullivans Cove clattered loudly together as Mari held them in one hand - she was rounding the outside of Glyndbourne. Her hair is slightly damp from the atrocities of the floor above. One of the drawbacks of the ever looming orange crystal above her forehead - nothing was ever easy. Except stealing from a floor void of safe zones. That was easy. It didn't seem to bother her, nor her spirits. Cerulean eyes bright, no longer marred by dark circles. Her hair well kempt, clothes..right down to her fishnet stockings were neat and laundered. The woman had a

Everything was almost over now....and that..was good...because Mari's vision had begun to blur. Her chest was on fire, her entire arm erupting in synapses of pain that shouldn't exist yet still perceived. Still persisted. Mari weakly lifted up her head as she felt a rush of cold. An unexpected interruption. Mari stared at it in confusion. Was that...allowed? Even Akir seemed unnerved by the interruption - vitriolic words spitting in his direction before being silenced by a blade at her throat. The visage stepped away, and Mari couldn't pinpoint where it went. Why was she being helped?

"Yes it does! Of course it does. Don't lie to yourself. I've felt your glee at tinkering with with baubles that could wipe out who villages." Mari scoffed "Now who's lying to themselves?" Mari asked as she circled the slowly decaying woman. Her gemini was crumbling, much like Mari was before, but unlike Mari - the gemini didn't have those connections - didn't have the memories and hope of others to bring her back to a semblance of lucidity. It made Mari's stomach churn, to see a reflection of herself in such decay. A solemn and scary reminder that this could have been her future if

"Tired? TIRED?! I've done nothing but rest in your miserable, withering innards! NO. I AM NOT FUCKING TIRED. That's your stupid shtick." Mari snorted and shook her head as she watched Akir writhe and scream at her. "No, I don't mean physically." Akir writhed against unseen binds, attempts to kick and scream like a small child. "I mean, of how you're acting." Mari shifted to pick up her weapon, winced - then dropped it. Only to try to pick it up again. Her entire body ached. Was this how people saw her in the past? Gods....Mari must have been insufferable. "Soft spot for redheads

Mari watched from where she was hidden - she already managed to pull herself from the void. Akir had already clocked onto the fact that she wasn't still there - wasn't still trapped like she had so desperately hoped. Was Freyds gemini this violent? She watched as with a tug her gemini managed to pull one of the shadows forth - its features instantly becoming reminiscent of Lancaster. This wasn't his gemini. Just a cheap recreation of it. But - did these shadows have feelings? Were they like Akir, Like Montjoy? Or were they simply just shadows? "Yes...what could we make this one do, I wond

Call it an identity crisis, if you wish. Spend too much time wearing too many masks and you start to forget who you are, or which priorities matter most." "It must be hard for you." Mari said quietly - successfully managing to pat the strange little mimic who made a sound akin to a chirrup and a purr. "Freyd....Takeshi...Montjoy...It must get overwhelming." Mari chanced to pick up Reliq, who seemed to enjoy the attention as it rolled around in her arms, every so often its tongue would wipe at her - removing the wet sand from her skin. It was not a pleasant feeling. "some days...I can ba

This all fell apart... Mari lifted her head to look at the fireplace, its embers slowly dying from the onslaught of snow and wind that tore through her shattered home. Why? Why was it every time Mari finally managed to grasp a modicum of happiness it was torn away from her. Why...why every time she tried to crawl out of that dark hole she was denied hope, light? Was it so wrong to fall in love? She glanced over her shoulder at Lancaster, still pinned to the seat - pupils wide like saucers. Still under the effect of truth serum. Mari pushed herself to her feet, snatching the clear liq

Mari gave him a weak smile, in part... it was nice to see Freyd a little more... what would you call it? Loosey Goosey? Carefree? But at the same time there was just something inherently off about it, like he was going through the motions, and that they were at best skin deep. “You learning to fly or something? Eww. Mari-nated sand.” She looked down at herself, covered in wet sand that sloughed off her in chunks. A small laugh fell from her lips. The joke reminded her of Baldur's humor. "Something like that." She responded, "At least I had a nice trip." Said with a small laugh and

Mari had never seen Freyd like that before. Freyd referring to Mari as a prize hurt, that…wasn’t what she was to Lancaster, was she? An inward flinch at the word as her fingers fiddled with a makeshift ring upon her finger. She’d been burned before. For all the strength Mari had…for all the growth she did - the one place she always faltered were matters of the heart. “I know you, Lancaster. I know the fickleness of your flame and the catastrophe you willingly leave in your wake.” When Mari admitted she loved someone, be it platonically…or romantically, she gave those people everythi

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ "Mark you?" His breath skims against her skin, always so warm. Mari could feel his lips smile against her. But there was a sort of pause in his actions. Mari expected rushed kisses and an eruption of passion, instead there was silence as his arms wrapped tight around her. A stillness that made her heart feel like it was being twisted and squeezed. Mari furrowed her brow, did she - go too far with her admission? Her little stunt with the knife? Her hands stopped roaming. One wrapped cautiously around his waist, thumb looping into a belt loop to hold him there. Her

Post Action: Crafting the item with Malachi's guidance. Malachi stood three steps back as he watched Mari. He pointed to the bunsen burner and opened his mouth to speak but Mari interrupted. "Low heat, any higher and the metal would melt." He blinked and nodded. Mari had collected the materials, and was holding the tiny piece of material between forceps - it wasn't her first foray into this sort of activity- it was just the first time she was doing it assisted by the system. So each and every time Malachi tried to tell her to do something she'd be one step ahead - and be already in the

Post Action: Gathering Materials and Returning them to Malachi ID:2489624 LD: 17 CD: 2 +3 EXP Gathering Profession: 62/149 Mari started to rip up the dandelions, in complete unabashed frustration. This was supposed to be calming. This was supposed to be a pleasant and simple experience but instead it turned into an absolute hellish experience.So as Mari sat on her hands and knees, digging through dirt, flowers - and looking under various mushrooms foraging for materials. The woman was very bothered, and very pissed off. A broken nail, dirt all over her hand and knees - the ragged tr

ID:248963 LD: 9 +3 EXP 56/149-59/149 WELP! Thats it! These rocks were completely useless, sure there were a few more she could look under but Mari was growing very tired and very frustrated, she didn't want to deal with this damn quest anymore. SHe couldn't imagine anyone crazy enough to do this for EVERY. SINGLE. PROFESSION. Oh wait, yes she could, a man who would wear broken glasses and a red cape. He'd be the kind of driven person to do this. Mari, however, was not. A part of her wanted to leave right now, but then there is the time sunk fallacy, right? She had al

ID:248962 LD: 6 +3 EXP 53/149 -56/149 What was that childhood story, the one with the little girl and how she somehow walked into a house belonging to three bears? with the porridge and the beds and stuff? This felt like that. The three rocks were like the three bears, one was too big one was too small. That means the medium rock should be juuust right - RIGHT? and that meant that surely there would be a material underneath it? RIGHT? Mari didn't want to get her hopes up. It was a good thing she didn't too because as she lifted the rock and saw a whole lot of nothing she let i