[PP - F5] Fleeting Relations, Fleeting Winds << Blood in the Sand >>

[Kairi 0]

Kairi in her room she had looked to her Mimic that had sat there, it was a very strange familiar she had just never moved unless it was spoken to or when Kairi would move... however at other times, he acts as though he is a Treasure Chest not moving a inch. It was very odd, however she knew that she would eventually open up to the little guy. Today was just another day and Kairi had been training quite a bit in the past few days, however she hadn't spent much time to Hestia her girlfriend in a while, it had been mostly telling her that she would be going out on a adventure before heading back home. Today she had wanted to spend sometime with her, opening her door she had called out for Hestia saying out "Ember? Are you home?"

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

I humm softly as i strum on my guitar in my little work station of my shop prepping myself for a day of crafting attempts to put into my shop as i tap my foot upon the ground to get into the beat and rhythm of the song, but that gets thrown off as i hear my name called. Setting my guitar down i head up stairs and make my way towards your room with my familiar following after me in slight curiosity to see this new familiar that he hadn't had much chance to interact with except during the moments at dinner when they would all gather to eat. Unless it was a night like going on the Ceberus quest where i had to go for a few nights. Making sure i sent a message to you to let you know i was so you wouldn't worry. I stand in front of you with a smile on my face as i hear in the back of my mind the constant worry i had for awhile. 'Wasn't this a bit rushed don't you think? i mean you remember the conversation right?' I try not to let my worry show on my face as i rub the back of my head. Whats up Ashley is something wrong? I ask curiously wearing a different set of clothes then usual.

[Kairi 0]

Kairi had called out her name, seeing if she had been home rather than going out on the Cerberus quest, and after a moment she had she walked up to her and asked if something was wrong, she had looked at her outfit and back to Hestia and she had said "No nothing is wrong with me, is there something wrong with you? You look like you've just done something to kill a man." she had giggled. However she had spoken out to her saying with a cute posture and look "Well, I was wanting to know if you had wanted to do a quest with me. Its been a moment since we had and I had been gaining more and more SP. I am missing one to finish my Weapon Skill as a matter of fact." she had giggled. Kairi had looked over to Karona and called for its name. The familiar had gotten up and with its metallic legs had walked up behind Kairi letting out a grunt that he was awake and ready to come along. Kairi had let out a giggle and patted the top of the Mimic's head.

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

DO i really? i thought i looked rather nice in this outfit you know? I say questioningly as i look at what i am wearing wondering if their is a flaw in it somewhere that i hadn't noticed that gives me that sort of look. In the end i just shrug and continues on. Well i'm always up for doing a quest with you Ashley lets get going you get to choose which you want to do since you know i always got your back in terms of a fight. I can easily beat anything that could come to harm you. i say sounding very confident by the town of my voice as i look at you and gestures for you to follow me out of the shop so we can get on going towards wherever you wish to head to for the quest. My familiar Kuro going over towards the mimic and gets pokes it with his paw to see what it would do. Kuro curious what this thing acts like, and if it is a danger of anything kind.

[Kairi 0]

Kairi had looked down, she didn't exactly mean her outfit, she had mostly just talked about her posture and the way she had approached her, she had looked up to Hestia and said "No, you look amazing today, it was just mostly how you came up is all." However Hestia changed the subject and said that she would always be down with doing a quest with her, Kairi had modded her head and said out to her "I had my eyes on the Blood in the Sand quest, I have heard it gives a good amount of Skill Points, and I need all that I can get." she had giggled. However she had followed up behind Hestia as she had began to lead her out of the store and home. Karona had followed up behind them following the scent trail of its new owner, however it had felt a poke on its shell, sniffing over it had smelled that it was some sort of feline type animal, its tongue had appeared out of the chest and it licked Kuro once.

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

ohh okay yeah thanks for the clarification, and i'm fine with facing the sand shark since it should be possible for you to like two shot it depending on if it hits me only once. I say with a small chuckle and a kind smile as we walk down the stairs and out of my nice little shop. I keep the door open for you with a polite and happy smile on my face, and keeps the door open for both of our familiars. When everyone is out i close the door and then make my way over towards the exit of the cavern. 'Oh god okay apparently my nervousness is seeping through. Keep it cool keep things okay Ember. You can be a good girl. I'm sure things can work right?..but this did go a bit fast right? Wouldn't it possibly be better to just start from the beginning as friends and try to work from their' I think to myself getting lost in thought while on the outer level i look completely normal and fine maneuvering through the cavern with ease and not tripping over anything. My familiar Kuro feels the lick and backs away from the chest a little bit from the feeling having wet fur isn't the nicest in the universe.

[Kairi 0]

Kairi had giggled when she had said thanks for the clarification, and she was fine with fighting with her against the Sand Shark, Kairi had nodded her head and said "Hmm... well, I don't know if I can two shot it, but I believe I can get somewhat close." she had giggled. Kairi had followed up behind Hestia and she had remained a little awfully quiet, she had began to wonder if something had happened during her trip doing the Guardian of Fire. Kairi had looked over to Kuro seeing that her familiar had licked him and he had began to back away from her familiar. Kairi had giggled and looked to her familiar that had his mouth shut and had just followed up behind her. It was truly weird how her familiar had walked, however how else would he be able to walk. Looking back forward Kairi had said out to her "Did something happen to you or the other that you went on the Guardian of Fire quest Ember? You seem upset about something."

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

'Maybe i can just let her down easy? What would i say though, and how would i even go about asking such a thing?' sighs softly. 'Maybe it would be best to just ask at the end to not ruin her mood, and make this entire trip awkward beforehand. That is probably the best i could do to avoid that awkward moment.' I think to myself as i then hear your voice which knocks me out of my thoughts as i turn to you with a smile. Nah it's fine Ashley don't worry. Nothing bad happened on that quest besides lots of disappointment in how weak the mobs were. I mean Cerberus was ridiculously easy that i could've solod it and kill with with my DMG. I say emphasizing the damage since my damage is pitifully low. When you bring up Fire Guardian though Kuro seems to flinch and let out a quick soft sad whimper as he walks on over to me as i pet his head gently to try and comfort him.

[Kairi 0]

Kairi had looked to Hestia when she had said that she was fine, just disappointment with the quest was all. Kairi had somewhat of a grin on her face when she had said it, in a way... she had not exactly fully believed her, maybe it was just her, but not many people actually get upset with things being easier to complete. However she had just said out to her "Well... okay Ember, just you know you can tell me anything." she had continued to walk forward with a little bit of a upset look, she had just felt like there was more to it than that, however she wasn't going to try to press onto it as its probably not important if she hadn't already spoken out about it. However she had see Kuro move over to Hestia and give a wimper when she had mentioned the Fire Guardian, Kairi had blinked a few times and had only felt bad because of it, she didn't intend to make everyone upset with her being around or saying anything.

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

I look over to you and notices the slightly guilty look as i nod my head thinking it might be best to explain. Okay what happened on Fire Guaridan was that i took it with our guild mate kimi, and she had a familiar that was a tiny shark doggo. Well shark plus very hot place is usually not the best so Kuro was kind enough to carry the small creature. However, at one point Kuro accidently dropped the shark dog into lava do to having been scorched by fire from a passing elemental taking a cheap shot at him. We though the familiar shark dog was dead, but instead it turned into a fire variant somehow. Strange, but kinda cool since it shows the capacity of what Cardinal can do when creating mobs. I say with a small shrug. And i was disappointed since i love greek mythology, and Cerberus just ended up being another Greek myth that was way to easy to beat. Makes me wonder if the seventeenth floor will even have any challenge at this rate. I say with a soft sigh as i shake my head at that. Both of us having walk out of the cavern by now and making our way back towards the town of Snowfrost. Being about halfway their at the moment. Bunch of tiny little animals staying at a distance from us all of them shaking at the sight of the mimic familiar only thinking of the monster version. SO i hope that clears up my and Kuro's reaction when you brought up that quest. I say honestly to you as i give you a small one armed hug.

[Kairi 0]

Eventually after she had looked guilty look, Hestia had eventually had explained why Kuro had felt a little upset about the quest, she had said that it had mostly been because of a encounter they had with the boss and Kimi's familiar falling in lava, however it had turned into some sort of fire variant, Kairi had wondered what in the world this Shark Dog was, however she had figured that it might be some sort of environmental one. Kairi had smiled when Hestia had given her a one armed hug, Kairi had returned the hug and looked towards her and then back down to Kuro and gave him a few pets and said to him "You did the best you could. To make it better do you want another one of Karona's licks?" she had giggled. Karona from behind her had jumped forward behind Kuro leaning forward with the best open and his mouth hanging out of its shell and panting like some sort of dog looking for attention.

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

Kuro smiles happily as his tail wags at hearing the slight praise glad to know that someone else doesn't think he messed up, but upon hearing the idea of licks he just gives the Mimic a pat on his head with his front right paw as if saying. 'It is fine no need for that.' To the little mimic. I smile a little bit at the rather interesting interaction between the mimic, and Kuro as we enter the town of Snowfrost as i walk with you towards the teleporter. Both Elven, and human people walking on by as i look at the elven people with very blatant confusion having never once seen them before in this town. 'Did some kind of event happen where elves were introduced to the floor? Or have they always been here and some kind of quest is about to happen. Oh god if it is a quest i hope it isn't some like diplomatic talk like Star Wars talk to the senate stuff.' I think to myself just imagining such a quest, and can only guess that such a quest would be on par with a escort quest. the most well known and infamous for being absolutely boring usually.

[Kairi 0]

Karona had leaned forward towards Kuro however had placed his paw on the top of his head pretty much telling him no. Karona had let out a grunt of understanding and its tongue had retreated back to inside the chest and its head and closed standing straight again. Kairi had smiled and patted the top of her familiars head/chest, the terminology was rather confusing however she had patted the top of her familiar. Before long they had entered Snowfrost, however Kairi hadn't really been looking around, she was just worried that her mimic could be confused with a monster or something, or it would wonder away from her. However she had seen Karona stay behind her at all times, which she had smiled about, it kind of resembled true loyalty. However she had turned back to see Hestia however, she still hadn't said anything and she had seen he continue looking forward, she didn't think too much of it, maybe she just had a bit of things on her mind.

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

As working through the town i try not to react to seeing groups of players or NPCs walking around seeming all happy together as i can only wonder why Aincrad is toturing me today. 'Come on the one day i decide to do this you do it to me!' I think bitterly, but keep a normal look on my face. So Ashley you ready for going back to the desert that tortured us for two days do to the heat from it. I say in a joking tone of voice realizing i had been a little bit silent do to all these thoughts plaguing my mind as of late. My familiar Kuro just says walking near the mimic as a way of guarding us from any type of threat that could make itself known. Eventually we make it to the teleport pad safely as i relax a little bit glad to be here knowing that the start of this quest, and hopefully the end of me being super awkward could be near. teleport, Fortaleza. I say as the light engulfs all of us as we end up on the fourth floor.

[Kairi 0]

Kairi had looked around to see many players and NPC's just enjoying everyone's presence, then she had looked back to Hestia, but had put a smile upon her face and just figured that everything was going to be alright. Before long Hestia had finally spoken out, with eager and with a smile Kairi had looked forward to Hestia and listened before giggling, she had eventually stopped giggling and she had said out to her "Well, with survival I don't think it would be that bad." she had followed up behind till they had made it to the floor teleporter, she had looked towards Hestia and grabbed her hand and offered a sincere smile before she had said out the words to teleport. Stepping out onto the Fifth Floor, she had looked back to her familiar which had stepped out however had seemed generally confused, and she had giggled knowing that it probably had never felt other things like sand or hotter temperature, it was funny to see it move around unsure on how to react.

@Hestia

[Hestia 0]

I smile as we arrive onto the fifth floor as i look over to you and then gestures for you to follow. Well lets get going Ashley time waits for nobody. I say cheerfully as i then see where you're looking as i see the slightly worried mimic that seems confused. I then gesture for you to follow me as i start leading us through the town passing by people NPCs who are minding their own business as we eventually reach the exit of the town. My familiar Kuro having tried to provide the mimic some sort of cover from the sun by using his wings to help the little thing get use to what the floor can do in terms of heat. So then Ashley you ready to fight the sand shark? I ask rather cheerfully to you. If you are then take the first steps and i will correct our path as need be. I say to you with a cheerful smile as i am reminded of what spencer had said can be on this floor. That their can be pyramids with mummies, and other things like that. Certainly something to keep an eye out for.

[Kairi 0]

Kairi had nodded her head when Hestia said to get going and that time hadnt waited for anyone. Kairi had walked up to her familiar and placed on hand on the top of its head and said "I know its totally new, but you are 100% safe Karona, you are in good hands." she had giggled. The chest had opened and licked Kairi before it retreating back into the chest. Kairi had giggled and wiped away the saliva, walking out of the main settlement Hestia had asked if she was ready to fight against the shark, Kairi had nodded her head and said "Of course! I am as ready as I will ever be." she had let out a giggle. However in the distance ignoring her statement as they had walked, she had seen out of her eye the Sand Shark on its way to attack Kairi, Karona using its metallic legs had drifted behind to dodge the attack however, Kairi had simply activated a sword art and just barely she was able to connect and deal a lot of damage towards it.

@Hestia

-----
ID: 95013 - BD: 4+2=6 - MD: 2-2=0
Sword Art Used: Astral Hell [Damage: 10*7=70]
Kairi - HP: 380/380 - EN: 31/38
Hestycollecty - HP: ???/??? - EN: ??/??
Sand Shark - HP: 55/125 - DMG: 50

[Hestia 0]

I look over towards the mob that attacked rather suddenly as i try to attack it but the sand shark quickly spins around kicking up a sand wave to block my vision as i close my eyes and crosses my arms before me to avoid being hit as i then realize that i am wearing no armor at all just having my sword thinking i that would've been enough in combination to the fact my familiar should provide me enough mitigation to be safe. Why is it always time that i can never hit these mobs! I say with a small sigh of absolute annoyance on my face as i am forced to back off and let you finish the mob with a single hit from your blade. With that idea i sit down on the ground with a sigh of frustration wondering what could happen at this point to make it worse. I look over to you and smiles a bit glad to see the former player that needed help with fighting some boars do to not being confident is now tearing through a sand shark that is on the fifth floor.

#95014 BD:1

Kairi - HP: 380/380 - EN: 31/38
Hestia - HP: 790/790 - EN: 75/76
Sand Shark - HP: 55/125 - DMG: 50

[Kairi 0]

Kairi had attacked the shark and she was god honestly impressed with the damage she had done towards the monster, it was incredible on how much she had been climbing. However looking over to Hestia she had given it a attempt, however the Sand Shark had attacked but horribly missed but hit the sand trying to hit their eyes, and Hestia had gotten hit. However she had seen the frustration on her face, she had began to wonder if she was also upset that she couldn't really hit anything as of recent. However looking back forward to the Sand Shark she had attacked it with another one of her new and fancy Sword Arts, landing it she had lowered its HP to zero. After it had dropped to zero, Karona walked up to the Sand Shark and bit the Shark to cause it to explode to a million crystals that faded to the air.

@Hestia

-----
ID: 95015 - BD: 4+2=6 - MD: 5-2=3
Sword Art Used: Astral Hell [Damage: 10*7=70]
Kairi - HP: 380/380 - EN: 31/38
Hestycollecty - HP: 790/790 - EN: ??/??
Sand Shark - HP: 0/125 - DMG: 50

[Hestia 0]

I watch as you finish off the enemy as i get up off the ground and makes my way over towards you with a smile on my face. Good job Ashley as i told you when we left the house. You two shot the mob, and you would kill it. I say kindly in a gentle tone of voice as i bite my lip realizing this could be reaaly awkward. Hey Umm Ashley can i...um...talk to you  about something. I ask really shyly as i rub my arm as i shift my wait ever so slightly. My familiar catching on what is about to happen tries to move the chest along to not see what is going to happen. My familiar giving me a understanding look since i had talked to him about this problem extensively just to talk about it with something. To keep my emotions unlocked rather then locked away where it could fester into a very bad move, and then become rather destructive to all those that i care and love.