[PP-F4]Hot Springs Party - (KoB & Guests)

[Mack 0]

OOC: A few random people have been invited to this thread as well. Since Mack is the host... he can invite whomever he likes. :) Make sure you drink the punch, it will make you glitter for the length of the thread. Also, I need a volunteer to do something most amusing. PM for details.

Having permanently marked the location of the hot springs he had discovered on the fourth floor on his map, knowing that the site would be a popular one among all the players, Mack had set up another little party for everyone. Given that he wasn't renting out a bar, as Opal was fond of doing, the cost of the event was considerably less. Simply show up and set everything up and then wait to see who showed up. The hot springs themselves, heated from some geothermal source from deep beneath the digital ground, offered a resting spot that was quiet welcome on the fourth floor. Especially when it came to players like his dear twin, Magda, who was not even slightly fond of the cold. The evening itself couldn't have been more perfect, at least in this part of the fourth floor. The sky was clear, the moon was full, the air was chill, and the water was decidedly not. The full moon meant that the effect of the glitter potion that had been used to spike the punch bowl would be significantly magnified. There were no torches tonight, but everyone would be serving as their own night light since Mack had placed the spiked punch just out of sight of the springs with a note attached that said he would personally remove anyone that didn't drink the punch before arriving.

"See," Mack rumbled in a low tone to Piera, wrapping one massive glittering arm around the bespectacled woman's shoulders, "I told you nothing bad would happen so long as you were with me. Besides look at Chewie and... uh... Griffie? They're having a good time." Good time may have been a bit of an overstatement. Chewie was determinedly swimming around in hot pursuit of the much faster griffin, obviously the bear's intent was to try and eat the griffin. Of course, why wouldn't Chewie try to do that? After all, the rule only was that he wasn't supposed to try to eat Piera's familiar while he was in the alchemist's shop. They weren't in the shop right now.

As had been the case with the previous party, there were various floating tables set up with a variety of drinks and food items laid out for people to go and take and eat at their leisure. "So, you may as well relax and enjoy yourself, others will be along shortly. I see you're also wearing your amulet tonight."

[Greg Baxen 0]

Greg, despite his usual inactivity tendencies (Which he had been trying to get over), had been one of the first to arrive. He was a member of the KoB now (at least, he figured that he was. He did attend the Social, didn't he?). He took a look at the note and promptly drunk the punch. Enough that the glitter started taking effect, anyway. He walked up and greeted Mack before walking off to get changed into swimwear (Because what else would one enter the water with)? Before slowly getting in. He would have done a cannonball in were it not for two factors. 1: This was a hot spring, not a swimming pool. 2: Rule #1 of all hot water baths: get in slowly. He didn't want to end up scalding himself because of his carelessness. He had been in a sauna before but THIS was something else. Once he had gotten used to the temperature, all Greg could mutter was "So relaxing..." as he felt himself loosen up. It seems he was still a kid in some ways after all.

[Piera 0]

Piera had been very uneasy when Mack had come back to her dilapidated shop with an offer to accompany him to a get together...on the fourth floor. She had immediately rejected his offer of course, not wanting to return to that floor anytime soon. But he had managed to talk her around with reassurances. And now they were already at the hot springs and she had been forced to sample the punch. Her shoulders were still tense under the axeman's large arm, though a smile was coaxed to her lips as her friend soothed her once again and told her to look at their familiars. They had already ran towards the water. Well Chewie had ran. "His name is Jareth." The alchemist corrected, amused at the name Mack had thought up. Said owl griffin was fluttering over the hot spring, not eager to touch the water, but still occasionally diving low to antagonize the poor cub. "And 'good time' is a bit of an overstatement. I'm pretty sure Chewie's been seasoning Jareth with his eyes the entire time he's been over, heh."

Looking around at the mostly snow free area, Piera felt like she was getting a flash of deja vu. It looked nearly exactly like how it did with the party Mack had thrown before one of the boss fights. How long ago had that even been? Back when she enjoyed alchemy... Shaking herself from her more depressing thoughts, the brunette looked up at Mack as he told her to relax and enjoy herself before remarking on the Amulet of Hoya he had given her ages ago. Fingers automatically touching the golden celtic knotwork, she nodded. "It's comforting. And it goes with everything." The latter statement was said lightly. Finally spotting the only other player there yet, Piera raised her hand tentatively with a shy, "Hey..." She didn't recognize him but assumed that he was a friend of Mack's.

Then she realized that she needed to exchange her warm gear for something more fitting of a hot spring and flicked open her menu to equip her swimsuit. It was then that the potion that the punch had been spiked with finally kicked in and she blinked rapidly as she suddenly glittered more than a my little pony. "Oh god why...Maaaack... With my own potion?" She asked with slight betrayal in her voice, though a smile flickered at the corner of her mouth.

Edited March 20, 2016 by Piera

[Xion 0]

Xion smiled as he walked up to the entrance of the hot springs, currently wearing his casual outfit of a trenchcoat, trousers and boots, all of which were coloured either black, or very very dark grey. Upon reaching the entrance the blonde tank drank the lunch as instructed by the sign and instantly regretted it : he was bloody sparkling like some terrible twilight vampire. "MACK I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL STAB YOU WITH A TEASPOON AND SLOWLY CHOKE YOU TO DEATH WITH SCONES. I DONT WEAR A BLACK TRENCHCOAT TO LOOK PRETTY DAMNIT" he said as he walked in, his middle fingers extended in the direction of the hulking red head as he did. 

Either way the blonde was there, and may as well enjoy himself. So he unequipped his clothes, leaving a pair of swimming trunks, his sparkly not-hot-at-all nerd body free for all to see...great. The tank then slowly got into the hot spring pall, resting at the side as he closed his eyes. 

[Hydra 0]

"Um is this the place?" Hydra had been wandering around for a good proportion of the day after receiving an invite to visit some hot springs on floor 4. Unfortunately the spearman wasn't well acquainted with the area so was rather worn out by the time he arrived. "Looks right to me". The player was frozen solid and would of liked nothing more but to have entered the hot spring right in that moment, yet as he walked forward the brunette noticed a bowl of punch with a note demanding guests to drink some. "Huh... there's always a catch" he laughed sarcastically. It looked rather odd to say the least but Hydra didn't want to be rude so had his fill then continued on.

Upon entering the area he immediately recognised Mack and Xion who was resting in the hot spring although the other faces he did not have names to match. Feeling slightly awkward the spearman went to get changed only then to realise his body was glowing in the light of the moon, "What the?!...Just keep going" the spearman whispered in a hushed tone. His familiar he had finally decided to name twilight emerged from his pocket and wrapped around his leg. Trying his best to ignore the glowing light the young man proceeded into the water giving everyone a friendly smile and waving at the faces he knew. Twilight climbed his body and rested on his shoulders to keep above the water. Hydra instantly felt relief as his bones began to dethaw, however the secondary effects of the punch had also begun to take place  and the players mind slowly began to crumble under the effects of alcohol. (Twilight is a two headed snake with dragon like wings)

 

Edited March 21, 2016 by Hydra

[Takao 0]

"Relax, it's just a hot spring." Takao said as he trudged through the snowy streets of the fourth floor. He exchanged a brief glance with the scaled familiar perched atop his shoulders, staring angrily over Takao's head in the direction the two walked. "You probably won't even be cold when we get there. It'll be kinda like a uh... sauna. 'sides, we can use a day to relax before we get started." Once upon a time, Takao had done his own extensive mapping of the snow covered floor. The Hot Springs had been located and mostly ignored due to a general lack of interest in them on his lonesome, but now with a purpose he found that a short visit wouldn't do him any wrong.

Arriving at the aforementioned venue, Takao was met with a specific request... or rather a warning of sorts. With a raised eyebrow, he stared at the spiked bowl of punch. "...Right... So I'm guessin' he's either doin' the same thing he did with Opal, or it's laced with like... LSD or something." He muttered aloud. His musings seemed to go over the familiar's head, who was more interested in the prospect of consuming everything in sight than he was weighing the risks of what it might be shoving in its mouth. The small wingless dragon grabbed toward the bowl as Takao raised a glass up to him, and chuckled inwardly. "Your funeral, dude." He said whilst pouring himself another. A quiet shimmering sound earned the familiar a second glance, and a subsequent snort of laughter at the sight of the glittering monster. "Hah, called it." Takao said, just before taking a drink of his own.

The brunet proceeded inside and swapped out his typical hunting equipment with similarly styled trunks; green and black in colour, of course. He moved on into the springs themselves and was greeted with the sight of a few players already gathered. Mack and Piera were the most prominent, likely due to the aforementioned red-head's imposing stature. Xion's yelling had alerted him to the blonde's presence well before he even saw the teen, and a few others that he hadn't met before lingered. "'ey Mack, Piera." He greeted upon passing, offering them his usual warm smile. The familiar on his shoulders prepared to stay there for as long as it could, blissfully unaware of the shimmering nature of its scales.

"'ey Edward." Takao said as he sank down into the water, his eyes shifting toward Xion. His words were laced with a teasing tone, despite the dry cadence to his humour. "How's Bella?"

[Mack 0]

"He probably has, but at least he hasn't tried to eat the griffin," Mack admitted with a shrug as Piera flicked through her menu and activated her swimwear. "I guess I need to do that as well," Mack admitted with a shrug, one arm still draped across Piera's shoulders as he used his free hand flick through his own menu, nodding a greeting to Greg as he did so, and activating his own swim trunks, which given their pattern of red, white, and blue stars and stripes would leave no one in any doubt as to his nationality. No sooner had he done so than Piera began to glitter like the noon day sun in the night's full moon. "Of course with your own potion, I don't have to provide lanterns and torches this way," the gigantic blacksmith intoned as Xion made his displeasure at Mack's idea of mood lighting well known.

"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? There are low-level players that have never heard such talk," Mack called out across the hot spring in Xion's direction as Hydra entered the area and he guided Piera into the water. "Next time I'll bill you for the lighting costs, you have any idea how much that is. Buying a simple glamour potion and spiking the punch is much easier and cheaper. Besides, now I can keep an eye on everyone." The axe man slipped into the water, one arm still wrapped protectively around Piera's shoulders. The alchemist needed to get out of her shop and face her fear over... whatever it was that had happened. Mack still wasn't completely up to date on all the details. But, there would be plenty of people here that she knew and that could keep an eye on her... and if anyone acted in the wrong way, the ginger giant would knock their teeth through the back of their digital skulls. It was as simple as that.

"Takao, glad you came. You ever change your mind about the Knights, well you know how to find me," Mack rumbled, raising a hand in greeting to Takao as the glittering hunter and his equally bespangled familiar made their way on over to where Xion was, no doubt to harass the tank. It was good for Xion, it built up his character. Meanwhile, Chewie and his little chocolate eyes hadn't missed the appearance of glittering lunch in the form of Takao's familiar. However, his bawled challenge in the direction of the wingless dragon was cut short as Jareth dive bombed the bear, landed for the briefest of seconds on Chewie's head, forcing the grizzly under water, and then took off once more. The spluttering bear cub shot the griffin a look of deepest loathing and then made a paddling bee line for Piera. Two could play this game, he'd just see if she loved him more than Jareth or not.

[Piera 0]

Piera glanced at Mack with singular raised eyebrow as he attempted to defend his familiar by saying that Chewie hadn't attempted to eat Jareth, to which she added to with emphasis, "Yet. I haven't seen him encounter a single familiar that he hasn't tried to eat at least once."  Glancing down at the man's newly equipped swim trunks, the brunette snorted a laugh at his bold declaration of patriotism. It rather reminded her of something that Lee would wear back home. "Very nice. I'm sure our country would be proud." Her statement was said with a bit of sarcasm, but she still smiled, starting to feel a bit more at ease as more people began to show up.

The added distraction of everyone being sparklier than a bad vampire didn't hurt either and the bespectacled woman raised her arm for inspection, turning it as it glowed and reflected further light. Her shoulders tensed and drew up slightly at the sound of a male voice yelling and she turned in the direction of the loud oddly worded threats, already feeling a little more anxious until she saw who it was. Someone she actually recognized, albeit from quite a long time ago. Xion. The last time she remembered seeing him was the failed guild meeting between the Velvet Room and the Crimson Blades. Though she might have caught sight of him in passing after that and simply didn't remember. Mack's response to his former (or perhaps it was still current?) guildmate eased her. She might have chuckled if she still didn't feel a remaining pit of anxiousness as her friend guided her into the calming hot water. Piera felt awkward having the monolithic man so very much in her personal space, but while it made her uneasy sometimes, it was helping her stay calm and feel safe. Sitting on a rock, the alchemist sank into the water with a silent sigh. It really did feel amazing.

Smiling slightly as the redheaded man complained about having to pay for lighting over simply buying a potion she commented, "Lighting costs, hm? And how are we supposed to keep an eye on you if you don't partake as well? Counting on your glittery personality?" Her stomach still felt fluttery with unease, but she covered it up with humor. Piera blinked at the sound of someone saying her name and she looked up to see another familiar face. This one was less engrained as she was sure she had only met him once or twice, but remembered his name from Lowenthal and Jomei speaking of him as a fellow front liner and of course a great chef. Which only left her to wonder how he had remembered her own name. "Hey Takao. Good to see you again. I'm surprised you remember me." The latter part was said lowly, more to herself than anything as she smiled slightly at his near glowing miniature dragon.

Raising her arm yet again and watching the water droplets accumulate on her oddly hairless skin, magnifying the glitter more, behind her glasses, her green eyes caught a familiar slithering movement and she focused on the snake like familiar perched upon another player's shoulder as he relaxed in the hot spring. Piera's mouth opened slightly in sentimental wonder before saying to Hydra without thinking, "She's beautiful." Then realizing that she pretty much just said that aloud with no clue as to what or who exactly she was talking about, the brunette glanced down with pinkened ears before correcting with a nod towards Hydra's shoulder. "Y-Your familiar I mean. He, she, whatever."  

She was saved from further embarrassment by Chewie's challenge toward the first familiar he caught sight of, Takao's, before choking out a laugh as her owl griffin swooped down and pushed him under water! Covering her mouth as she chortled, Piera watched as the grizzly then started paddling towards her and assumed he was running to his master for 'backup' or something of that sort. But instead he swam towards her, and the young woman couldn't help but pet the wet fur of his head. "Maybe if you'd stop trying to eat him, he wouldn't be so mean." While she attempted the diplomatic approach, Jareth decided that two could play that game and fluttered down to perch on Mack's ample shoulder, tucking his wings in delicately before tilting his head at the bear cup as if to say, 'your move'.

[Magda 0]

She didn't want to go! In fact it took her a great deal of time just to work up the courage to step into the teleportation area and even longer to utter that singular phrase that would take her to that place. The place that harbored one of her most dreaded enemies that had plagued her from time to time throughout her live... the ever so deadly cold. Not to mention all of that snow! "Ugh!" Eventually she just said it to get it over with and she stumbled out of the portal in that quaint little village of huts. The cold pressed in on her without delay and she started to shiver. She let out a small sigh and as her hot breath flowed from between her parted lips it turned to fog as it mixed with the frigid air. "This hot spring had best be worth it," she mumbled. Mack knew how she felt about this place. It was bad enough she had to come here just to see him at his forge and to send her that invitation? Well she really couldn't argue a party at a hot spring. How often did she get to do that after all? So she begrudgingly started to walk towards where she'd been instructed to go. Her pace was slow at first. Almost leisurely in fact. That is until she suddenly growled and lowered her posture into the stance a marathon runner might take. Then she was off. A cloud of snow dust was left in her wake.

It was so stinking cold! Madga was hurtling down the path to get to the hot spring all too ready to dive right in to beat back the unsettling chill that had settled into her bones. "Mack," she grumbled under her breath. Oh she was going to have words with her brother! No doubt about it! She continued to sprint along while she tried to get her body warmed up from the exercise. The snow crunched under her boots with each step. When she came into range of the punch bowl she slowly stopped and looked at it. Her brow furrowed as a shiver spread throughout her body. "Why isn't this frozen," she mused before she shrugged and drank a quick glass before she turned to leave. Suddenly the area around her lit up in a sparkling display and she froze instantly. "W-what is that?" She asked as she looked down and frantically patted down her body as if she were on fire. Then it slowly started to occur to her that something must have been done with the punch. "WHAT?!" Her voice rang out through the area with a fevered pitch as she started to spring down the path with renewed vigor. OH SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE WORDS WITH THAT MAN!! Along the way she dug down deep and simply tolerated the cold as she reached down and scooped up a handful of snow only to continue along her way. With each step she packed the snow tighter between her hands.

The snowball that she aimed at the big man's chest proved to be the harbinger of her arrival. Madga came barreling into the area like a madwoman before she skidded to a halt in front of her brother with her eyes narrow, jaw set, and brow furrowed. She lifted one hand as he tilted her hand and pointed at him. "Now look here," she started to say before her voice drifted off into silence when she realized there were already others here. Well that was one way to make a first impression. She let out a soft dejected sigh as she stood up to nearly the same height as Mack and looked him square in the eye. Her arms were folded across her chest. The heat that flowed off the hot springs offered a subtle respite from the chill that had hounded her all the way here.

Edited March 21, 2016 by Magda

[Hunie 0]

Parties. The blonde recalled the fear that word would send radiating down her entire being, once her parents mentioned it. Parties meant hours of endless pitiful stares from people Sophie didn't even like. Not to mention the pretentious questions about 'How she was doing, in terms of her health...' They all knew the family had tried everything to fix Hunie's legs, if she was not walking around, there had really been no progress. While her parents were patient enough and would often relay false information about some other doctor they were going to try, Hunie would just wait till everyone was drunk enough on the sake and retreat to her gaming arena in the basement. Her brother Raun would cover for her if anyone asked... In SAO however, things would be different. After all Hunie wasn't Sophie. Hot springs on floor 4... The blonde considered carefully. The last time she'd been on that snow covered level if it wasn't for that little bear cub, she'd probably have a permanent brain freeze... She recalled Chewie fondly, at least that's what she believed he was called. Hot springs should help matters too. The more Hunie thought about it, the more keen and excited she was to attend this event. Finally a chance to attend something, standing on my own two feet. Literally.

The girl was lucky to have a rather good rapport with NPCs. Hunie wouldn't understand why a bunch of programmed pixels enjoyed interacting with her, but occasionally they gave her little treats... She resorted to accepting them very rarely... a free dessert here and a heavily discounted trinket there... But today she needed something. She wondered if the old tailor on the second floor would have the few items she needed. There was no chance Hunie was going onto the fourth floor without proper coveralls this time.  After exchanging a few pleasantries with the white haired NPC, Hunie asked for what she needed, which the woman gave to her, custom made and all, for no cost. 'I hope my grand daughter grows to look like you...' She had said. To which Hunie had responded with an embarrassed smile. Soon armed with a pretty white dress, a heavy white coat and a sleek white costume underneath, Hunie set off for the fourth floor. She had unequipped her battle items, it didn't do well to walk into a friendly gathering armed with conflict oriented items... The journey up to the fourth floor was an uneventful one, thank fully. 
 

Spoiler

 

Upon getting there, Hunie grew conscious, she barely recognised anyone, except the host, the generous forger who had armed her for free and his twin...  Upon more careful scanning, she noticed the green eyed brown haired guy she had run into in a cafe. The others there had referred to him as a Frontliner... It felt heavenly. Since she didn't know anyone really and from what she could infer, they all seemed like they were higher level than her for sure, she felt a little out of her league. Unsure of what to do exactly, the ambled her way around to get herself some punch. All the while she kept an eye out for the adorable bear cub, hoping he had accompanied his master. Pouring the punch into a glass, she clasped it carefully between her hands and looked down at it and sipped it slowly. As she did, she noticed a glowing aura grow around her, it wasn't scary, Hunie was used to the fact that drinks in games had strange affects on people. This of course was more... personal. Upon closer inspection, she realised she was the source of this aura... 

 

The incandescence and shimmer, made her feel like she was a piece of the moon that hung in the sky, especially with the white dress she had chosen to don. It sure did boost her self esteem.  The blonde scanned the area and noticed others too were... glittering. Hunie giggled, rather amused with the magical drink she had consumed. Bless gaming and technology she thought. Just for this evening, she didn't want to be haunted by what the game actually entailed. Now that it was warmer, around the springs, she unequipped the heavy coat, proudly carrying the dress which looked rather like a downturned white lily, she tiptoed her way to the hot springs, drink in hand. The girl sat at the edge and dipped her toes into the warm water...she hoped someone would approach her instead of her having to walk around and introduce herself and her embarrassingly low stats. The girl in white, wasn't sure if she had caught the forger's eye, but she smiled and gently nodded in his direction, to let him know she was grateful for his invite. 
 

Edited March 21, 2016 by Hunie

[Jomei 0]

"...What is this.. some sort of cult meet?"

The Irishman asked his rhetorical question to the noirette who stood next to him, as his middle and pointer fingers ran along the words of the sign telling them to drink the punch. The man chuckled as he looked into the contents of the bowl, "What do you think is gonna happen to us? The drink slowly taking out all of our bodily functions until we cease to live? " he jested the possible fate of the two as he poured some into a glass for himself and Zandra. "...But then again, you are also a master at this type of stuff.. so you could probably tell its deadly or not right..?" at least, he hoped he was right. He had no idea if she would be able to pick out the details of something that may not even be a potion. He shook his head, placing a small cup in Zandra's hand, "Nonetheless, lets get heading towards the hot springs.. If we don't see anyone there, then we know not to drink it." 

After a short walk over some snow banks, Jomei's eyes came upon the familiar sight of the Hot Springs. Scanning over the pools, he felt relieved to see that everyone was sitting comfortably, and alive. He let out a sigh of relief, looking at the drink in his hand that he still had not sipped from yet. He stepped through the snow and up to where Mack and Piera were relaxing in the water. He crouched down behind them and waved, "Hey there. Looks like a pretty good turn out so far... and everyone looks so bright and radiant.. wonder if its something special with the hot springs." he said with a laugh, bringing the cup of punch to his lips and downing half of the drink. As he lowered the cup, he looked at his hand; it was pretty much shining in the moonlight. So that's why he wanted us to drink the punch. Jomei frowned and sighed, "Dammit Mack.. I thought I reflected light enough with my pale skin, but this is ridiculous." Standing up, he waved to Zandra, "Its alright. It just makes you sparkly, won't kill you." As he brought the hand down that waved to Zandra, he opened his inventory and removed his clothing, leaving him only in a pair of green and black swim trunks. The man did not have a large, muscular body, but his muscles were toned and defined, giving him a very fit look. He walked back over to Zandra through the snow before slowly lowering himself into the water, letting out a sigh of relief. 

[Ssendom 0]

Dom had received a message from Mack specially inviting him to a Knights of the Blood Oath get together, but formally in the sense that the man respected the Greatsword Wielder. "You know, it's not often someone sends out a formal message to you to invite you to a get together where you're not even technically apart of the group. That's some high level respect, dontcha think Amethyst?" He asked his faithful Purple Phoenix Whelp. The bird just chirped and nodded in agreement, then flew around making letters in the air with the trail of fire 'Where is the event?' Dom stayed laying in his bed chuckling, "You're one hell of a smart bird to learn how to write messages with your flames to talk to me, you know that?" He complimented the fiery bugger which chirped and rubbed it's face on the Berserker himself.

The Dreadnought petted the bird then got up and out of his bed, "Hell that'll be one heck of a long walk. I don't even know who'll be attending." He stated as he got up and walked over to his dresser. Dom seemed to prefer doing things the standard way rather than letting the system do it for him. He dressed himself in his white swim trunks, since the get together was actually at a hot springs he knew he would atleast need it. Afterwards he grabbed his Dark Green Kimono with a Black Dragon stitched in tattoo styled way and adorned it on his shoulders, "You know... I miss that girl but atleast I got something good out of that relationship at one point. Lowe knows how to make a killer Kimono." He chuckled.

After he was fully dressed he kept the Commandant's Pendant dangling from his neck, showing with what guild he keeps his loyalties to. He turned to look at Amethyst, "You know, nothing to knock against Knights of the Blood Oath, they're really making a name for themselves. But you gotta admit, they don't have a Guild Hall such as this. And I know they couldn't afford it with their Income generation." He chuckled, the fire bird chirping in such a way to imitate laughter. Dom grabbed the Hydra Skull and placed it upon his head, dropped the menu and set it to invisible parameters so he would show up as though he weren't wearing armor, "Can never be too safe around people you don't know." He said honestly. Finally setting his Sword to Battle-Ready incase someone decided to try something funny to the Berserker, he wouldn't let that person forgive their transgressions.

Now that he looked completely defenseless and the good scar across his eye from his recent battles, with the scarring setting selected on the options menu. He made his way out, getting ready to enjoy the company of people, assuming there were any. It was quite the walk to the thirteenth floor teleportation gate, so the man has some time to think to himself with his faithful companion following him perched upon his shoulder. He looked at the deadlands cloudy sky, "You know Meo... I wonder what you've been up to. I've been trying to live my life without you, but each day gets harder and harder... I hope you can forgive me." He said to himself solemnly as he approached the teleportation gate, "Teleport: Floor Four Hot Springs." He shouted having learned from a previous expedition when you claimed the Berserker Unique Skill of the teleportation gate nearest the location set.

When the teleportation had finished the cold air immediately began to envelope both Amethyst and the Berserker, both who were absolutely accustomed to the heat of the ninth floor, "Gods hate me I swear it..." He muttered to himself as he trudged through the snow letting his Dark Green Kimono become covered on the bottom in the white flakiness. After he had completed the short walk from the tree surrounded Teleportation Gate, he found the location and a bowl of bunch that had been somewhat consumed from. He grabbed a cup and put a generous amount of the drink in it, since it was stated that he must. He brought it up to the bird who knelt down and sipped from it, "Well, now I see why he wants this." He stated as the glow of the Purple Fiery Phoenix Whelp began to glow in a more vibrant purple light, then downed the drink himself.

He entered the event seeing quite a few people. Most of which he recognized; Takao, Jomei, Piera, Mack the host, and the recently met Hunie who was sitting by her lonesome. The first thing he noticed about everyone is none of them held an Orange Crystal, even though the location was warm due to the Hot Springs this sent an unsettling chill up his spine. Dom knew most would be upset of his arrival since he had killed players in the past, he sighed and sat down next to Hunie dipping his feet into the water after bringing his Kimono away from the water. He dropped his inventory and brought out some alcohol for himself. The incredibly built warrior looked at Hunie and gave her a nod and a slight smile as he turned his attention to the rest of the players beginning to drink his Sake, "Yo Everyone." He exclaimed in a calm voice.

[Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0]

Fourth floor, the place a certain player had claimed as her home for a long time. This winter wonderland that player used to come to only to do a couple of minor quests. One of the few reasons why, she decided to have her shop located. At first yes, it was so cold that she wanted to set fire to the forest near floor 4's main setlement, Snowfrost Village, where her shop is currently just to get a bit more warmer. But in time, taking quests and going on material gathering throughout the floor made the blonde get used to the cold. If one should want a time span estimation of her 'scouting' throughout the floor, the blonde currently gathered around 75% of the floor's Map Data. But today she wouldn't adventure into unknown territory in search of col and fame but take a leisure visit at landmark on her map. A red one with the words:"T-chan's secret hot springs." underneath it appeared as she set a route towards it. 

She then hugged the black clad arm by her side and said with a smile on a soft voice: "You'll like it there!" while she poked his cheek. She giggled as she once again looked at him. "So handsome!" she said with genuine enthusiasm as she got him to wear the black kimono she'd made for him for this occasion. It was a simple design, that was used for going to the hot springs by men, while she had a white...slightly transparent one on. Without his knowledge that she went to this hot spring in the traditional japanese way to maybe get a chance to surprise her fiancé. Of course she'd consider his low cold resistance and possibly unwanted attention until reaching the place, preparing and wrapping around them the same black cape they had used during their first date in front of the frozen fountain, making little but their feet and heads visible as they walked together.

"You'll love it!" claimed the blonde as she slightly quickened the pace, small white clouds forming outside her red lips each time she spoke. Even her giggles would turn white as well as her bosom would bob up and down with each sound. Afterall they were all alone... or at least that would be the ideal situation. A pair of golden eyes traced them from the back and even if they weren't human, she at least could still feel daggers being thrown towards her. Kimba was following them, letting out growls filled with complains that the blonde for one was happy not to understand. As for Hikoru's familiar, the blonde wasn't sure if the weasel was still with them or not, it might've been hiding under his clothes again. As long as it didn't get on her nerves as Kimba's passive aggressive attitude, the 'weasel' was welcomed despite the blonde's desire for them to be alone.

Her happy mood didn't improve as she found the glittering boul and the warning: "Huh?" she let out a confused expression as she stared at the warning message, then brought forth the Map. They were close just after the punch bowl... She could hear people in front of them. With a rejected laugh she looked at Hikoru thinking: 'Well there goes the surprise...' and continued to voice her next thought: "Wanna try it?" she asked nodding towards the unknown liquid container in front of them. A bad feeling came from instincts.. telling her not to touch that think, though not so intense as it were life threatening... something was just....off about it.
 

[Zandra 0]

Zandra walked thru the deep snow with her ginger irish-man towards the party-like thing Mack had invited them too. She was pretty surprised when she got the invitation. The only time she had met the large man was during the traveler quest. She just hoped she wouldnt make a complete fool out of herself. Before long the couple came to a bowlwith some liquid that is some kind of punch during the information on the sign. Jomei seemed to be pretty suspicious of what it would do to him. She wondered if his suspiciousness had something to do with their first evning together. A smile appeared on her lips when she remebered her boyfriends face back then. She grabbed the glass that Jomei handed over to her and sniffed on it. Then she took a sip.''Well, since its not my own recipie, Im not hundred percent sure what is gonna happen, but if it is an potion in it its very weak, and if definitely wont kill or seriously harm you.'' Since Jomei decided to not drink it, said that they would wait and check out how it looked at the springs.

When they reached the destination, they could see alot of people already have arrived, and none off them seemed to feel bad. Except Jomei, there was only three persons she recognized. Mack, the host of the meeting. Takao that she adventured with on this floor a long, long time ago. The third one she recognized made her stop for a moment, but quickly keeping up with Jomei again. She looked at him when she saw the other high priestess of the now dead guild Velvet Room, Piera. Zandra couldnt remember how long time ago it was that she met her. It was Jomei that got them into contact with Mack and Piera and Zandra followed with. She hesitated first when Jomei said it was all fine to drink. It seemed that everyone present had got the same effect from it, shiny and sparkly. Thou she didnt knew how her body was gonna react. Her body have consumed several liters off potions with different effects during her long alchemical career. She was affraid that the effect would be different the the one from the rest and they would think she was strange or somethin. But she took a quick breath and swallowed it all in one gulp. It took longer for the punch to take effect on her compared to Jomei, but with a sigh of relief it seemed she got sparkly as well. Thou not as much as the rest, but her pale skin covered up so there was barely any difference.

Then Jomei entered one off the springs after chaning into a pair off swimming trunks. That was the first time she realised that you cant attend at a hot spring happening without changing into swimming clothes. She had almost never been bathing in public back int the real world, and when only during time off day and place when almost empty. To try on her bikini for the first time infront of so many people. She opened up her inventory and changed her outfit. Before the shine that surronded her from the change had faded she was already on her way down in the water beside Jomei.

Spoiler

 

[Hikoru 0]

Hikoru's teeth chattered as he walked in his kimono and jacket. He himself wasn't much for things like this, but his fiancée had forced him to come along, and in a kimono none-the-less. She had sweet talked him into it, and he sighed and he held her close from within the jacket. He was cold, no, far beyond cold, he was freezing. His teeth chattered louder and louder. He couldn't believe that she had talked him into having their wedding on this floor. But he had to admit, it was a beautiful floor none-the-less. He loved the snow, as it reminded him of home, but he hated the cold, so it was always a drawback to him. He sighed and continued into the building, where he was soon enveloped into a heat wave, and soon surrounded by people in bikini's, kimono's and basic clothing. He smiled and took off the coat, holding it and putting it into his inventory, and smiled as they went over to where the punch was located. there seemed to be some warning on it, and Ariel asked if he wanted some

"Um..." He said, and he looked around to see a player drink the punch, and old friend of his, Jomei, and soon he was sparkly. He stifled a laugh, then set the cup that he was about to fill with punch down "No thanks, i'm set." He said. He smiled and gave his love a small peck on the cheek, then he went and sat down on a nearby chair. He himself wasn't much of a social bug as others, and preferred to stay in the back. He gave a look to his fiancée and then smiled slightly "Sorry, I'm trying not to be a downer, go and socialize, i'll stay right here..." He said with a small laugh

[Mack 0]

OOC: Just in case it becomes a thing, I expect there to be NO VIOLENCE in this thread. Should anyone attack another player you can expect to fight Mack in addition to whomever you attack. For this thread all my gear is in At Ready Status. You've all been warned. Most of the non-KoB that are here are here at my invitation. :)

"Our country would be immensely proud," Mack rumbled in response, extending an arm around Piera's shoulders again and plucking her cup of punch from her hands. Reaching across her with his free hand he transferred the glass and quickly downed what remained of the drink in Piera's cup. Then the disco ball that was his torso lit up in the moonlight. Of course, that had been the plan all along. It would be impossible for anyone to sneak up on anyone else if they were all glittering. "And he's never tried to eat Ariel's familiar, Kimba, though he has tried to assert his dominance over the little lion," Mack continued as Chewie paddled over and began to receive attention from Piera, which led to the bear cub shooting a very smug and self satisfied look in Jareth's direction. Before the war could escalate any further, Mack plucked up the bear cub by the scruff of his neck and turned him to face the various floating tables of food, one of which was much smaller than the rest and marked by a flag with a bear paw on it. "See the one with the flag? That one's yours. Go be a pig." With that, Mack tossed his familiar with one hand in the direction of the table. The grizzly splashed down, quickly resurfaced and took off in the direction of the indicated table as fast as his paws would carry him.

As Piera launched into her conversation with Hydra and Takao, Mack rolled his own head backwards and peered up at his twin. She was angry about something. Perhaps because she was glittering more radiantly than the noonday sun. "Evening, sister dear," the red-head said by way of welcoming his heavy snow armed sister. "For someone that hates the cold, you sure have an odd way of carrying it around. We can't have that now," Mack rumbled, in a flash his free arm had shot up and wrapped around Magda's armor belt. Giving a sharp tug, the gigantic blacksmith made a very obvious attempt to bodily pull his twin into the hot springs by tossing her one handed over his head. While that was going on Mack nodded his head in Hunie's direction as she entered the party. "If you want food and drink you'll need to find another player to be your waiter... or hop into the water," he called to her.

Within a few moments more, Sword Art Online's tallest ginger, so far as he knew anyway, was joined by Jomei and Zandra, the former of whom crouched down behind him and Piera at the edge of the hot springs. "Evening, Jomei, you need to drink your punch, Zandra too," Mack rumbled in an almost lazy tone, rolling his head back once again to take in the speaker. Once Jomei had downed some of the drink, and taken on a sparkly demeanor, albeit unhappily, Mack grinned toothily up at him. "Of course it won't kill you, there's no honor in that. Now, get changed and enjoy the party with Zandra."

"Evening, Ssendom," Mack called as the berserker and his familiar grabbed a seat at the edge of the springs near Hunie. "Everyone's attention, for a moment," the massive strike team commander of the Knights of the Blood Oath called out, dropping easily into his drill instructor's voice which would carry across the whole hot springs. "We are all friends here, despite the color of our player markers," Mack said, giving the remark a moment to settle in before continuing. "Do not attack one another, you find yourselves having bitten off more than you bargained for. That will be all," he concluded, before tapping through his menu with his free hand that wasn't wrapped around Piera. Quickly he tapped out a two word message to Ssendom. All it said was, 'Redemption Quest?'

After sending the message out to Ssendom, Mack quickly scanned over the various guests that were present. A few people were not glittering in the pale moonlight. The bearded axe man scowled. The rules were absolute. Unless Heathcliff showed up. He wasn't going to try and force his Guild Leader to do something. "Drink your punch, or leave," Mack called across the space separating himself and Piera from Hikoru and Ariel. "Everyone gets to be lit up like Tinkerbell! No sparkly, no party!"

[Hydra 0]

Hydra hiccuped as the alcohol took hold of his system. As more and more guests poured in he began to feel quite puny. "Most of these look like front liners?!" He was panicking to himself. Hearing a voice he was unfamiliar with Hydra turned his head quickly "Sorry!" the Spear man nearly jumped at the water he had become so giddy. A player that Mack had wrapped his arm round before seemed to be staring at him, or rather his familiar. "Oh uh, I think it's a she" he responded anxiously to her question. There was a brief pause as chaos continued to unfold between many other familiars, a few of which Hydra had never seen before. His nerves calmed slightly and he continued "She is called Twilight or rather the whole thing is". The low level player gestured to each head "This one on the right is called Dawn, and this one on the left is called Dusk. I just name the whole familiar Twilight to make things easier".

Mack seemed to boom something about an Orange player at that point. Hydra averted his gaze to Ssendom who had taken a spot next to the other lower level player beside himself. He sighed and slowly submerged himself in the water blowing bubbles from underneath. His familiar had darted off by this point slithering through the water to find someone or something to do.   

[Jomei 0]

With a flash of white light behind him back on the land, Jomei turned around to look at Zandra with a smile as warm as the water he sat in. He then felt his entire body heat up even more and his face become red when he saw Zandra in her bathing suit. He had never seen the girl in clothes like that before, with so much showing. He took in a deep breath as the girl settled in next to him in the water. As she took a seat next to him, Jomei placed his arm around the girl, his hand on one of her bare shoulders. He looked at the girl with a smile and leaned in, his lips near her ear and whispered to her, "You look amazing by the way."  After he got her attention, he smiled and turned to his friends whom they had joined. 

Jomei looked to Piera and Mack who sat together, the latter who was currently in a situation with another crimson haired girl. "Its good to see you back again Piera. Lowenthal and I were honestly really worried the entire time you guys were gone... Speaking of which, where i Lee?"

[Magda 0]

She yelped as his arm reached out and snatched her and her body reacted almost instantly due to the training she'd received throughout her career as a fighter. However, skill in the real world didn't necessarily carry over into SAO. Before she could really counter his attempt to hurl her into the water Magda gasped as he was picked up off the ground and hurled into the water. "MACK YOU B..." the rest of what she said surfaced as bubbles once she vanished beneath the surface of the water. She'd been dressed in a casual teal tunic and a black dress that fell down beneath her knees and while she was submerged the effect of that glitter potion made her all too visible to anyone who happened to look. Slowly everything above her lips breached the water's surface. Magda huffed which only resulted in more air bubbles floating to the surface. While she was not all that thrilled about being dunked while she still had her clothes on the heat that soaked into her body was just too good to pass up or to relinquish in some attempt to get back at her brother. That would just have to wait. For now she waded a little deeper so she could let the hot water push the chill from her bones. Her goal at that point was just to relax.

Once she'd waded out far enough Magda turned around so she could look back towards the others. Her gaze flitted from one face to the next and she felt genuine surprise that Mack new this many people let alone socialized with them all. The feintest of smiles marred her otherwise sour expression. While she felt at ease for the moment that didn't mean she had to show it. So her brother was quite the socialite was he? He'd managed to gather quite the crowd this evening. The thought of how late it was drew her gaze skyward as he marveled at the sight of it.

[Heathcliff 0]

The Commander of the ever growing guild, the Knights of the Blood Oath, had received word about a party at the hot springs on the 4th floor. It was a good idea that the Commander should show up and have some fun with the members. Heathcliff started his way to the party and checked the locations of those in the guild. It seemed like mostly everyone was in attendance. The Living Legend figured it was about time to make a more casual appearance to the members of his guild.

After a while of walking, he finally reached the hot spring. The commander snuck in through the back and grabbed some punch. Well hello there everyone. Good to see you in high spirits and taking some time to have fun and relax. He said while finding a seat next to the hot spring. The man looked around, Doesn't seem like Opal has arrived yet. No matter, how is everyone doing this fine day? The Commander asked his members.