[PP | F1] Fetch Quest and Friendships <<The Second Lesson, Is Also Free>>

[Katoka 0]

It felt as though time had slowed down for a brief moment when Alicia called out to her, first in what sounded like an embarrassed voice, then in warning. Turning around she saw the boar charging at her, but also Alicia dashing in to intercept the attack. She was surprised, mostly because she knew that the boar was weak, and with her borrowed armor the damage would be almost nothing. But the sight of her golden head bobbing into view and the battle ready face she wore made her stomach do a flip, as she blocked the incoming attack she was mesmerized by her beautiful golden hair in a tight braid. Images flashed in her mind's eye, she wanted to sit with her and brush her hair out while talking the night away, she wanted to lay her head in her lap and make her laugh, she wanted to...

Katoka shook her head, where were these thoughts coming from? Could she? Did she? No, this wasn't the place to think about that. "Alicia-san! Did you forget you gave me your armor? You didn't have to do that silly." she felt her face flush, thankfully she was out of view.

Ruler | HP:80/80 | EN:2/8 | DMG: 6 | ACC: 3 | LD: 6
Katoka | HP:79/80 | EN: 1/8 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 18 | LD: 36

Boar Pup: 5/5 | 3 DMG

Edited July 15, 2020 by Katoka

[Ruler 0]

Ruler herself looked less than quiet. Her stance was firm and serious, her hold on her blade tightened as the two clashed. She was going against her word where she promised that she wouldn’t get too attached or coddle her friend, yet she couldn’t help it. The system could fool people, this tiny boar could do more damage than it looks like. Ruler threw the boar of to the side and kicked it in the other direction.

She was stuck posing in the position that she had smacked the boar off in as her eyes met with Katoka. In her mind, she was protecting the girl from a fatal blow, acting on instinct. What if... she could have ended up like her old fri-. No she had to get over. Remember, don’t dwell, Alicia.

”I-I apologize.” Ruler says sheathing her blade and backing off, her face still red.

[Katoka 0]

Alicia seemed troubled by something, but Katsu didn't press the matter. She felt safe in her presence, like no matter what she would be there to protect her, but her determination to protect seemed to have a source to it's drive. She wanted to become strong enough that she didn't need Ruler's protection, but not because she didn't want it, because she didn't want to make her worry. She was not going to be a burden to those around her, especially to someone that she... No, not the place or the time.

"You don't have to apologize. I'm going to get stronger, strong enough that I can protect you too." she promised, posing again to charge up her skill. She lunged again but unfortunately missed this boar in the process. She managed to side step as it made an attack on her and laughed, "But I've still got a long way to go."

Ruler | HP:80/80 | EN:2/8 | DMG: 6 | ACC: 3 | LD: 6
Katoka | HP:79/80 | EN: 2/8 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 18 | LD: 36

Boar Pup: 5/5 | 3 DMG

Edited July 15, 2020 by Katoka

[Ruler 0]

Ruler seems to sweat a little, even though she can’t necessarily sweat. Katoka’s words cut deep into her skin but sow the wounds shut. “Please stop saying things like that.” She whispers, hushing her voice behind her wrist.

Katoka missed her attack yet again and she was feeling bad. Should she rush in and help her kill it off so that she can rest? N-No, maybe she should just ask this time.

”Uh, Katsu-chan? Maybe you should take a rest. Th-This is your first time in a fight, don’t strain yourself okay?” She asked quietly as Katoka came back in to fight some more. Her hand was firmly placed at her weapons side. The moment that she asked for her help, Alicia would be there like a flash of a golden streak. Maybe she was becoming a softy with this girl, but she was just about the most innocent person she had ever met. An exception could be made.

[Katoka 0]

Alicia was right, she needed to rest a bit. Katsu could feel the fatigue in her arm from the repeated sword skill use. "Alicia-chan, could you get this one for me? I think I need a break." she hated admitting defeat this early, but this was her first real battle. Her disappointment in herself was almost immeasurable, after all that Ruler had done for her and she still had to ask for more help.

No, it was natural for her to need to rest. She was still low level and had all her starting gear after all, how could she compare someone so cool and strong... There must be something wrong with her, why couldn't she stop thinking like this? Her mother used to refer to things like this as 'youth', but it was getting ridiculous. "It'll only be for a little bit, then I'll get these last couple tusks in no time." she said reassuringly, hoping that she didn't worry her. The boar however took this opportunity to attack her, hitting her leg and causing her to stumble.

Ruler | HP:80/80 | EN:2/8 | DMG: 6 | ACC: 3 | LD: 6
Katoka | HP:78/80 | EN: 2/8 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 18 | LD: 36

Boar Pup: 5/5 | 3 DMG

Edited July 15, 2020 by Katoka

[Ruler 0]

Alicia was faster than light the moment that he new friend called for help. Her spear had been readied and already glowing with an unnecessary sword art to end this boar. The moment that the boar touched Katoka, the Ruler slammed her spear down where the boar was, cracking pieces of dirt that only repatched into the surface of the ground. The chunks disappeared into light and polygons of data that soon faded away.

"Move back! I won't let it hurt you any more!" Alicia called out to her fellow blonde, taking a stance that a seasoned fighter would know. The game was feeling her emotion and in-turn, was the system taking over her movements? Or, was it really just her own movements being overtaken by the want to protect her. "Fiend! You will pay for causing this girl distress! I'm going to put you down!" She yelled at the boar, who really couldn't understand her.

---

Ruler | HP: 80/80 | EN: 8/8 | DMG: 6 | ACC: 3 | LD: 6
Katoka | HP: 78/80 | EN: 1/8 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 18 | LD: 6

Boar Pup: 5/5 | 3 DMG

[Katoka 0]

Katsu was surprised by the might that Alicia wielded. She hopped back a few steps to give her room and heard the fury in her voice, it sent a chill down her spine but she also enjoyed the feeling of someone as strong as her there for her protection. She began to wonder if she had a hero complex, that she wanted someone to scoop her up with their strong arms and muscular back... Her face flushed again and she patted her cheeks to bring herself back to reality. Rest now, weird thoughts later.

"Woo, you can do it Alicia-chan!" she cheered her on, hoping that she wouldn't be a distraction to her. Then she realized that she was wearing Alicia's armor and that the boar would be attacking her next. "P-Please be careful!" she didn't like the thought of her getting hurt, in fact she hated it a lot.

Ruler | HP: 80/80 | EN: 8/8 | DMG: 6 | ACC: 3 | LD: 6
Katoka | HP: 78/80 | EN: 1/8 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 18 | LD: 6

Boar Pup: 5/5 | 3 DMG

Edited July 15, 2020 by Katoka

[Ruler 0]

Ruler heard Katoka's voice reached her, however, her mind was enveloped in battle. She was calm and focused like usual, but to her friend, she probably looked angry or too serious.

The boar charged her to which Ruler brought the rear of her spear into the side of the boar knocking it on her side. With a helicopter blade like movement, Alicia launched the boar directly in the air. The spears end tore the grass and sent the giant lump of bacon into the clouds. Soon, it came back down, still not finished from her attack. With her last attack, Ruler stabbed the weapon into the skull of the beast.

With a huff, she pulled her spear loose and sighed. It was then she remember that Katoka was still here and staring at her, either in awe or fear, or maybe both. She hurried over to her and ushered her away from the battlefield. "I-I apologize. I got a little carried away. Are you injured with a status effect? No lingering damage?" She looked over Katoka's frame to ensure that all her wounds were accounted for.

---

Ruler | HP: 80/80 | EN:6/8 | DMG: 6 | ACC: 3 | LD: 3
Katoka | HP: 78/80 | EN: 1/8 | DMG: 4 | ACC: 0 | MIT: 18 | LD: 6

Boar Pup: 5/5 | 3 DMG

[Katoka 0]

Katsu was surprised at Alicia's strength, she fought with a grace that she envied. She promised herself that one days she would dance across the battlefield in a way that made her envious too. But for now she needed to rest. "I'm fine, I'm fine. I just need to rest some." she walked with Ruler off of the battlefield while returning her sword to it's sheath. "You're really good with your weapons, do you have much battle experience?" she asked, trying to break the silence. She had a feeling that she had  at least a bit more practice considering they were the same level, yet her technique was superb.

She saw a nice shady tree not far from them that looked like it would be a nice cool place to rest, "Ooo, let's sit there! It looks perfect." she grabbed Ruler's arm and tugged her along, "Come on, lets go!"

[Ruler 0]

"Oh, um-" Ruler yelped a little as Katsumi pulled her along. Her heels almost forced her onto the ground as she stumbled over her longer legs. Alicia blushed as the made it underneath the shade of the tree.

"I hardly have any more combat experience than you. We are the same level. If we weren't, I wouldn't be able to do this quest with you." She said, thinking that subject would be kind of depressing. Even if she was a little different from others, Katoka was rather charming in her own way. Whether or not she was actually teasing her to show that she was attracted to her, or just to have some fun, Alicia was pleased that she got the chance to meet the younger blonde.

"I'm glad to see that you are fine." Alicia said with a soft smile, taking a seat in the grass on her knees. She always came off so posh. Hopefully the other wouldn't find her rude as a result.

[Katoka 0]

Katsu was surprised to hear that, Alicia must be a natural then. She excitedly plopped down on the grass and laid back, sighing as the feel of the soft grass. She rolled over to see Alicia's knees close by and stared for a brief moment before turning back to the sky, her face was a bit pink at the thought of resting her head on her lap. So instead the took to watching the leaves move with the wind and slowly she began to get drowsy. Her mind wandered to home and how she would do the same thing in her yard on a nice day, she would read a book or just watch clouds pass by before falling asleep.

Soon she had done just that and was softly snoring next to her blonde companion while dreaming of home. She rolled to her side and placed her hands under her head like a pillow, curling into a ball and skootching closely to Ruler's side without realizing it.

[Ruler 0]

Ruler looked off into the distance, keeping a vigilant watch until Katoka could regain her energy. There were boars around, but none of them were nearby and likely they wouldn't be a problem as long as the girls didn't bother them. Her brows were stern and watchful, yet when the other girl began to snore quietly and edge closer to her, Alicia's face blushed up.

Moving quietly over to her backside, Ruler put her back against Katoka's. They were less than an inch from being in contact, back to back. The younger blonde's quiet snores could be heard over squealing boars. Ruler did her best not to look down at her friend while she slept, yet she couldn't help but sneak a peak at her face: She was adorable.

Alicia's face soon contrasted the golden hue of her hair. She kept her spear on hand, ready to jump into action if anything tried to attack them. 

[Katoka 0]

Katoka napped for a while and slowly woke back up. She turned slightly and saw her partner back to back with her and she turned back not wanting to ruin the moment. After some time she asked, "Alicia-chan, do you think I can get strong enough?" she wanted her honest opinion. She needed to hear either answer from someone, if she believed that she could then she would have something to look back on when she was feeling down on herself. She turned around and placed her forehead on her back, closing her eyes and taking a moment to feel her warmth and smell her perfume; It was the same as the armor she had lent her.

"Can we stay like this? For just a while longer? I'm sorry if this is too embarrassing for you." she asked, knowing she was being greedy for her request, but she hadn't had much contact with anyone for the last few years that even just his was enough for the time being.

[Ruler 0]

Alicia was pretty quiet, making sure not to disturb her friend while she was sleeping. She was getting rather content with her silence and the feeling of another person being close with her.

"Alicia-chan, do you think I can get strong enough?" Ruler yelped again as Katoka spoke up without even moving. At first she had assumed that the girl would at least sit up before speaking to her, yet again she had caused her to let out a surprised gasp. Before Ruler could even get out a word, Katoka was already asking a lot of her. Was this the moment where she broke? The moment that she needed to decide just how she was going to handle this relationship with the girl. "Can we stay like this? For just a while longer? I'm sorry if this is too embarrassing for you."

Ruler turned on her knees and met with Katoka's adorable face. She wanted to tell her to calm down and that everything would be fine, but her body outpaced her brain power. The blonde pulled her into a tender hung, making sure not to pull her in too close just yet. "Katsumi-san, you are obviously a little worried, or feeling lonely. I'm going to guess lonely. Please don't push yourself too hard alright? If you stress too much, you'll end up with wrinkles." She chuckled awkwardly, trying to lighten the mood, running her hair across the smaller woman's back. "If me being here as a crutch is what you need to move on, then I will be here for you until you no longer need me. Stay like this as long as you need."

[Katoka 0]

It was Katoka's turn to be surprised, she didn't expect to be pulled into a hug but she welcomed it. When Ruler said she would be a crutch it made her upset, she pushed her back and looked her dead in the face, "I would never think of using you in such a way Alicia." she dropped the honorifics to show how serious she was, "You are not something to be used and tossed away. You are amazing and kind and so strong. I want to be like you Alicia, I want to step onto the battlefield along side you and be your compliment. To fight and protect for you and others while." she was beginning to cry, "Don't tell me to use you like that, I will never."

She didn't know why she felt so strongly but she knew she never wanted Alicia to feel like some sort of tool to be used by others and thrown away. She hoped that she could understand that, she would find some way to explain it to her.

[Ruler 0]

Kotoka did much more than she might have expected. She let go of her hug and got so serious as to drop the honorifics completely. From what she knew, that was something completely serious for Japanese culture. Only really close friends and family would call each other by them by names without a denominator.

”K-Katsumi. I-I don’t know. I’m... Im..” Ruler moved to the side, hiding her face through the curtain of beautiful golden hair. She didn’t want to show weakness, but she couldn’t resist the innocent charm of the other girl. ”I don’t want to get attached... I-I can’t...Please don’t get me into something Ill regret. I’m worried to death.”

Ruler seemed to start shaking in her seat, this might have actually broken her. Getting this close to another friend was worrisome. If something happened to her while they were bonding and becoming better friends, she wouldn't be able to handle it.

[Katoka 0]

"You... You don't want to get attached?" she asked confused. Wiping the tears from her face she placed a hand on her shoulder, "I don't understand, do you not want to be f-friends with me?" the word friends felt wrong in her mouth but she didn't know what she really wanted to say, not yet at least. "Alicia we're all in this awful place together, if you don't get close to people because you're afraid to lose them then you'll live a horribly lonely life don't you think?" she asked, hoping that she'd say something to help her in some way. "I don't want to force you to do something you don't want to do, but I also don't want you to hold me or other people so far from yourself. "So please," she leaned in a bit closer, "you don't have to shoulder your burdens by yourself, I'm here if you need to talk or to cry on my shoulder."

[Ruler 0]

“No! I-I’m sorry! I want to be friends, I want to get to know you better Katsumi.” Ruler huddled into her seat, only replaying the awful scene of her friends just simply vanishing in front of her. Only to find out later that he friends had been killed by the system. That they never had a chance to live. Then her mind played the thought of Katoka falling over dead.

Needless to say, she screamed.

Her shaking became violent now. She mumbled a little to herself. “I can’t see another person die. Please I don’t want to watch it again... I-I...” Ruler didn’t know what she wanted right now. Nothing she could do could calm herself from this. If they were to get attacked right now, it would be clear that she might not be able to react very quickly.

”What if... Wh-What if...”

[Katoka 0]

Katsumi didn't realize that Alicia felt this way, they had only spent a sort amount of time together and she had broken her already. She pulled the blonde woman into a tight hug, burying her face into her chest. "Alicia I'm so sorry, please, I promise you I'll be careful. I promise you that I won't tale any unnecessary risks. I won't, I won't..." she wanted to say 'won't die' but she couldn't make that promise, "I won't hurt you. Ever." She pet the back of her head in an attempt to calm her down.

"I wan't to get to know you more, to grow closer. I need to figure out these feelings I have, I'm so confused and scare, but I know that I want to be around you more." tears were rolling down her face again as she tried to console Ruler the best she could while she attempted to hold herself together.

[Ruler 0]

Ruler took a few deep breaths as she made an attempt to calm herself. Katoka was doing her best now to console her now that she was losing it and she was telling her just awhile ago that she would protect her. Worthless excuse for a body guard if she would say so herself.

Finally, she stoped shaking and her heavy breathing calmed enough to get words out. She looked over to katsumi, still not a tear in her eye, tried to smile. This conversation was getting out of hand ”You’re so sweet, Katusmi-san. I apologize for losing my cool in front of you. I-I don’t know what came over me. If you don’t mind, can we maybe save this conversation for after we’re done here in the fields? Its not that its bothering me, but I’d rather not just sit around here emotionally broken up when there are enemies all around us. Let’s get you the rest of these tusks, okay?”

Ruler stood from her seat and offered Katsumi a hand to stand up. A warm smile was back on her face.