Nari-Lanreth

’Exactly! It would be better to survive here, rather than die out there. At least, that’s what I believe. That’s what I strive to do…to provide every species, every being, the chance to survive. Maybe not all of them, well certainly not all of them, but at least some of them! That way they aren’t all lost to time!’ Nemo’s excitement had returned as Onora seemed to agree with him. Nari could see his jittery movements out of the corner of her eye, distracting her from the line and water for a moment. ’Certainly, one could consider it admirable as well. I get that, Nemo. Truly, I do. I’m not

’Perhaps…you’re both right, I think. I mean, it’s nice to be free and capable of making your own decisions, but if the world leaves nothing for you to survive in…’ Onora seemed to pause in thought again, her brow furrowing as Nari collected the items from the small chest she’d managed to drag from the waters. It was only once she’d returned the line to the water’s depths that Onora spoke again, continuing her train of thought as though linking it together. ’We’ve seen the end of civilisation, learnt about them…do you not think that they would have preferred, in many cases, to be given a small

’Perhaps…perhaps you’re right, somewhat. It would be a shame to be locked away for eternity, unable to explore and find and discover…’ Nari suddenly glanced at Onora with concern, wondering if she had somehow broken Nemo’s foundation of existence. She’d meant nothing more than to present a counter argument, but the man seemed to be lost deeper and deeper in thought as the seconds ticked away, and she wondered if she had somehow created some game altering moment right then and there. ’Still, though. Sometimes being given a place to live and survive is more important than being free – think of h

’That’s true, that’s true…still, a prized collection they would have made as a pair, no?’ Nemo grinned as Onora sighed, clearly misreading her reaction to the comment. Nari knew that the blonde was exasperated by the inability to see the creatures as free beings, capable of making their own way in life – Nemo, on the other hand, seeing their value within his garden; safe, certainly, but contained and incapable of expanding or exploring. Or doing anything that a free animal, being or creature would be capable of doing. ’Perhaps, but isn’t it nice to consider allowing some things to be free

She wasn’t entirely sure that she did know how it went, and yet Nari found herself understanding at the same time, somehow. An odd case wherein she knew she didn’t necessarily need to experience it, to understand it – the suggestion behind the words telling her everything she needed to know, without telling her anything at all. Social constructs and behaviours are weird. She shook her head to herself, knowing that thought was the exact same one she’d had years ago – long before she’d even considered joining the virtual world, let alone becoming a member of Aincrad. ’Sure, sure. But at lea

Time seemed to both stall, and flash before Nari’s eyes as she listened to Nemo explaining the various journeys’ he’d partaken to find the creatures, mythical and majestic as he described them, across the world of Aincrad. At points she found herself laughing, giggling and crying as he explained humorous events that occurred, and in alternation she oft found herself reduced to depressive moments as something went wrong – usually the death of a rare and special being that he had search long for, across various areas of Aincrad. ’…I’d almost had it, truly, but then the dragon appeared befor

Nemo and Onora chatted for a while about the distant paddock – a piece that Nari hadn’t even noticed until Onora had pointed it out, containing a collection of horse like creatures within that seemed content to be locked away. Likely for their own safety, with the numerous predators that roamed the fields in search of their next meal. Something about the horse creatures caught Nari’s eye, the shifting black and white similar to a zebra – and yet the horns upon their heads signified them as some sort of fantastical creature. ’You always have such amazing creatures and beings here, Nemo. Wh

’Thanks, Nemo. The invite is always appreciated.’ Nari tossed a grin that was meant to be pleasant towards the man, responding after a few seconds of awkward silence. She hadn’t been entirely sure, at first, why she had even bothered responding. Sure, she was trying to keep the non-player character from being sad – but the man likely didn’t feel sadness towards their silence, so much as a lull in the conversation – a point that it simply fell into a docile state, as many had explained and theorised. For Nari, however, it felt wrong to simple ignore the man and his comment; especially when he s

’Sorry.’ Onora glanced towards Nari, recognising the stare and the meaning behind it. She flushed slightly, as if embarrassed by the slip up she had made, or the reaction she’d received – or perhaps both. Nari shook her head, wanting to say it didn’t really matter, that there was no reason to be sorry. The words, however, didn’t come out. She knew that it wouldn’t entirely be truthful. Even this long into the game, or perhaps because of how long it had been, the simple comment seemed to strike deep; as if giving up on the possibility of escape was becoming more and more of a reality for far to

’It really is.’ Nari pulled in the line again, sighing to herself as she saw the glint of empty hook in the air above the water. She tossed the line back into the water, determined to at least make the most of the time. She knew coming here that she wasn’t going to be experience an abundance of success – one never did, when starting out anything in Aincrad; a fact that Cardinal seemed to ensure. Still, she’d been hoping her success rates would be at least slightly better than they had been thus far – though, Onora would say that just meant they’ll pick up if she kept at it. ’One could alm

Nari could easily empathise with the frustration that Onora was feeling, as she pulled in another empty line. She barely remembered the difficulties she’d had when she first started out as a forager, though she didn’t remember them being this trying. Could simply be that it was so long ago you’ve forgotten, though. Hindsight really does make everything seem…different than it was. And now that you’re great at foraging…at least somewhat… She sighed as she remember the lack of any materials she’d found on the way in – as if a foreshadowing to how her day of fishing was about to commence. ’At

Success wasn’t coming easy as Nari drew the line back in once more. Another empty haul greeted her, the hook glittering softly against the sunlight coming down from above. She glanced upwards, considering how naturally she considered the light in the sky sunlight, now. She could barely remember a time where she hadn’t considered it a sun – though it was clearly nothing star like in reality, beyond simply being a provision of light that allowed one to see their surroundings. Still, in her mind she’d accepted it as sunlight – as had most other players that Nari had come across, when commenting o

’Well, this is going well.’ Nari had finally managed to snaggle a smaller sized fish, the scaled thing flopping onto the ground beside her before she managed to carve into it with the small knife she’d brought along – another piece of the fishing gear she’d acquired with her new skillset. She was careful to cut away the pieces that were most important, watching as the excess and waste disappeared into nothingness. ’How’s the piece coming along, Onora?’ The blonde gave a soft sigh, waving her hand over it as if to declare some sort of broader response, before simply shaking her head and re

’Which one?’ Onora glanced up, looking across the field in the general direction that Nemo had been eyeing. It took her a few seconds, eyes casually scanning the area, before she seemed to spot whatever it was Nemo had seen. ’Ah, yeah…that one with the slightly shifting pattern? I do like the look of it.’ Nemo seemed to beam at the thought of someone else being eccentric about the creatures he kept, the sudden commentary launching him into an explanation of the thing’s arrival, conception or whatever else had brought it into existence. Nari listened for only a few moments, before tuning t

A measure of silence fell over the trio as they relaxed, Nemo content to mention small commentary once in a while as they simply sat; Nari’s line the one minor movement and sound against the pulling needle in Onora’s hand, and the winds that swept across the plains. Nari was careful to keep an eye on the roaming creatures that made up the population of the garden – wolves covered in moss, alien like creations that roamed oddly against the realistic world’s grasses, and small drakes that floated above the stalks of plants. None came close enough to be a concern, though Nari was sure that wouldn