Orange Is Better Than Red( or Dead)! {F01 - - PP - - "Secret Medicine of the Forest!"}

[Ronnel 0]

{{Involved Characters: Ronnel, Mari. Any bunnying during writing is approved by both players}}

One foot in front of the other. This was simple stuff - straight forward. Hunting these Nepents was one of the earliest quests that you could get in Aincrad, Ronnel had just been putting it off because he hadn’t even really known where to look for the creatures. Or what on earth a ‘variant’ was going to be like. It was why he’d first gone into the forest looking for Nepents in the first place, he wanted to try fighting one or two to get a feel for combating them before he tried to take the actual quest.

Of course then he’d gotten lost and not seen a single blasted monster the entire time but - well. It had worked out, he thought. Orange bobbed above orange ahead of him as his ‘escort’ pushed through the forest, following some unseen path that she knew. Either a familiarity with the quest, or she knew an information broker or something - it could be any of them with her he thought. He grimaced as a tree branch swung and smacked him on the shoulder - Mari hadn’t even noticed it, since it was above her head. 

STATS:
LVL 3 HP: 60  ENERGY 6
DMG: 4 // MIT: 0 // EVA: 0

Rank 1 Novice: 2H Assault Spear (+3 DMG)

EQUIPPED:
X Vanity 2H Assault Spear 

X Vanity Light Armor

Battle Ready Inventory
X 3 Starter Healing Potions (+50 HP On Use)

[Mari 1]

Mari sighed as she pushed back her orange fringe, audibly groaning. What the hell had she gotten herself into? Willingly agreeing to help this man? A quick glance over her shoulder at him caused him to jump. ‘HIs meek demeanour definitely does not match that hulking form of his 

Ronnel was no Gladdy-Daddy, but he was definitely large. Broad shouldered and tall - his jaw slightly angular, hidden amidst dark features and hair. Really...he could be intimidating if he tried, and perhaps completely threw his entire personality through the window.

Mari pursed her lips as she checked the intel - a little information broker by the name of Ceres had offered to give her all the details about the Nepents. Granted - just taking the quest and having a party would provide the basic information. But not the movesets - nor where they were most likely to spawn. Now, she had that info.

“Ey, Ronnel - These things spawn in pairs. Since I am a dagger user I cannot do any AoE attacks. I can knock one out, but at least try to damage the other. We need to then fight the variant - it may not drop what we need straight away. Until it does - it’s simply rinse and repeat. I ain’t wasting my potions on you so I hope you have enough.” Mari closed up her menu. “Oh - and you’ll need to invite me to a party. You’ll be the quest leader - ya got that or you need me to explain it more slowly?”

 

STATS

LV 46 | 940HP | 92 Energy

DMG 11 | EVA 3 | MIT 25 | ACC 1

 

Rank 5 Weapon (+5 DMG)

-Weapon Mod: Precision (+1 ACC)

Rank 3 Charge (+3 Damage -1 ACC)

Charge Mod BULL RUSH: Successful charge stuns target 1 turn

Rank 5 Light Armor (+25 MIT)

 

EQUIPPED

Name: Kusanagi | Item Type: Dagger | Tier: 2

Enhancements: Bleed II / Damage II (24 DAM 2 Turns on a roll of 8-10)

 

Name: Coat of a Husk| Item Type: Light Armor Tier:1

Enhancements: +2 EVA, +1 SAVVY

 

BATTLE READY

5 Healing Potions (50 HP)

@Ronnel

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel hummed in thought as he flicked his fingers through the menu screens. He was growing more familiar both with the in game menus, and with his current compatriot's attitude. Instead of answering her directly, he tossed her an invite to his party - teeming it the 'Is This Good Enough' squad. That done he closed down the screens and nodded slightly. 

 

"Right. And the Variant, once we find one, only has a small chance of dropping what it is we're looking for for the quest from what the NPC was telling me, something about 'only a few amongst the off-breeds have one'." He frowned. "So this may end up taking a while. Good thing I brought extra food along." He took a few steps away from her to give her clearance, and then manifested his spear and swung it up and across his shoulders. 

 

"I’ve got a bit of AOE capability but for right now I’d probably be best suited to one on one as well.  This thing isn’t exactly the best quality.” The dark haired man said, a bit distracted as he pulled open one of his screens to check before nodding slightly.

[Mari 1]

“Mmm….” Mari said in response to his words - again - not the best conversationalist here. After  few minutes of trekking through the forest Mari cleared her throat. This guy. This damn guy. “My informant says there are a large selection of stores available on the first floor. Kinda like a seedy market at first glance but most of it is strong players wanting to help out those who finally got the balls to leave the first floor.”

They had made good time, and were already trekking through the forest- but Mari wanted to avoid passing the glade where the grave of her daughter lay. Avoiding questions from the man, and a battle ensuing on a place she deemed sacred. “Won’t be long now, there’s a small area just across the river where they spawn frequently.” Mari said as she turned to glance at Ronnel. “You know you can buy food with buffs, right? Things that increase your stats or chances of loot dropping.”

[Ronnel 0]

“Yeah.” Ronnel brushed hair back from his face as he hummed in thought slightly. “Yeah, food that can buff nearly any thing that we can do, same for pieces of jewelry. Just got to find the right people who’ve actually got the profession. I’m still trying to decide for mine.” He shrugged one shoulder before turning his gaze to Mari. “None of the food I got us earlier is stat-buffing though, just for hunger and flavor purposes. 

The duo reached the edge of the river that Mari had mentioned and Ronnel blinked at it for a moment before turning his gaze in both directions along the river bank. No sign of a bridge, or even a ford so they’d just have to cross where they were. Bracing himself slightly against the oncoming chill, the dark-haired man waded into the river. It wasn’t too deep on him, but - he paused near the midpoint of the river and held there, waiting until Mari was across. He doubted she’d take help if he offered but even so, he kept an eye on her in case of a stumble or a surge in the current. 

[Mari 1]

"No sh*t." Mari said when Ronnel tried to add that other items like jewelry also added buffs. "I've fought on the frontlines. I know about that sort o' thing." She scoffed. Taking his words the wrong way. Mari was trying to be nice but her easily irritable persona was beginning to show. "I don't need to eat right now, I'm used to conserving myself - besides if its not state boosting there really is no need."  Is this guy always this inane? Mari thought to herself as she rolled her shoulders and cracked them.

Mari just wanted to get this battle over with. "You know..." She began. "I'm not sure this whole...exchange is going to work in the future." Mari said - trying her best to be polite. But, in her usual blunt crass way - she was completely missing the mark. "I don't do people, and you get on my nerves." She watched as he waded into the river. IT barely hit his knees. She continued past him. Albeit slower with her shorter legs - "Don't take it personally. I don't get alone with many people." Came her reply as she passed him and climbed up and out no the other side.

Then, came the chitttering of the Nepents - Four of them, large plantlike creatures with giant lips and strange tendrils for legs emerged from the forest. "Welp..." Mari said as she pulled out her demonic blade - the Kusanagi dagger. "That's a few more than I thought. I'll deal with the brunt of the attacks. You just don't loose your footing or piss your pants."

Mari would have been better off heeding her own advice, she went to attack the first Nepent - it's long vine-like tail whipped out to strike her. Mari ducked under it. This...this was familiar, she went to strike at the first Nepent but the second had struck her. Knocking the woman hard to the ground. Mari landed to the side with a heavy 'oof' Taking them on...four at once may not have been the best idea for a dagger user. Mari grit her teeth. She was already covered in dirt, but she didn't care. This was what she was used to. Mari went to push herself up and out of the mud but was slammed back into the ground by the third Nepent - they had converged on her - all four of them surrounding her tiny form. The forth went to strike but Mari rolled out the way.

"I'll keep them distracted you just attack from behind!" She called out to Ronnel - despite their hits, she barely suffered any damage. It looked far worse than what it was.
 

 

 

MARI: 938/940 HP    92/92 ENERGY
#ID 132804 -  BD1 +1 = MISS
NEPENT #1   7/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
#ID 132805 -   MOB 4-3  = MISS
NEPENT #2   7/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
#ID 132806 -   MOB 9-3  = HIT
NEPENT #3   7/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
#ID 132807 -   MOB 9-3  = HIT
NEPENT #4   7/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
#ID 132808 -   MOB 7-3  = MISS

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by Mari

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel grimaced as he watched the four - and he knew they weren't but for the life of him, he could only see then as overgrown pitcher plants - Nepents circle around Mari, trying to catch her with their vines. He grimaced in frustration as he circled around behind them, nodding in response to her shout. The spear- wielder wasn't going to waste time or distract her from dodging the attacks my shouting back at her.

 

The man planted his feet and braced, feeling the beginning of a Sword Art assist taking hold. He followed the motion of <Heft>, flicking his spear upwards and trying to slice open the back of one of the Nepents. Unfortunately he mis-timed it, the monster leaning forwards before his spear swing. Metal swing through air without touching flesh, and he let out an aggravated snarl. A quick glance at his energy meter - it was down slightly, but recovering. 

 

If he was going to let Mari keep the Hate of the plants, then he could not risk doing an AOE attack. He'd have to stick for either basic attacks, or trying to get a killing blow off on one. For now, though - nothing. 

 

 

Ronnel: HP 60/60 EN: 4/6

TARGET: NEPENT 3 7/7 HP 3 DAM

LINK ID: 132809

BD result: 4 Fail State

 

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by Ronnel

[Mari 1]

He missed, but she bit down on her tongue - she couldn't chastise him for that when she had just done the exact same thing. Instead Mari pushed herself up off the ground and swiped at the nearest Nepent- it disinterested into a flurry of red data. A single blow decimating its HP.

"Good." Mari breathed as she wiped the dirt from her muth with the back of her hand, an act in futility. Mari shifted to dodge one of the Nepents, and was successful, but in doing so she had stomped on a writhing, tendrilled foot. The Nepent was not happy, it's long tail coiled around her ankle and lifted Mari up into the air. 'Thank f**k I'm not wearing a skirt she thought to herself as she felt the dizzying sensation of being lifted high above the ground before being slammed hard right back into it.

Mari groaned as she rolled onto her back. Only to be picked up again by the other Nepent. "Oh for F**Ks sake!" She cried out as she wriggled, arching herself so she could swing herself up to grab hold of its vine-like tail. The Nepent slammed her down onto the ground, but Mari had a tight hold of its tail. "You f**King d**k she hissed at the Nepent.

The woman was covered in dirt and mud, her hair a disheveled mess. The woman wore scrappy armour beneath her black jumper, and didn't have enough equipment to justify going to the frontlines, but dammit she would not let these overgrown pitcher plants get the best of her.

 

MARI: 934/940 HP    92/92 ENERGY
#ID132810 -  BD8 +1 = HIT
NEPENT #1   0/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 

NEPENT #2   7/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
#ID 132811-   MOB 10-3  = HIT +2
NEPENT #3   7/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
#ID - 132812  MOB 10-3  = HIT +2
NEPENT #4   7/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
#ID -132813   MOB 8-3  = MISS

 

@Ronnel

Edited December 27, 2019 by Mari

[Ronnel 0]

Ronnel's eyes narrowed as the Nepents lifted his partner up and slammed her down. He knew intellectually that she was fine - her health on his vision had ticked down some, but no where near to dangerous levels. But even so, the sight tweaked his nerves. He lowered himself down and darted inwards, planting himself far, far closer to the fight now. No more hanging back, and if she felt he was in the way so be it.

She had plans on the Nepent that she was holding onto, he could see it in her eyes. So that was her target and he would leave her to it. Instead he focused on the one that had avoided his strike earlier even if it had been entirely unintentional. His spear came down, the tip digging a line in the sand - then swung upwards in a vicious arc, following the path of the <Heft> Sword Art once more. He wasn't like Mari, able to take these things down with basic attacks, he needed the boost the Arts provided. 

Which worked, this time. The blade of the spear sliced through the torso-region of the pitcher-plant monstrosity, biting through it and continuing onwards. There was a stutter in the entity's animations before it burst into a shower of red data that quickly faded. He panted as he recovered in the post-attack cool down state. He'd done it. 

 

 

Ronnel: HP: 60/60 EN: 3/6 (+1 from EN recovery base, -2 from <Heft> 2H Assault Spear Skill)

Used: <Heft> 2H Assault Spear Skill: Deals 2x, Cost 2 EN

DAM: 5 (1+3 From 2H Novice + 1 From 9 Roll) x 2 = 10

Target: Nepent 3: 0/7 DEAD

LINK ID: 132814 

BD Result: 9 Crit Success +1 Base DAM

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by Ronnel

[Mari 1]

"Oh hey, look - the kid learned how to use a Sword Art." Mari muttered, slightly in jest toward Ronnel. "Least you know how to handle that big ass shaft." She added. There. That was a compliment, right?

The Nepent that had its vine like tail wrapped around her ankle went to lift her up. Nope she wasn't having any more of that. Mari pulled hard on the tail. The Nepent cackled, a wild laughter erupting from its chattering giant lips as it came tumbling down toward her. But before the plant monster could figuratively crush her it distintergrated into a pile of red shards. Nothing more than data. Mari pushed herself off the ground. "Ugh..." She looked down at herself, she was an absolute mess. And she couldn't even take a damn warm bath to wash the feeling of dirt from her body.

Mari began to pick at the dirt that had lodged itself under her nails, she hated that feeling. The lone remaining Nepent went to strike her but Mari took one step to the side, barely paying attention to it. "I gotta get this sh*t out from under my nails." Without looking up Mari gestured the chittering plant behind her. "You take care of that."

 

 

MARI: 934/940 HP    92/92 ENERGY
ID#132816 -  BD10 +1 = CRITICAL + 2
NEPENT #1   0/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
NEPENT #2   0/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
NEPENT #3   0/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
NEPENT #4   7/7 HP  |  3 DAM  | 
#ID 132817  -  MOB 3-3  =MISS

@Ronnel

Edited December 27, 2019 by Mari

[Ronnel 0]

"Working on it!" Ronnel bit out as he brought his spear around and reset himself. The last of the Nepents was in the middle of its own recovery phase, dragging back from striking at Mari. He let out a grunt as he braced himself. The tip of his spear began to glow as he lifted it up, and began the animation for <Heft> once more. It was a little frustrating using the same sword art but - he needed to. This thing had to die so it wouldn't still attack her, or him, and with what he had available right now he couldn't pull that off unaided.

With a grind of his teeth he brought the blade up, sweeping it in the slicing arc of the Sword Art. This time the spear blade bit in deep as it cut, slicing far enough in that for a moment the Nepent almost doubled over backwards, With a short, sharp tug the spear came loose, ending its sweep as the Nepent shattered into red data. The last few motes and flecks of data drifted downwards to the ground as Ronnel planted his spear butt against the ground and leaned on it. 

"Right." He gave her a tight smile. "Next the variant, right?"

 

Ronnel: HP: 60/60: EN: 2/6 (+1 Recovery, -2 <Heft> Usage

Sword Art Used: <Heft> 2H Assault Spear Skill: Deals 2x, Cost 2 EN

DAM: 6 (1+3 From 2H Novice + 2 From =10 Roll) x 2 = 12

Target: Nepent 0/7 DEAD

Link ID: 132818 

BD RESULT: 10 (+2 DAM)

Edited December 27, 2019 by Ronnel

[Mari 1]

Mari glanced up to watch Ronnel as the shine of his Sword Art was activated. The muscles in his forearms tightened as his teeth clenched - dragging the bladded spear through the mud then up and tear through the Nepent. "Maybe he's not such a coward after all..." Mari mused as she shifted her gaze back to her fingernails, still meticulously trying to pry the dirt out from underneath them. After another few futile seconds she gave up with a heavy sigh.

"The variant will spawn in a few minutes, it’s not usually instantaneous. So we have some time to kill" Mari said, she gave her head a slight tilt. "You're a spear bearer right? Why not use an AoE? I suppose it didn't make much of a difference in the end..." Mari said as she shifted her gaze away. "They're dead - and look - you're completely unscathed. Congratulations.” Her words sounded cold, but the redhead did mean well. She just wasn’t used to dealing with people.

[Ronnel 0]

"It was for efficiency and Hate management really." Ronnel rubbed the back of his head with one hand as he shrugged. "I'm not as strong as you are so I couldn't take them all out in one shot even if I did use one of my AOE skills - at best I'd have taken some of them down part way instead. Then gotten jumped." He chuckled and rapped one hand against the weak leather cuirass. "This thing is basically tissue paper, so if two or three attacked me, I'd melt under the attack pretty quick." 

 

"But yeah. Don't know if I'll always be fortunate enough to have you along and helping me, so I best work hard while you can stomach me." The dark haired man swept his gaze around the clearing before returning to look at Mari. "Thank you, by the way." His voice was softer for a moment before he spun his spear up onto his shoulders. 

 

"So - I do have a Stun attack I can try using on the Variant if we need. It'll take just about all the energy I can use at once though." It was an offer and a warning at once, but he figured she'd know if it was necessary better than he would. 

 

[Mari 1]

"Tch. No." Mari scoffed. "You'd just waste your energy. I can wipe it out with a single strike."

"You're level one...maybe two at most, right? This thing would wipe you out in a few hits. Best you just let me handle this one and you work on not throwing food bars at peoples heads, hmm?"

Mari turned to the Nepent Variant which had approached the two - the difference - nothing more than a giant red flower atop its head. The thing came toward her and Ronnel, chittering loudly as it licked its oddly plump lips. A thick, white viscus liquid dripped from its gaping mouth, splashing onto the ground. Mari visibly shivered. She didn't remember these things being this nasty.

Mari lowered her body and gripped the ornate handle of her dagger tightly, it flashed with a bright light as she activated her own Sword Art skill, <<Round Accel>> She kicked off the ground and aimed straight for the jugular...or what was close enough to be the jugular of the Nepent Variant - striking it once Mari ducked to the side and used the momentum to strike it again.

The Nepent Variant made a garbled choking sound before collapsing to the floor. Mari didn't waste her time, she shoved her hand into the center of the flower on its head, then ripped out the Ovule - her hand was covered in a nasty, thick slime as she turned away from the Nepent. Not bothering to look at it as it shattered into red crystals.

The deceitfully strong woman approached Ronnel and dropped the Ovule into his hands.

"There. Done."

MARI: 934/940 HP    90/92 ENERGY
ID# 132917-  BD 7+1 = HIT
Round Accel    11 x 2 = 22 | 22-5 MIT = 17
NEPENT VARIENT  0/15HP  | 5 MIT |  10 DAM  | 
Ignores MIT on a natural roll of 10 | Drops <Nepents Ovule on LD 12+>

LOOT ROLL
#ID# 132918  LD: 15 - SUCCESS

@Ronnel

 

Edited December 29, 2019 by Mari

[Ronnel 0]

 

He'd been precisely right - watching her take the disformed, misshapen form of the Nepent Variant on and slaughter it with ease had reminded him of the hard difference between them. He might have been able to chip the beast down over time if it didn't kill him, but it would have been a long, arduous slog of a fight. For her? It was a matter of moments to utterly destroy the digital being. Ronnel let out a long, low whistle. 

 

"I know it isn't much to you, but damn that was like watching poetry in motion." He rolled the ovule back and forth in his hands for a moment before chuckling softly and dropping it into his inventory. "A bit ugly poetry, but that had to do with the subject, not the author." Shoulders rolled as he tucked his spear back, not returning it to his inventory in case they were attacked, but moving it so he could lean on it and relax a moment as he looked around them. 

 

"So then - I don't particularly feel like just running back to town at the moment. Feels a bit too like… I don't know. Just abusing your kindness or something." One hand came up and rubbed his chin before he snapped his fingers. "Right! I know I already gave you something, but are you hungry? I've got extra food from earlier."

[Mari 1]

Mari blinked, did he just...say she was poetry in motion? Mari stared blankly at him for a few moments before she began to examine her body. Muddy, dirty, and now her right arm was covered in a thick, clear slime.  “I think you and I Have different ideas of poetry there, bucko.”

The dark-haired man threw his head back with a laugh and shook his head with a light shrug of his shoulders. She gave him a glare before continuing. “And, kindness?” Mari shook her head. “Don’t mistake my actions for that. I’m simply upholding my end of the bargain.”

Mari pushed past him, being sure to give his shoulder a hard shove as she headed back toward the lake. “In case you haven’t noticed I’m literally covered in dirt. I don’t know about your eating standards, but I like to be somewhat clean before I shove food into my face.” Mari said with a snide tone as she headed toward the river.

“Besides. I do not know you well enough to accept food from you or eat in front of you. No offence. I just don’t trust you.” It was cold, but it was the truth. She had friends who she opened up to and trusted. And where did that lead her? More names on the Monument of Life - more people ripped from this world. A sigh fell from her lips as her shoulders sagged.

[Ronnel 0]

"That's… Well I certainly won't force you to eat around me." Ronnel for a moment thought about trying to drag whatever was weighing on her out but considering she had literally just said she didn't trust him, all he would be doing then was wasting his breath and probably irritating her even more. Instead he chewed his lip for a moment. 

 

"And I do consider it a kindness. Because you didn't have to offer to help." His voice was quiet and steady. "Hell. Most of the straight 'green' players? Would probably look at a fresh idiot like me and just [censored] laugh. I know you've got sh- stuff going on that prompted you to make the offer but even so, you did." He shrugged as he followed behind her to the lake, keeping a short distance to one side to not crowd her. 

 

"When you've got no one, anyone reaching out their hand to give you help for whatever reason means a lot. And - you were up front about your reasons for offering me that help. No hiding it, no plotting behind my back about how to abuse it. So what if it was a trade? It was help I desperately needed. So, thank you for your kindness, Mari." He disequipped most of his armor, leaving himself in a thin white shirt and then knelt by the lake shore and splashed his face as he quieted down. He'd been alone after the fiasco with his family, and being stuck in this death game hadn't helped one bit. Mari's aid, even if she rescinded it after this quest - it had meant a lot to him. 

 

 

[Mari 1]

“I won’t.” Came Mari’s blunt reply when he reittereated that he wouldn’t force her to eat around him. “And you couldn’t, you may be taller than me, and broader than me, but in this game its all numbers - and mine are greater than yours. I could literally punch you and it’d do damage.” Mari glanced over her shoulder at him.“There’s a quest for that, by the way.”

"Wait. For punching me in particular? Or punching someone out in general. Is that how you get martial arts?" Ronnel said as he blinked and tilted his head.

Is this guy serious? Mari gave him a dumbfounded expression then snorted. The notion was amusing, the slightest hint of a smile tugged at her usually stoic lips. “If there were a quest for punching you, I’d have done so already. You get Martial Arts by punching a giant boulder.” She pursed her lips. “I suppose some may mistake you for one.”

They arrived at the riverbank and Mari didn’t even bother taking off her clothing - she threw herself into the river. Head under the water and all. She held her breath a few moments as she furiously scrubbed at her hair before she came up for air. Mari slicked back her wet hair before scrubbing down the rest of her body - the clothes would just automatically be fine once she left the river so she didn’t bother scrubbing those. She just wanted the dirt off her body.

“You can paint it however you want.” Mari finally said - addressing his words. “But it’s not kindness, reaching out to others when they have no one?” Mari bit her tongue. “That’s just...manipulation…” She muttered as she turned her back on him. IT was true, anyone who had reached out to her when she was alone...they all had lied to her, with the exception of Alkor. “Most people in this world would do anything for said numbers. I’m not kind by being truthful. I’m just doing what I think is right. People can do or say what they want about me - but at least I know I’ve always, always been truthful.”

[Ronnel 0]

"I like to think that I'm not quite as dense as a Boulder. Then again I did hurl a food bar at someone who I should have thought would kill me so maybe I would serve as a good substitute." Ronnel chuckled. 

 

"It depends on the reason." Ronnel say down on the bank after scrubbing himself down some. "If you're focused on the 'numbers' and that's your be all and end all? That's… Kinda sad, in my eyes. But it's how they keep moving forward, I guess." He ran the fingers of one hand through his hair. "Hell. That's not just in here though, is it. Out there, too, most everyone had some kind of motive. Something they wanted. You were incredibly lucky if you found someone who just… Wanted you to be happy." He closed his eyes for a long few moments. 

 

"But forget them. The others in here I mean. Unless you're secretly doing all this to kill me which I doubt - because like you said so far you've been nothing but honest with me - then you helped me when all you wanted was food." He opened his eyes again and turned to look at her as she waded out of the water. "That ain't manipulation." He shrugged and stood up. 

"But that's my two col. I know it probably isn't much to you but it's what I've got to offer. Anyway, we should probably head back to town. Or I should, and you should…" Ronnel's lips quirked downwards. "Empty night. Telling you to go back to the forest just sounds downright mean for no reason." He shook his head. 

 

[Mari 1]

Ronnel mentioned how it was kinda sad that people focused on numbers, and Mari’s thoughts drifted to Alkor, he seemed to do just that. He was so focused on the numbers, on helping others and on his own strength. Some part of him must have felt lonely, right? Mari made a mental note to do her best to reach out to him more and be there for him as much as she could. She had just gotten him back, she didn’t want to lose him again. He was part of why she was trying to better herself. “It is...lonely…”

Mari shot Ronnel a glare as he suggested she was doing all of this to kill him. “The f**k do you know.” She spat. The comment hit a nerve. It’s exactly what her former friends had done, befriend her, go on quests with her, lower her defences and for what? To try and turn on her at a moments notice. Claiming it was for the ‘good of Aincrad’ because how dare she hold onto a single demonic item when someone else could use it.

“We?” Mari scoffed. Before she could open her mouth to give him a rude remark on how they should both head back to town Ronnel quickly corrected himself. “Best you not dwell on what I do at night.” Mari mused as she waved him off.

“Go - contact me if you want my aid again.” Mari waved Ronnel off as she climbed up and out of the river. They were done here.