Bring Sweet Bab Home

[Mari 1]

Mari sat in her usual spot behind the alchemy table within the tent that served as her shop amidst the darkness of the 10th floor. “So it’s true, then? You know she was off limits, do you all have a f**king deathwish?”

“I do. I believe he did not.” A cloaked figure sat opposite her. His tone remained calm, completely opposite to the seething rage that Mari didn’t attempt to hide. He smirked. “Thought you were a new woman, no kiling. No violence.”

Mari grit her teeth. “I thought yer boss and I had an agreement. He keeps the f**k away from my business, and I his.”

The figure leaned back, a lithe finger tapping against the low set table. “Ahh yes...how is your...relationship with him, by the way?”

Amari scoffed, “Non-existent. You know we’re going to raid that sect’s place. You know sh*t will go down, and we will tear her away from Addel. If he has to die, he will.”

The figure chuckled. “Ah, but you won’t lift a finger. Will you Mari?” He stood and loomed over her. Wisps of long silver hair protruding from his cloak. As he reached out, the mark of the Black Adder became prominent on his lower arm. “You’re bound not to.” He pushed strands of her cotton candy hair back over her ear. “It’s an agreement, yes?”

“Get the f**k out of here.”

The man knew his message was clear, and he knew that Mari - despite her tough talk would not willingly hurt any of the members of the Black Adder guild.

“Of course, I’d hate to upset you.” He bowed his head and turned to leave the tent.

Mari took a deep breath to calm herself down. The others would be here soon, no doubt they may even bump into the hooded man. If they saw his tattoo, that'd cause trouble - but for now, Amari had a meeting to conduct, and a rescue to aid.
 

[Domarus 0]

"No!  No please!  I submit!  I submit!!!"  The player continued to scream and plead as Domarus slowly made his way over, his ax ready to chop off every part of the player off.  His black armor pulsed it's dark red glow, his familiar had pinned the player to the ground.  It was the perfect opportunity.  Especially since this was a duel.  A duel to the death.  However he had other plans.  Domarus turned his ax around and stabbed it at the player, who flinched and screamed, then stopped as he saw that the two blades of the ax were on both sides of his neck, his head now trapped.  Domarus stared at the man through the helmet with enough power to make the player cringe.  

"Now you listen very very closely.  You tell me what I want, and you don't die.  That's the best deal you'll be getting for the rest of your life.  NOW."  His voice, sounding deep, metallic and menacing through the helmet, was almost loud enough to shake the very ground beneath the player.  

"Who is the man who took Esther, what is his level, how many others are there, and WHERE ARE THEY?!"  The player Vex stared in total and ultimate terror for his life.  The player Domarus had been found wandering around, appearing to be drunk.  Seeing his chance the player attempted to talk and persuade him to have another 'drink' with him.  Domarus said in a very sluggish manner that he'd duel him first.  Vex of course, new to this sort of operation, had accepted.  Only to find out the player was not drunk on any level and was in fact a wrathful demon waiting to be unleashed.  His servant watched with amusement from the base of a tree.

"A-Addel, his name is Addel.  He's level thirty four, and I can give you the coordinates for where he meets with us.  I-I don't recall how many of them there are, please that's all I-"

"NO!  That's not all you know Vex.  You also know that this Addel is using a potion to turn an innocent girl named Esther into his pet.  Not only that but your little group is all over the first floor causing all sorts of problems, as well as selling other groups potions and teaching them how to make the weaker ones.  And I'm here to tell you, that I'm going to kill every last one of you.  And do it without getting an orange cursor."  The player's eyes widened with horror as he wondered how this was possible.  Then he realized that he himself was one of the 'you' but before he could freak out again Domarus pulled the ax clean from the ground.

"Oh shut up you prick, I'm not killing you.  No, I think it's time for you to learn your lesson don't you think?  Raven, tie him up.  We're taking him to the shop and locking him up until his guild is dealt with.  I want you to stay at the shop as well."  To this Keres frowned and her flaming snake Porvós could sense her frustration.  She wanted to see his wrath unleashed in this world but before she could say anything he took of his helmet and looked deep into her eyes.  She saw wrath and hatred yes, but also concern, worry, and the will to protect her.  Silently she submitted and nodded.  And with that Domarus turned to head for the tenth floor.  He needed to see Mari and this time.  He believed she'd take him seriously.

When he arrived at the tenth floor he didn't even bother avoiding the monsters.  He just walked by as the multi leveled creatures struck at his armor, black and intimidating, his gauntlet's spiked and all of it pulsing a dark red glow, and soon found her tent.  He opened it and entered.

"We need to talk."

@Mari

Edited November 26, 2016 by Domarus

[Lycan 0]

The world remembered Lycan as a boy with a warmth about him. They remembered his smile and witty humor. The world once knew his childish dream of joining the front lines and saving the rest of them from this horrible nightmare.

The world remembered, and the boy was missed.

His rigid footsteps fell to the earth with hallowed thuds. Lycan's deep, eerie eyes hung above dark circles and beneath the shadows of unkempt, white hair. The weight of recent events hung on his shoulders and hunched him into a hulking stride. The glint of his eyes faded from the world's view and his focus blurred on the eventual horizon. Lycan's mind doubled over the image of Esther turned into some sexual deviant for the amusement of a twisted man. He milled over the sadistic effects of the Black Adder toxin which he toiled sleeplessly to reverse engineer.

And his blood boiled as the laws of this world permitted such dark purpose.

"Esther..." he mumbled like the chant of the undead.

The night carried a message, one he helped orchestrate with his brother in arms, Arc. In their rage and discovery, they reached out to a mutual friend of Esther named Mari. Lycan remembered the player killer strictly by her rare, but threatening orange marker. His time on the forth floor as Mari sang upon a frozen lake, changed his perception of player killers. Lit in the soft glow of a hundred candles, Mari wore her orange marker as a reminder and not as a badge of pride. To get Esther back, they needed her help.

The tenth floor, far higher than anyone his level should venture. In fact, because of Mari's status in this screwed up reality, Lycan needed to be outside the respectable safe area. Like a page from the old Christian scriptures, the teen walked through a digital valley of death until the shadowed tent came into view under a starlit sky. He halted shy of Mari's abode when he caught sight of a hooded figure making its leave. Sunken eyes narrowed, but Lycan couldn't make out any details under the false moonlight. In the faint moment it took for the character to use a teleport crystal, the teen caught a glimpse of one distinct detail: locks of silvery hair spilled from the shadows of the hood, similar to his own.

The boy's teeth clenched. He felt the sense of unease crawl up the back of his spine to the base of his neck. With a lungful of air and false courage, he shook it off and parted the folds of Mari's tent.

"I'm here," Lycan announced, hoping to avoid a blade in his stomach or throat. "The others should be on the way." 

 

[Corvo 0]

"Tobes sends his regards," Corvo greeted the group coldly as he flipped the tent flap aside and sauntered inward. He hadn't known most of the group his friend instructed him to meet, only that this was a favor to a Black Brother, and that there might be murder involved. Arc wanted no part of criminal activity. 

Corvo, on the other hand, wasn't in the business of caring. He instinctively lit up his pipe and took a drag off it, eyeing the group with a callous gaze. The broken boy that entered before him bore an unseen burden, and Corvo understood that all too well. This world was a heavy thing, and for some people, staying sane was too difficult a task.

Insanity was a form of freedom all its own.

His gaze shifted next to the hulking Domarus, a man who appeared as imposing, but directed that wrath away from him. That was fine. Corvo wasn't going to get in the way of his axe. 

Finally, he turned to...

"Pink?" he asked with a dry laugh. "Why didn't he say so? This one's on the house, sugartits." Corvo practically beamed.

[Mari 1]

Domarus was the first to arrive. Or should she say, storm in? He entered the tent in what appeared to be an enraged flurry. Mari raised a brow quizzically. She knew Domarus and Esther were friends, but she didn't think it'd spur such anger from the man. Mari got the impression that he were far more calm and calculating than that. Perhaps she had given him too much credit. He wore bulking heavy black armour. Frankly, Mari never cared for it. She thought anyone who wore it looked like hulking tin cans. 

"Really?"

Mari asked, leaning back, finger tapping impatiently against the wooden table. "I don't take orders from a walking tin-can, this is my store. Perhaps a little finesse is required, Domarus." She motioned for him to take a seat. "The others will be here soon. We will talk then. There is no need to repeat myself."

Just as she finished her sentence. Another walked in. Mari didn't really know him. She knew of him. Arc had insisted he come. Mari was under the impression that he and Esther had some form of fling, or thing for each other. Then again, she also thought the same of her and Domarus. Mari wasn't sure which was which, but wasn't in the mood to ask. Even at the best of times, she wouldn't care.

"Lye, was it?" Mari asked, rather coldly. The pain was evident on his features. The youth faltered at the entrance. 

Mari sighed, and rubbed her temples. This was difficult. Before here were two men who no doubt cared greatly about Esther, and here she was being a cold bitch to them. "Ugh...listen...I'm not good with....emotion stuff." She muttered. "It's clear you two care about her. To be honest, if I was aware of this ...fiasco earlier I would have done something about it - but as it stands. My hands are somewhat tied. I'll explain more when Arc gets here. Still.." She paused. "I apologise if I seem rude."

Then, a voice uttered in an unemotional tone. One that Mari recognised. She audibly groaned. "Oh f**k me..." 

Corvo sauntered into the tent. Stating that Arc sends his regards. That he wanted no part in all of this. "Tell Arc he is a f**king coward for me." Amari snapped at Corvo. Already forgetting her words moments ago and her personal vow to be more delicate. 

Corvo didn't look like he wanted to be here. That is, until his eyes landed on her. With a grin. He lit his pipe. Mari shot him a glare. "Red." She seethed as she gestured for him too, to take a seat. She ignored his smoking habit for now.

"Right. Since Arc doesn't seem to give a sh*t about anything except his own warped sense of morality, we'll get started."


Amari pulled out a large piece of paper with various information on it. "We're dealing with the Black Adder. This is a large underground guild. Comprising mostly of Alchemists." She pointed to the top of the hastily drawn hexagon. "One man leads the entire troupe, but we'll skim over him. The guild comprises of 5 separate groups, or 'sects'" She pointed to the other points on the shape. "Each one specialise in their own alchemic concoction, they also operate separately - and rarely congregate together as a large group."

Amari paused and pulled out another piece of paper, "Addel is leader of one of these sects. I suggest not interfering with the others for now; if we stay out of their business. They will stay out of ours." She rose her eyes to the three men before her. " I've ensured we'll be left well enough alone by the others."  Her finger pointed to a list. "Here are some of the names of those rumoured to be in his sect. 10 in total. They have a base on the second floor. I can lead you all there." She shifted the paper forward for them to look at.

"However, I will not participate in any of the fighting. My hands are tied, and I can't exactly willingly harm any of the members within the guild. I'd prefer this to be quick. Get in, get Esther, get out. Any questions?"


 

[Domarus 0]

Domarus listened as Mari demanded he didn't give out commands in her store.  He nodded, and took a seat as instructed.  He may be ready to end the player's life, but he knew better than to question authority...  Until he himself became the authority that was.  It would only be a matter of time before he climbed to the top after all.  He already had four generals in mind and needed to weave them into the position he needed them in.  One of them had been quite inactive but he would wait and see how long this would last.  She had mentioned others and Domarus wondered who else Mari would have called.  Then the second entered the room...  Lycan.  After Lycan spoke and took his seat, Domarus said or did nothing, save for stare at him through the void slits in his helmet that none but he could see through.  Lycan had been the first player ever to wind up on his list of enemies in Aincrad.  And anyone who knew Domarus knew that being on that list was the last thing you wanted.  However he would not treat him the way he wished due to his silent promise to Mari.  Not only that but he wanted time to break the break the man, slowly and painfully.  In the meantime he had a single question.  He doubted Lycan recognized him since Domarus had not been seen in public with his Hopebreaker set just yet.

"Lycan.  Tell me, what business do you have in rescuing the girl Esther, after what you did to her?"  His voice would have been steely and cold, but the effects of the helmet made it deeper and metallic.  If Lycan didn't give him a proper answer, he would pay along with Addel.  Then a third player entered.  He seemed rather bored and annoyed but as soon as his eyes landed on Mari he burst into laughter and when he made his comment it was a wonder Mari didn't strike him down immediately.  However he really could care less today.  He was prepared to take down the player.  As Mari spoke Domarus narrowed his eyes.  When she finished he folded his hands together.

"Firstly, the way you say it:  Do you have a business partnership with these men?  And secondly, if you truly cannot kill any of these men I will ask for something from you and if you demand it then I'll pay for it.  I would ask to borrow a specific potion from you, but not now.  I wish to hear what Lycan has to say.  And I do not know you, so please introduce yourself."

@Lycan

Edited December 5, 2016 by Domarus

[Lycan 0]

The teen felt sour in the pit of his stomach. Mari's store, dimly lit and cold from the weather of the forth floor did no favors to lighten the group which it harbored. Even if she was Esther's so-called caretaker or friend, and he knew the reason for her orange marker, it still floated threateningly above her head. The others, while still innocent in the means of taking lives, didn't exude an aura of peace and tranquility. Everyone in her shop hungered for the feeling of their blade in someone's corpse. As Mari mentioned Addel and his organization, he realized that he too had become one of them. His head shook, and his hands wrapped over his face.

He never wanted to kill someone before. Jokingly sure, but he wanted to see Addel's face warped by fear of death as his heath bar plummeted into nothingness.

If he could, Lycan wanted to watch his brain simmer and boil in the real world as well.

"Lycan.  Tell me, what business do you have in rescuing the girl Esther, after what you did to her" spoke the knight clad in full armor.

The teen's hands clenched, nails biting into the meat of his cheeks and dragged off his chin as he turned a fierce gaze to the culprit.

"Excuse me?" The teen hissed as the leather of his gloves groaned from tightness. "What the f-ck did you just say to me?!"

Without regard for Mari's shop, the idea of levels, and the identity of those present, Lycan rose from his seat. He happened upon the knight as fast as his digital avatar could muster and wedged his hand between the plates of his armor. He jerked the player's hollowed helmet to meet him.

"Who the f-ck are you to ask?! What I did--" Lycan jerked on the player's armor once more. "What I did is none of your god damn business! You don't know ANYTHING!"

The intensity of emotions poured through the teen's callous, yellow eyes. All sign of the boy who smiled and laughed lakeside with his fellow players buried deep beneath roaring flames of rage and hatred. Lycan drew in a deep breath through clenched teeth and he felt the eyes of the other two upon him. With a shove, he separated himself from the stranger.

"You don't know anything," Lycan repeated, this time softer. He shook away the flood of memories as they rushed forward in his mind. Her pleading voice as his boots met her bruised face. Tears welled in the corners of her innocent eyes as he stared down at her in disgust. He remembered the feeling of being tied, bound, and gagged in his own body as his own hands held a blade to her throat.

"We have to save her," he droned on like the damaged pup he was. "I need to tell her the truth." He focused his eyes on his hands as if they dripped with the blood of his wrongdoings. The palm opened and closed, but the sin of his actions still burned upon his fingers. 

Then, his fist snapped shut and the fiery gaze returned to the tinned man.

"And so we're clear, I don't care about you. I don't care about why, and I don't care what you think of me but if you're here to save her, shut up and listen." Lycan gestured to Mari. "SHE is the best chance we have at saving Esther. What she says is law. Don't question why she can't get involved because that too is none of your god damn business!"

Lycan pulled up his menus as he spoke. From a quick-list, he prompted a series of samples and data. With the press of a button, prompts appeared to all the tenants except Mari.

"This is the Black Adder Toxin," Lycan began. "This is what they're using on her. Read it. Do you see what that does? Complete control. These people can make us do whatever they want if they can get this into our system. Do you get it now, tin-can? Do you realize now how little you know?"

Lycan swiped away his interface and slammed himself back into the seat he rose from.

"If they have something like this for her, there is no telling what they can do with some other brew. In short, even if we had a team of front-liners, if one of their guild cuts you with a poisoned blade, there's no telling what would happen. Far as you know, dumbass, they could make you wring the life out of Ether's body with one pin prick of a dagger."

Lycan huffed, a weight lifted from his shoulders. The heat of anger still rode on his breath and his hands remain clenched as his arms folded over his chest. The teen looked to Mari, deep bags under his eyes, but diverted them from her with a pang of guilt. Mari knew.

Mari knew everything.

"If anyone has a reason to save Esther it's me and her." He shook his head as Arc's absence came to mind. "So, I don't give a sh-t about you or this guy."

Lycan gestured a jab of his shoulder to Corvo.

"Just do your damned jobs."

[Domarus 0]

OOC-  Skipping to my post with Mari's permission

Domarus turned to Lycan again when the foolish player yelled.  When the boy grabbed a hold of him Domarus didn't flinch as he wasn't intimidated or affected by this action.  He soaked in the boy's ranting, letting it fuel his rage, coursing red hot flames through his veins.  If Keres were here even she would be nervous.  However as he was fully armored and unmoving nobody could tell.  When the player finished with his final words there was a moment where all was silent.  Then like lightning, unavoidable and almost unseeable, Domarus shot his arm out and grabbed Lycan's throat, not hard enough to turn his cursor red, but enough to get a solid grip and make his point.  He stood up, lifting Lycan as he did so to his own eye level, forcing the boy to stare into the darkness of the helmet's eyeslits.

"You, do not, speak to me in that manner again.  What you did was my business the moment I found Esther on the ground, covered in the bruises, both physical and mental, that you have laid on her.  I was the one who took her in.  I was the one who brought her back to health.  I was the one she told everything to.  Everything you did and said to her.  So yes you pint sized, arrogant bas--d.  I have the right to ask.  She is very close to me and anyone who dares touch her is an enemy to me.  So give me a reason why I shouldn't kill you now.  While I shall listen to Mari I am not her servant, slave or apprentice.  I do not serve under ANYONE is that clear?  I will work with her, I will work with him, and if there is no other choice I will even work with you.  If you don't give me reason enough to spare you this once then you'd better run after this is over.  I know what they did to her as well, I saw her eyes and I know how the mind works.  The way he went about it is corrupt and destructive, and was going to betray him one way or another.  I myself wasn't strong enough to take him on at that time but I've hunted down information and thus have come to Mari for answers.  I will get my answers whether she tells me or not."

Domarus let go of Lycan at last, letting him drop to the ground.  He was tired of this man and wanted to get this over with.  He'd deal with the scum afterwards.

"And don't go telling me that I have no reason to save her when you know nothing about me boy.  Mari my apologies, but some things must be set straight before an event.  Besides whatever excuse and explanation he will give me for the deed he had done to Esther, I have no quarrel with anyone besides him until this is over.  When it is...  You'd better run Lycan, and never let me see your sight again.  Unless your explanation is somehow satisfactory."

@Mari

[Mari 1]

Children

Mari thought, she was dealing with a bunch of children. They showed utter disdain and respect for the delicate operation at hand. Mari saw their chances of saving thr young girl spiralling out of control, thanks to the departure of Arc, and the arrival of a smug, insane man, and two men who couldn't control their emotions. "And they say a hormonal woman is bad..." Amari muttered dryly under her breath.

The pink haired woman waited for the two to finish screaming at each other. Finally, they seemed to calm down.

"Well then..." She said, clear irritation lining her tone. "We may as well write Esther off as dead." Her comment seemed to knock the two down a peg, both shifting uncomfortably in their seats. Amari shrugged, "I did have an incline to save her, but I'm wondering if she is better off with Addel." Amari glanced over at Lycan as he lookedl ike he was about to say something. Amari's cold blue gaze challenged him to do just that, but he remained quiet.

"Right, now you've both finished your bitch-fits..." 

The authoritative pinkette stood, "Domarus has a right to question why I cannot get involved." She spoke slowly, her index finger tracing the outline of the low set table as she walked around it. "I have an...." She paused, tilting her head to the side. Trying to figure out the best way to word things without triggering the two men before her. "Arrangement with the Guild leader." Amari turned her back to the men, and lifted up the light armour and her shirt, revealing a very similar mark to the Black Adder insignia - hers had a small three pointed crown above it, and three black dots below it. "Do not misinterpret my intentions." Amari said, turning to face the two again. "I'd rather have my hands washed of them, our arrangement generally keeps the lower level players out of trouble. Addel on the other hand...seems to have missed the memo."

"Now, if you're both done man-handling each other. We can make our move. Or..." Amari said, tapping her lip. 

"We can let her die, chained to Addel." She turned her eyes on Domarus, "I'll set things straight, and put them in perspective for you. Your outburst, Domarus - has dwindled our chances of success, attacking a team member. Tut..Tut..." She waved her finger to and fro in succession to her words. "You talk big, but you barely have the numbers or the skill to back it up. You throw your weight around, using illustrious words to get your way, but you clearly cannot handle things when they don't go according to whatever idiotic self righteous master plan you have going on. Now, before you two start arguing again....any questions?"