SketchSkirmish

'Pull her into the open field and kill her then, huh? That's one way to bypass the safezone. Can't imagine anyone would just stand around and watch that happen without someone saddling up to white knight for a gothic damsel in distress.' Sketch checked his twisted desire to smile in the light of the sadistic humor. "Well," he replied to @Dazia's inquiry with a shrug. "When you've lived in the Town of Beginnings, rumors tend to spread. I hear you're a fairly good duelist." He paused to let the words sink for her. Yes, the implications were clear. How much did he know? Maybe later, she

It seemed that everyone enjoyed Blueberry's cake. Sketch simply couldn't. He wasn't much for cake. Just felt like a mouthful of damp, sweet bread. Either way, the budding baker's beautiful blueberry cake received plenty player praise. The ladies all seemed to pool together as they talked about alchemy, baking, cookies, and skills. Meanwhile, the gent who Koga nearly turned into a human sheath for a dagger decided to take his angry scowl and turn it into interest. It seemed that this fellow took great interest in all things pointy and designed for damage. Sketch couldn't tell if it was his body

The two clowns exchanged a few more words but despite the second's entrance, an air of experience hung about him. Sketch took interest in this. He approached the Monument of Life beside the fellow and eyeballed the names in the area he was looking. The guy was busy berating the insensitive prick that already made his way for the exit. People like that would end up crossed out on this monument soon enough. There are no police here, and all it took was one simple math equation to broil your brain in a nice, steamy, bone cocoon. Shame, but it was certainly not Sketch's job to check people from th

From the back of the tavern came a bubbly girl with pink hair and a plate of baked goods. She reached over him to place the sweets on the table and began to introduce herself. He couldn't help but turn a sideways eye at her, then glance down at the blueberry cake she felt so proud to share. "I'm good," Sketch commented, pulling his elbows off the table and sitting back away from the cake. "Not much of a cake guy. Now, if we were talking pie or a tart..." She then ousted the little one hiding in the corner. Sketch shook his head. 'So much for subtlety.' The server came aroun

Sketch chuckled at the notion of trying every drink. He remembered a time not too long ago where bar hopping and getting one another absolutely plastered was a good time. Alas, SAO lacked the finesse of intoxication, but the taste of a cold drink would still serve just as refreshing and nostalgic. "I do believe that's the talk of a potential new drinking buddy," Sketch whimsically replied with a grin. Breaking back to discussion, Koga flagged a server over to take orders. He chose an ale, something light. The server didn't so much as bat an eye and turned to Lishuu to take her order

"Well, nice to meet you Astralain," he replied. 'So casual to flaunt the idea of her real name...' He thought. Then again, several of those too mortified to leave the real city exchanged real names in a desperate attempt to cling onto that reality which now felt like a dream to him. Sketch preferred the illusion of privacy. Maybe one day, he would confide in another. When they arrived, Sketch eyeballed the establishment. In his years in the Town of Beginnings, he had to admit he didn't recognize the joint. Given the size of the first city, this came as little surprise. Still, the fac

Thankfully, his interjection did not end in rejection. Sketch nodded toward Koga. ”Thanks,” Sketch replied quickly. The two girls exchanged a few words and Sketch directed his attention to the blonde with a raised brow. He diverted back toward Lishuu’s excitement toward root beer. As a group, they moved to the location with Koga at the point. As they walked, the blunette elaborated more of her personal story to the blonde. They seemed to be getting along. Sketch picked up a few pieces of interesting information. Much like himself, Lishuu lacked experience outside the city walls. Give

The larger of the men walked right past Sketch, and his blue eyes trailed him into the distance. 'Couldn't swallow his pride... how petty,' Sketch thought with a scowl. He turned his attention back to Lishuu and her other friend. This one, on the other hand, seemed far more in tune with the consequences of his actions. Perhaps due to defeat? Perhaps due to the weight of her words? Another girl joined the scene all the while Sketch watched from a small distance. By now, the cover of bystanders dispersed and left him exposed to the side of the ally. He and less than a handful now linge

Sketch continued to the exit, but the second of the two clowns blocked his path. His steps paused and the brunette sucked in a breath. Further confrontation would only make him a hypocrite. However, as though this stranger seemed to be subtly urging Sketch to stay, he picked up on the continued conversation behind him. His attention captured, Sketch turned back toward the assembled players. The man he learned to be named Alkor spoke to the girl most offended by the earlier display of insensitivity. In his words, Sketch heard wisdom and experience. Of all those present, Sketch felt incline

Stuck in the crowd that gathered to witness bloodshed and conflict, Sketch finally was able to see the scene that blocked him from his destination to the merchant's quarter. Snide comments about bets breaking and who would have won passed by his ears as onlookers dispersed. Four figures remained central to the clearing but only one seem out of place from the others. Small in stature and of an entirely opposite gender, a blue-haired woman berated the largest of the three men. Sketch raised a brow and positioned himself to the alley's side. Fights in the Town of Beginnings were not common compar

The tension in his arm eased when the exact woman he gestured to spoke her peace. Sketch took a step back and let her articulate herself. As she berated the stranger, he raise a brow at the intricacies of her speech. 'Who is this person?' he thought. Her words reminded him of some medieval lord or lady. Was she acting out in character? Is this just who she had become after being submerged in this reality for so long? These questions lingered behind the reminder and reality that she stood in these halls for a purpose. Someone she cared for died to this false reality. "I'm sorry" came

Compared to the brightly lit streets, the interior of the Black Iron Palace lacked color. Shadows, silence, and an air of stagnation hung around him. Each footstep that carried him closer to the monument at the end of the hall echoed softly. Voices of nearby players remained low. Sketch wondered whether their tone was out of respect or sorrow. Perhaps both. As he neared, the intricate carvings of names became legible as well as cause of death. The sheer number of names settled like a rock at the back of his throat. Based on the rumors he heard in the streets, he knew at least two thousand name

Another morning artificially snuck through the curtains of his room at the Inn. Sketch’s eyes parted open and a familiar groan of defiance slipped past his lips. Another minute... He rolled to his side and felt a cold chill in his hand. Through one open eye, he looked at the karambit he purchased the day prior. It was his commitment to change. Sketch wrapped his fingers around steel grip and leather sheath before he buried his head into his pillow. He groaned. Fine... Sketch sucked a deep breath through the fibers. With one last sigh of discontent, he lifted himself out of