Acanthus

She had not let her martial arts classes go when she was seven like she remembered. Her mind focused, overcoming the onslaught of the water around her. She stood in the doorway of her father’s office. She had come home from University for break. She was ready to confront him about his letter. She wanted to take taekwondo as an elective, and he had refused. “You cannot.” “Does that mean you prohibit me, or you do not believe in me?” He remained silent. “I cannot force your hand. But I will not pay for you to learn things that do not further your education.” “You paid fo

Time had lost all meaning. Acanthus merely wandered from thought to thought. She remembered sadly listening to her friends talk about all the things they learned in karate class. She remembered seeing her father burning letters addressed to Haru. She remembered the happiness in her father’s face as she slowly quieted down with age, and let the issue of karate classes die. The water enveloped her. It was a steady, dull kind of pain. Something that helped guide her thoughts and emotions. It was a stimulus that forced her back into reality, and then prompted her to block it out as she rememb

But things got worse when her aunt stopped visiting. Nobody would tell Haru why. Her mother always seemed eager to change the subject. Her father would give her the same brusque answer each time: “She made a choice to act in a way unbecoming of herself and her family. She has left.” Even in the pouring water, Acanthus felt tears on her cheeks, washed away as they formed. After her aunt left, Haru’s father changed. It was an almost imperceptible shift. He was sadder, and harsher. His stoic demeanor had solidified even further. Six months after her aunt’s last visit, he pulled Haru out

Acanthus was acutely aware of the icy water. Thrust back into the present. Her mind began to wander. When will I know why I’m here? Again, these quests and their strange, philosophical requirements. Maybe there’s a timer. I’m not sure I want to keep thinking about family right now. I’m already homesick, and lingering on all the bad doesn’t do me any good. And it wasn’t all bad either. She thought about the times that she would go out with her family. They would go shopping together, and she would try on dresses with her mother. They often stopped somewhere for dessert. Even back then

Water pounded Acanthus. It battered her head and shoulders, and drenched her entirely. She used that feeling to focus herself further. Harnessing the physical feeling of the water, she remembered the kicks and blows she practiced as a child. She remembered coming home and showing her family. Her mother complimented her passively, her father gave tight-lipped praise. But her aunt… She always showed her aunt everything she learned. Her aunt loved to watch Acanthus—Haru—throw her chaotic kicks with the passion of a child learning new things. Anytime her aunt stopped by, Haru would talk her e

Why am I here? It wasn’t just to enjoy the view. It wasn’t just to conquer her fear of heights. And it wasn’t even as simple as being something she could never do in real life. There was something more to it. Something deeper. She focused inward. She wanted this experience. All of it. The good, the bad, the painful. She had been denied before. A shame, given how happily everything started. Haru brought the form home joyfully. Her mother regarded her with the same warm happiness she always did. Her father eyed the form carefully, as though it might sprout teeth and attack them al

The “seat” in question was a slick rock overlooking the grounds of the dojo. It was slick because of the hundreds of gallons pouring onto it. Part of Acanthus doubted that she would not be worn into nothing by the pouring water, but she trusted the Master. It’s time to stop doubting others—and myself. Without a word, she moved to the rock, and sat down with crossed legs. The world was instantly drowned in the roaring waterfall. The wind and birds of the dojo were washed away, and even the Master’s voice was dull. “When you have honed your mind, come and find me at the top of the staircase

Five days into her training, Acanthus slowed into her final pose. From a crane position, she brought her raised leg out, setting it down gently, across the narrow path as she had been instructed. The Master regarded her approvingly. “Excellent work. There are no more forms to teach you at this time.” Acanthus bowed. I can’t believe I started this quest on a whim, and here I am treating it like its the real thing. She thought somewhat bitterly about how none of this would translate into the real world. First thing out of Aincrad, I’m finding a class. The thought surprised her. She had

“Demonstration is over. Let us return to the forms.” One by one, the Master taught her. 24-step simplified form. Lee-style short form. 8-step silk reeling. She struggled to keep up with the Master, but he was patient with her. After her fifth failure in executing the strikes of the silk reel, she made a disappointed sound. “Be patient with yourself. You are learning a lifetime of movements in a matter of days.” It really has been days, hasn’t it? She had anticipated the quest being simple: climb a mountain, talk to the man, and leave. Instead, time had flown by as she learned the dif

“Already you have mastered the first form. Let us move on to the others.” “Sensei…” She struggled with how to phrase her question. “I… I’m not exactly built for martial arts. Shouldn’t I… I should be weight training, or something?” The Master gave her a hard look. “Who put that thought into your mind?” She is a girl. If she stays in this class, she will get hurt. I won’t pay for my daughter to be thrown around by a bunch of boys twice her size. “I… It was just a thought.” The Master moved over to one of the sparring dummies. “Look at me, apprentice. Describe me.”

“Let us start with basic footwork and breathing. I know that it may seem simple, but even these must be mastered to move forward. Spread your feet. Bend at the knees. Feel your center of gravity lower, but not falter.” Acanthus followed each instruction as it was given, taking deep breaths between each step. Instantly, she felt her body relax. I was made for this. The master regarded her form. “A strong grasp of the basics. Have you studied before?” Maintaining her stance, she responded. “Yes, Sensei. But I was very young, and I did not stay for long.” “I see. A shame. Let

With a final push, she crawled over the ledge on her stomach. An old man sat serenely at the cliff face, admiring the view. “Ah, a new student. Welcome.” The monastery had a humble beauty to it. A crashing waterfall framed the simple dojo, unpainted but well-kept. Around the dojo, a sprawling garden served as the only decoration. A winding staircase in the background disappeared up the mountain with little fanfare. She wondered where it went off to. The teacher followed her gaze and chuckled. “In good time. There are tasks for you to complete first.” Acanthus returned wearing a

Thirty minutes later, and the peak appeared like a mirage in the desert. She wasn’t sure if it was a trick of the light, but the mountain really did seem to level out. Just a little further, and— A sudden lurch, and she was hanging by one hand. She’d missed the next rock while she was daydreaming. “Ffff—” A lady does not swear. “–ff…rats.” With the game’s help, she swung herself up and connected firmly with the wall. That was close. I don’t think it would have killed me, but losing almost an hour of climbing might have done me in for the day. Acanthus focused in on the remainder

With a moment to think, she reflected on why she had decided to climb hundreds of meters up a mountain for a quest on the second floor. Part of her thought that the martial arts skill seemed interesting. Part of her thought that the sword art it taught would be valuable in future fights. But her underlying reason was, in her opinion, less tangible than that. I’d never get to do this in real life. She rolled over and gazed out on the second floor. It was a beautiful panorama of mountains and verdant fields. About six kilometers away, a colorful speck that was Urbus teemed with life. It’s s

This was a terrible idea. Why. Why am I here. Acanthus clung to the side of a mountain. Start conquering one fear, and you decide to jump straight into finishing it off. But the mountain seemed just as likely to finish her. High up in the peaks of the second floor, she had climbed for hours. And hours. And hours. I’m not sure that I’m even halfway up. She reached for a handhold and pulled herself up. With an unnatural ease, she lifted herself to the next rocky outcropping. There’s no way I actually have this strength. It’s just the game assist rescuing me. Heaving herself up and

Crafting for 8/9/2024 (Ambition active: +1 EXP per crafting attempt | Trinket) Roll: ID# CD: LD: Quality Count Experience 1 224819 CD: 6 LD: 18 Salvage (Success) - +3 2 224820 CD: 6 LD: 20 Salvage (Success) - +3

Purchasing 1 Spyglass and 1 Custom Ambition Tool. 800 + 800 = 1,600 col

Crafting for 8/8/2024 (Ambition active: +1 EXP per crafting attempt) Roll: ID# CD: LD: Quality Count Experience 1 224754 CD: 1 LD: 15 Critical Fail - +2 2 224755 CD: 3 LD: 18 Fail - +2 EXP: 23/3

Acanthus paused a moment to think. “No, I don’t think I know a Marv. I’m down here to buy some materials, and well... I’m a little lost.” She sighed. “I am guessing by your comments that the shop behind you sells leeches, and that is not what I’m looking for. I may just call it a day and do some more composing back in the shop.” Just beforehand, the man in dark clothes had flicked his wrist, and a large clapboard appeared. Acanthus now eyed the announcement with curiosity. “What is ‘Shark Bait Training’? It sounds interesting.” It sounds dangerous. Acanthus, what on earth are you doi

“Hello again.” She bent down to pet the cat once more. After the day she had, it was a welcome way to relax. She noticed the orders in the corner, next to a bowl of salmon. Admiring the craftwork, she slipped the ring on. She felt an immediate sense of comfort. It wasn’t actually her mom’s ring, but the artisan had somehow managed a near perfect replica. Turning to the tuning fork, she almost gave it a ring in the shop before remembering her description to the artisan. Best to wait until I’m outside. Consulting the pricing chart one more time, Acanthus counted out 1,000 col for her two Ti

Name: Sudden Sonata Profession: Performer Rank: 1 Roll ID: 224389 Roll Result: CD: 10 LD: 19 Item Type: Support Song Tier: 1 Quality: Uncommon Masterpiece Enhancements: Instant HP Recovery 1 Post Link: Here Description: A song that ends almost as soon as it begins, but l

Crafting for 8/7/2024 Roll: ID# CD: LD: Quality Count Experience 1 224389 CD: 10 LD: 19 Uncommon Masterpiece - +3 2 224390 CD: 4 LD: 2 Fail - +1 EXP: 19/39

8/6/2024 Name: A Call to Memory Profession: Performer Rank: 1 Roll ID: 224317 Roll Result: 12 Item Type: Support Song Tier: 1 Quality: Perfect Enhancements: Familiar Sight Post Link: Here Description: A aria that draws in the listener and fascinates its

Crafting for 8/6/2024 Roll: ID# CD: LD: Quality Count Experience 1 224316 CD: 4 LD: 3 Fail - +1 2 224317 CD: 12 LD: 2 T1 Perfect Support Song - +8 EXP: 15/39

I can’t believe I’ve lost my way to the market. Again. Fortaleza refused to teach Acanthus how to navigate its winding streets. She had been down here three times for various errands. And each time, against all odds, she stumbled into the wrong building. Once, she accidentally left the city lost in thought. By the time the guards were done laughing at her, they made her pay twice the usual bribe to get back in. She watched as players traveled the town in bands. Acanthus regarded them with a light sense of envy. Maybe someday, I’ll strike up a little confidence. Ask someone to party u