[F22-SP] <<Night about the Galactic Lake>> | Every Little Thing She Does Is—

[NIGHT 0]

She drags her feet against the stone pavement, her shuffles all but drowned against the bustle of the festivities and heavy paces of the crowd. It doesn't take long for one to reach the edge of town from one end, so long as they could weave their way through the masses ahead of them. Ever clairvoyant, the entity doesn't need to turn around to know that her attached was following behind, teeth gritted, all fangs and no bite as the player gives chase to her shadowy figure. In truth, DAY herself had felt the pull of wanting to slow down, too... But no. It wouldn't do well for either of them to cause a scene in the middle of town.

She knows – and she manages – the slow-burning resentment and appalment from her other about the entity's state. Yet there has ever been the necessity for her, as a construct, to uphold a persona of neutrality; unwavering, stalwart and discrete in her decision. The bombardment of a guilt to plague her systems just so was near unprecedented; a blemish on the otherwise picturesque record of check marks and point gains she'd accumulated throughout the day. In seconds, never mind minutes, her work had been lost in the evening hour.

	NIGHT   | HP: 1410/1410 | EN: 153/153   | ACC: 4 | DMG: 25 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 87 | BH: 70   | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8* | PROSP: 3   | Stealth Detection: 4 | Stealth Rating: 7   | Dungeon Search: 2
* [Filling] used to provide +1 LD. Declarations: > OOC Regen bumped up to 60 HP per post due to [Survival], [Water Canister].
[Examine] [Equipment] Dragon's Gaze -- [ Keen I | After a successful attack, gain +1 BD until your next successful attack, at which point this bonus is removed. Another successful attack will reactivate this enhancement. ] -- [ Paralyze I | Natural successful attack rolls of 9-10 remove the enemy’s action on their next turn. Paralyzed opponents lose any evasion properties. ] -- [ Absolute Accuracy | +1 ACC. Attack rolls of 1 no longer automatically miss. ] Reinforced Black Tracksuit -- [ Mitigation I | +54 MIT. ] -- [ Evasion I | +1 EVA. ] Silver Crescent Necklace -- [ Accuracy II | +2 ACC ] -- [ Evasion II | +2 EVA ] [Battle-Ready Inventory] [T1E3] Teleport Crystal (2) | Instant | TELEPORT [T1E3] Imugi's Inspiration (5) | Instant | MASS HP RECOVERY [+30*Tier HP] [T3E3] Cold Brew Coffee (5) | HP RECOVERY III [+180 HP] Skills Skills Mod Count: 8/8 Two-Handed Straight Sword | Passive | RANK 5/5 > Ferocity, Precision, Finesse Light Armor | Passive | RANK 4/5  > Athletics Searching | Passive | RANK 4/5 > Reveal Hiding | Passive | RANK 4+1/5 > Blindside, Vanish, Surprise Attack: Trickster Extended Mod Limit | Passive | RANK 3/3  Battle Healing | Passive | RANK 5/5 Energist | Passive [Extra] Survival | Passive  Concentration | Active -- CD: 3 Familiar Mastery: Fighter | Passive | RANK 3/3 Consumed Buffs  Spoiler Kumatetsu Statue | +1 DMG Water Canister | +15 HP PER OOC REGEN Supernova Yokan Block | LOOT DIE III | >> Hanami Dango | PROSPERITY III Titan's Strength | DAMAGE III Well-done Steak | PROTEIN II [T3E3] Potion of Obsidian Flesh Compound III | MITIGATION III [+45 MIT] Misc. Buffs Spoiler Dimensional Backpack, Item Stash | +2 Battle-Ready Inventory Slots. Well Rested | -1 EN for the first three expenditures of each combat.  Relaxed | +(5 * Tier) HP per out-of-combat post. Full energy restoration occurs after two turns out of combat. Squeaky Clean | -25% DoT damage taken from the first DoT applied to this player in a thread. Skylight: Hiding | +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cooldown of 30 days to reassign. Multipurpose | +1 LD/Prosperity/Stealth/Detection to one post per thread. Can be applied after a roll. Filling | +1 T1 slot to a food consumed by this player in a thread. Can exceed Cook enhancement caps. Col Deposit | +5% col from loot-minimum mobs, +10% col from treasure chests.

[NIGHT 0]

How NIGHT would deal with the aftermath, DAY could only hazard a guess so far as to the player's emotions and nothing more. She would surely need some space, the Gemini had decided. Likewise in turn, there was this nagging desire clogged in her systems for her to hide away in the darkness. If only Aincrad would allow her to.

Alas, all she'd done was steal time away from her other.

Her answer from the world came in the soft croaking of late-night frogs, the faint screeching of the cicadas, the gentle rippling of waters carving into soil down by the lake. As she cedes her pace by the liquid frontier, what stands above all else happens to be the racing of footsteps slowed to a jog, peppered with light, dry breathing. It is her companion that ties her back to reality, lets her know that she's not allowed to fade away into the abyss just yet — a vexing quality, that persistence. Despite DAY's best judgement and guesses, she was not wholly prepared for what was about to come from her distant associate. When she turns, her masked blue eyes catch NIGHT's violets as the woman tears off her canine persona, the item petering out of existence in her hands with a magnitude of Cardinal's greebles.

Spoiler

Using [Concentration]. (+1 ACC) to the following rolls:
ID: 166004 | BD: 15 (10, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #1.
25 + 2 = 27 DMG | 27 * 12 = 324 DMG

ID: 166003 | BD: 13 (8, +5) | MD: -2 (1, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #2.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #2 missed!

ID: 166002 | BD: 6 (1, +5) | MD: 2 (5, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #3.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #3 missed!

ID: 166001 | BD: 11 (6, +5) | MD: 2 (5, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #4.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #4 missed!
Ending [Concentration].
[Keen] activated. (+1 ACC) to subsequent rolls.

Rain Minion Straggler #1 | HP: 276/600 (-324) | DMG: 207 | PARALYZED
Rain Minion Straggler #2 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #3 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #4 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[2, 1, 1, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1410/1410 | EN: 137/153 (-16) | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 (+1) | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | CONCENTRATION (0/3)

[NIGHT 0]

"Where do you think you're going?"

She watches as NIGHT closes the space in between them, fangs finally bare. The player's sights narrow as she paces with care downhill, aura fraught with an unreadable disdain. Underfoot, the ruffling of grass joins a choir of sounds in the distance.

"You shouldn't be leaving without a reason, y'know."

DAY slides her gaze to the side, mask catching the warm glow of a lantern drifting along the edge of the water. Even as her systems churn tirelessly for a response, she comes up wordless, empty-handed, leaving a void present where her original's words lingered in the air. She knows NIGHT has halted a few feet away from her when her shadow sinks into view, further cloaking the shore in darkness. The player turns her head in a moment of silence, before they look towards the other direction, the entity feeling her other's gaze leave her form entirely.

Spoiler

ID: 166008 | BD: 12 (7, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #1.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166007 | BD: 12 (7, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #2.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166006 | BD: 8 (3, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #3.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166005 | BD: 10 (5, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #4.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #1 | HP: -24/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #2 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #3 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #4 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[3, 2, 2, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1410/1410 | EN: 122/153 (+1, -16) | DMG: 25 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | CONCENTRATION (1/3)

Loot:
ID: [166077] | LD: 27 (19, +8) | CD: 10 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Intermediate Dungeon Map: Floor 22 (1)
ID: [166078] | LD: 16 (8, +8) | CD: 12 | 8,190col, Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166079] | LD: 15 (7, +8) | CD: 4 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166080] | LD: 9 (1, +8) | CD: 2 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Uncommon Consumable (1)

[NIGHT 0]

When she raises her head to check, NIGHT turns away even further. Her sights were on the distance, eyes hidden from the locks that draped the sides of her face. And though she'd seemed stoic at first, the query that followed notes DAY's sudden receptiveness, a simple question that she couldn't help but return an answer to.

"—Do you know how to row a boat?"

- - -

It was, indeed, within her specialty as an AI. DAY takes the center of the dinghy as NIGHT settles in at the back, the entity paddling the oars once she confirms an initiation with her aide. On the crumpled landscape, she guides them towards the heart of the lake with perfect precision, each cycle of her rows missing the yellowed candled obstacles that found want to float towards them in ambiance. The waves that lick the sides of their boat joins the faded, faraway chorus of noise, whilst the gentle ripples of their forward momentum accompany them ever forward on their little voyage.

In the seconds between, what fell between the two was a somber and uncomfortable silence.

Spoiler

ID: 166012 | BD: 14 (9, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #5.
25 + 1 = 26 DMG | 26 * 12 = 312 DMG

ID: 166011 | BD: 12 (7, +5) | MD: 3 (6, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #6.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #6 missed!

ID: 166010 | BD: 13 (8, +5) | MD: 6 (9, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #7.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #7 attacks NIGHT!
207 + 1 = 208 DMG | 208 - 87 = 121 DMG

ID: 166009 | BD: 13 (8, +5) | MD: -1 (2, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #8.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #8 missed!

Rain Minion Straggler #5 | HP: 288/600 (-312) | DMG: 207 | PARALYZED
Rain Minion Straggler #6 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #7 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #8 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[2, 1, 1, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1289/1410 (-121) | EN: 107/153 (+1, -16) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | CONCENTRATION (2/3)

[NIGHT 0]

NIGHT appeared to be drinking in the scenery, head turned sideways with her cheek on her knuckles, the woman scanning the starry sky by her side. Through the slits of her mask, the Gemini watches her, calculations and crunching numbers at the back of her mind. They run through the few possibilities of what the player might be toying with in her head, but the entity comes to no definite conclusion. She slows their advances just so as they approach the circle of players already present, their attendance much earlier than the duo's current own. Was this to be expected the destination of their short journey?

Her company's eyes shoot towards the entity, sulk ever present upon her darkened face. It is unnerving, that look that tells the entity something is amiss, and for what felt like the first time that night, she finds it within her systems to give voice to her questions.

"Is something wrong?"

"Ah— no. Just... bring us a little further."

Spoiler

ID: 166016 | BD: 11 (6, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #5.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166015 | BD: 10 (5, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #6.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166014 | BD: 13 (8, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #7.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166013 | BD: 14 (9, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #8.
25 + 1 = 26 DMG | 26 * 12 = 312 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #5 | HP: -12/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #6 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #7 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #8 | HP: -12/600 (-312) | DMG: 207

[3, 2, 2, 3] NIGHT | HP: 1359/1410 (+70) | EN: 91/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | CONCENTRATION (3/3)

Loot:
ID: [166081] | LD: 10 (2, +8) | CD: 11 | 5,670col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166082] | LD: 20 (12, +8) | CD: 11 | 7,560col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Weapon (1)
ID: [166083] | LD: 21 (13, +8) | CD: 8 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Consumable (2)
ID: [166085] | LD: 27 (19, +8) | CD: 11 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Intermediate Dungeon Map: Floor 22 (1)

[NIGHT 0]

DAY is hesitant to comply, but her fingers snake around the handles of the oars anyway. As a construct, she understands her obedient nature, to follow through with her player's orders now acting as a Cardinal-issued directive. She wades past the other masses, an innate instinct guiding her around the bends of the other boats, the trickle of light from the waterborne lanterns fading away as she leaves them behind. In seconds, they enter the darker, secluded space that lies beyond the reach of the center, alone at the end of the starry galactic lake. A few lost lanterns still decorate their view, but their lights remain incomparable to the ones set at the forefront of the bay.

It is the woman's reticent shuffling through her menus that keys the Gemini in to stop. The entity tucks their oars in just as NIGHT's gloves vanish from her hands. Their vessel's gentle floating guides them in parallel of another lantern nearby, and the player reaches for it, grabbing ahold of the float's base with a tender hand. It takes her little effort to set down the decor upon their vehicle's floor, sandwiched between the legs of two beings.

Spoiler

ID: 166020 | BD: 10 (5, +5) | MD: 3 (6, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #9.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #9 missed!

ID: 166019 | BD: 14 (9, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #10.
25 + 1 = 26 DMG | 26 * 12 = 312 DMG

ID: 166018 | BD: 8 (3, +5) | MD: 4 (7, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #11.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #11 missed!

ID: 166017 | BD: 8 (3, +5) | MD: 7 (10, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #12.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #12 attacks NIGHT!
207 + 2 = 209 DMG | 209 - 87 = 122 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #9 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #10 | HP: 288/600 (-312) | DMG: 207 | PARALYZED
Rain Minion Straggler #11 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #12 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[1, 2, 1, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1288/1410 (+51, -122) | EN: 75/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3 | CONCENTRATION (3/3)

[NIGHT 0]

"...What's this about?"

"It's dark out. Hard to see without it."

The candle drenches their surroundings in a dim, pulsating glow. It's warm, but DAY can't seem to find the change in atmosphere welcoming despite the tensors in her being signifying so. Regardless, she buys into their definition, watching the player riffle through their belongings once again. When NIGHT is ready, the sleek of the menu before her blinks off, and in her now gloved hands, a small block wrapped in green paper regenerates, bundled loosely together with two plastic chip forks.

"I got us something," she admits, unfurling the package to reveal the dessert underneath. A small piece of jelly with a cloud of colorful stardust trapped in its interior, surrounded by a sprinkle of glitter acting as stars that dance around their central piece. The elements in the clear yokan stand out well against the darkness of the surrounding lake, and they take on a rich hue with the fire below them casting shades upon shades within the treat in her hand.

Spoiler

ID: 166024 | BD: 11 (6, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #9.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166023 | BD: 9 (4, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #10.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166022 | BD: 15 (10, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #11.
25 + 2 = 27 DMG | 27 * 12 = 324 DMG

ID: 166021 | BD: 12 (7, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #12.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #9 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #10 | HP: -12/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #11 | HP: -24/600 (-324) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #12 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[2, 3, 3, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1358/1410 (+70) | EN: 59/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

Loot:
ID: [166087] | LD: 27 (19, +8) | CD: 2 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Consumable (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (2)
ID: [166088] | LD: 21 (13, +8) | CD: 9 | 6,930col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Trinket (1)
ID: [166089] | LD: 9 (1, +8) | CD: 8 | 5,670col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166091] | LD: 27 (19, +8) | CD: 1 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Consumable (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (2)

[NIGHT 0]

It's quiet; the moment when they sit still and examine the feast before them. An onus falls onto NIGHT when she breaks their wordless stalemate. "It's probably tasteless," she remarks dryly, "but no harm in giving it a try." With an arm, the food is extended towards DAY, but the player doesn't wait for her company's reaction to pick up a fork. She cuts into the side of the jelly and chips off a corner. The fallen portion holds fast to the prongs when she jabs into it, and soon, the piece vanishes with a bite between her lips.

The entity is hesitant about following through with the offer. At best, she returns the sole answer her response system could come up with at the moment; a simple and quiet reply.

"...Thanks."

Her words garner a questioning look from the player as she gulps down her chunk, sharp eyes piercing through DAY's distant facade. When the entity remains motionless for yet another of the woman's bites, NIGHT stops her feasting for the moment, an irritant expression crossing her face.

Spoiler

ID: 166028 | BD: 9 (4, +5) | MD: 1 (4, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #13.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #13 missed!

ID: 166027 | BD: 8 (3, +5) | MD: 7 (10, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #14.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #14 attacks NIGHT!
207 + 2 = 209 DMG | 209 - 87 = 122 DMG

ID: 166026 | BD: 14 (9, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #15.
25 + 1 = 26 DMG | 26 * 12 = 312 DMG

ID: 166025 | BD: 7 (2, +5) | MD: 3 (6, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #16.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #16 missed!

Rain Minion Straggler #13 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #14 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #15 | HP: 288/600 (-312) | DMG: 207 | PARALYZED
Rain Minion Straggler #16 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[1, 1, 2, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1288/1410 (+52, -122) | EN: 43/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

[NIGHT 0]

"Not in the mood to eat?"

There is a lack of conversation, DAY falling short on her words. The slightest hint of a shake of her head is enough for the player to take her response into stride. NIGHT hums in return, but her expression appears not to shift a narrowest bit.

She speaks. "I was hoping you'd take off your mask."

The request was strange, but DAY still complied. A hand raised over her disguise's snout, she wills the equipment away, before returning her arm to her side. As she does so, her eyes remain focused on her companion's demeanor. The player doesn't reveal much, setting down the yokan block on the bench she rests on, though when her lilacs flitter back to her doppel's appearance, her expression seems to soften ever so slightly.

"What is it?"

NIGHT lets a pause sit as she steels her gaze. "–You're not looking too good."

Spoiler

ID: 166032 | BD: 15 (10, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #13.
25 + 2 = 27 DMG | 27 * 12 = 324 DMG

ID: 166031 | BD: 10 (5, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #14.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166030 | BD: 6 (1, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #15.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166029 | BD: 12 (7, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #16.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #13 | HP: -24/600 (-324) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #14 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #15 | HP: -12/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #16 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[3, 2, 3, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1358/1410 (+70) | EN: 27/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

Loot:
ID: [166093] | LD: 17 (9, +8) | CD: 12 | 6,930col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166094] | LD: 25 (17, +8) | CD: 1 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Consumable (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (2)
ID: [166095] | LD: 10 (2, +8) | CD: 6 | 6,930col, Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166096] | LD: 14 (6, +8) | CD: 1 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)

[NIGHT 0]

The entity scoffs. NIGHT's observation had been true; there was a wry look painted on her face the moment her guard came down. And yet, admitting to it immediately wasn't in her predisposed nature. She crosses her arms in a huff, as NIGHT leans towards the edge of the boat, side, resting an elbow upon its ledge's surface.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

A throwaway defense, one that fails to offset the player's calmer attitude. The woman's lips meet the back of her knuckles, pressing down on dark polyester, eyes narrowing further. DAY starts to feel the burden of her scrutiny bear upon her shoulders, alongside the subtle docking of favours as the woman looks on unamused. Without her mask, it's difficult for the Gemini to sit in complete silence, she finds; the exposure acts as her liability, pushing for her to speak instead.

"You know," NIGHT adds with a terrifying finality. "You know exactly what I mean."

DAY wonders if the player could catch her faltering blues amidst the darkness and the quivering light.

Spoiler

NIGHT | HP: 1410/1410 (+52) | EN: 28/153 (+1) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

[NIGHT 0]

She follows the woman's gaze down, towards the rippling inky waves. A few lanterns float about on their lonesome in the distance, scattered and unsure. For a moment the entity imagines a partial kinship with the ornaments. Their reflections trail brokenly across the void, pulled apart at one angle and yet again at another further on. No structure, no solid form. Aimless and far away from the bulk of their brethren.

"You could've picked anyone else from my memory."

—And they were supposed to be a beacon of hope.

"So, why her?"

The woman eyes her counterpart from the side, her stare lacking daggers she'd once thrown towards her. "Just because she makes me happy? Because out of all the others, I'd be least likely to run into them again?"

DAY returns her gaze to one of the lanterns, inwardly wishing upon it that a generated response settles onto her tongue. Alas, none arrives.

Spoiler

> Two turns have passed since combat. EN has been restored to full.
NIGHT | HP: 1410/1410 | EN: 153/153 (+125) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

[NIGHT 0]

"Did you know? That some player out there who looks like her exists in Aincrad?"

She feels her incisors meet, the way she copes with the dirty look NIGHT throws her way. The marks down cut, even though they're only arbitrary numbers in a system; how Cardinal interprets the player's every movement, every scalding word for her only breathes pain and guilt into the entity. Each second that ticks by in silence thereafter lends DAY more time to learn, to savor the emotions she's been designated to feel through, that damnable seething roil of agony, indignation and sorrow. Wondering if she was meant to be the scapegoat for a system that wasn't meant to hurt.

At last, NIGHT breaks the mold, a troubled sigh exhaled through her lips.

"...If it's not one case of identity theft, it's another."

That very line alone sends tremors into her figure, edges of her form gradually dithering in the dark. Slowly, the Gemini shifts their torso onto their dinghy's side, two arms folded, hiding the stolen face from view. It wasn't necessary for her to keep track of her sensory statistics; she could tell that her cheeks were flush with heat just from the remark alone. As helpless as she finds herself being, she pushes her response system onwards anyway, hoping, praying for the words to appear and save her from this one-sided argument.

Spoiler

ID: 166036 | BD: 6 (1, +5) | MD: 4 (7, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #17.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #17 missed!

ID: 166035 | BD: 11 (6, +5) | MD: -2 (1, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #18.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #18 missed!

ID: 166034 | BD: 15 (10, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #19.
25 + 2 = 27 DMG | 27 * 12 = 324 DMG

ID: 166033 | BD: 6 (1, +5) | MD: 3 (6, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #20.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #20 missed!

Rain Minion Straggler #17 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #18 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #19 | HP: 276/600 (-324) | DMG: 207 | PARALYZED
Rain Minion Straggler #20 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[1, 1, 2, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1410/1410 | EN: 137/153 (-16) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

[NIGHT 0]

It finally came through.

"It... It's not my fault that some people look similar to each other..."

When she finally had the will to raise her sights, NIGHT's vision was overtaken by the darkness of the night sky above. DAY hadn't expected the sudden warble in her voice, frail and weak and pleading; that imitation deep-rooted feeling of inadequacy to rip away her frontal stoicism, shredding it apart and unraveling her physical form. Even as the entity holds on, hoping for a semblance of a response from her user, she could feel the presence of tears and the instinct to fight them back with the blinks of her eyes.

Was this what it was like to be present, to be human? It hurt, even as an artificial life form; was it supposed to hurt? For the construct to fully grasp the depths of being alive, that sentience, was the pain fully necessary, or was it simply a trick behind the shifting of the gears neath her systems?

Spoiler

ID: 166040 | BD: 14 (9, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #17.
25 + 1 = 26 DMG | 26 * 12 = 312 DMG

ID: 166039 | BD: 13 (8, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #18.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166038 | BD: 11 (6, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #19.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166037 | BD: 12 (7, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #20.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #17 | HP: -12/600 (-312) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #18 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #19 | HP: -24/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #20 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[3, 2, 3, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1410/1410 | EN: 122/153 (+1, -16) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

Loot:
ID: [166097] | LD: 23 (15, +8) | CD: 3 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Trinket (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Weapon (1)
ID: [166098] | LD: 15 (7, +8) | CD: 5 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Weapon (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Uncommon Consumable (1)
ID: [166099] | LD: 21 (13, +8) | CD: 5 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Consumable (2)
ID: [166100] | LD: 22 (14, +8) | CD: 7 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Consumable (2)

[NIGHT 0]

The feeling of disappointment came in fresh and stung just as hard. Her gaze traces the waves of the water, the entity noticing the weight of NIGHT's sights falling on her disgraced form. She tucks her ruined visage away behind her makeshift guard, hoping the moment would pass quicker than she perceives it. The Gemini hears a breath taken in—

"Then I'm supposed to just take it as a coincidence?"

What followed was a slight nod of the mournful, their eyes tearing off the lights on the water surface and pointed straight towards the edge of the lake. There, the scenery is murky and dark, and the lack of objects in focus helps DAY pass the time without running her systems with more calculations than she wants – prefers necessary.

She hears the shifting of cloth behind her, a grumble in added frustration. They remain at this stalemate for several long moments, during which their boat ceases its movement, tethered to a spot held still by Cardinal and the waves.

Spoiler

ID: 166044 | BD: 11 (6, +5) | MD: 1 (4, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #21.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #21 missed!

ID: 166043 | BD: 10 (5, +5) | MD: -1 (2, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #22.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #22 missed!

ID: 166042 | BD: 9 (4, +5) | MD: 3 (6, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #23.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #23 missed!

ID: 166041 | BD: 11 (6, +5) | MD: 1 (4, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #24.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #24 missed!

Rain Minion Straggler #21 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #22 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #23 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #24 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[1, 1, 1, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1410/1410 | EN: 107/153 (+1, -16) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

[NIGHT 0]

When she closes her eyes, it is in reflection of the wear on her face. At the edges of her sights she feels it, the strain from which one gains after secreting tears for so long. She reads through the lines and notes of her statistics while she can; specifically keeping an eye on her uptime, the numbers ticking by ever so slowly, so hesitantly. DAY watches them increment, bit by bit, trying to remain calm and composed for her counterpart's eventual recovery, that things would return back to the way they once were.

Her patience is rewarded when NIGHT finally speaks once again. "I hate it," she says; words that DAY processes and understands that she doesn't want to hear them, not when they were said by her original. "I hate it so much here, you know. This game that you play, and that you look so much like her."

Spoiler

ID: 166048 | BD: 12 (7, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #21.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166047 | BD: 14 (9, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #22.
25 + 1 = 26 DMG | 26 * 12 = 312 DMG

ID: 166046 | BD: 10 (5, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #23.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166045 | BD: 8 (3, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #24.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #21 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #22 | HP: -12/600 (-312) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #23 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #24 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[2, 3, 2, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1410/1410 | EN: 91/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

Loot:
ID: [166101] | LD: 12 (4, +8) | CD: 2 | 6,300col, Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166102] | LD: 23 (15, +8) | CD: 1 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Trinket (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Weapon (1)
ID: [166103] | LD: 27 (19, +8) | CD: 10 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Intermediate Dungeon Map: Floor 22 (1)
ID: [166104] | LD: 23 (15, +8) | CD: 3 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Trinket (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Weapon (1)

[NIGHT 0]

"To further the point," she adds, and DAY cracks open her vision just to watch the woman rant off. Her sights were still set on the horizon, a passing lantern floating by brightening up her profile even more. "Someone else exists in here with the same damn look, same appearance. Coincidence or not, ...I seriously just don't get it."

The player swallows and shuts her eyes, her features scrunching up in a turmoiled look. DAY she understands what NIGHT means, wondering for a moment if her assigned traits were fair to either of them both. As the woman's breathing staggers, the entity lets her companion's thoughts sink in, vision falling to the fire set between them. Its serene light flickers nonchalantly, dancing with a vigor despite their heavy emotions, the little candle unaffected by it all.

NIGHT squirms, and the words in her throat throttle the moment they're given voice. "Damn it. Damn it all. It was a none issue for so long; so... why?"

Spoiler

ID: 166052 | BD: 13 (8, +5) | MD: -2 (1, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #25.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #25 missed!

ID: 166051 | BD: 9 (4, +5) | MD: 7 (10, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #26.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #26 attacks NIGHT!
207 + 2 = 209 DMG | 209 - 87 = 122 DMG

ID: 166050 | BD: 7 (2, +5) | MD: 3 (6, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #27.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #27 missed!

ID: 166049 | BD: 10 (5, +5) | MD: 6 (9, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #28.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #28 attacks NIGHT!
207 + 1 = 208 DMG | 208 - 87 = 121 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #25 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #26 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #27 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #28 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[1, 1, 1, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1167/1410 (-122-121) | EN: 75/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

[NIGHT 0]

The longer NIGHT stares out into the lake, the more DAY wonders, worries over her standing with the player. They both keep quiet for the while, the Gemini keeping vigil for their time away from the festival, counting the moments when she urges her response system to come up with something, and it fails her for words time and time again. Was it this difficult to communicate in the first place? Or was it the lack of comprehension from her systems, even after watching over their audience for so long, unable to pick up the pieces to form a semblance of language?

Perhaps this was the department that Cardinal was lacking in. The harsher moments, the honest, silent ones. Maybe, there wasn't a script to follow in the first place, because players and constructs alike tried to avoid these scenarios to begin with, these tough spots where neither party could find themselves to speak and lay bare the truth that was on their minds. DAY feels a pressing need to suggest an option, one that went against her initial directive, the decision that put her on the opposition to NIGHT in the first place. And though the system allows her to proceed with it, all signs point her to one single instruction:

Not here. Not now.

Spoiler

ID: 166056 | BD: 11 (6, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #25.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166055 | BD: 13 (8, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #26.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166054 | BD: 13 (8, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #27.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166053 | BD: 8 (3, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #28.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #25 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #26 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #27 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #28 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[2, 2, 2, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1237/1410 (+70) | EN: 59/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

Loot:
ID: [166105] | LD: 20 (12, +8) | CD: 6 | 6,300col, Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Trinket (1)
ID: [166106] | LD: 16 (8, +8) | CD: 11 | 6,930col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166107] | LD: 19 (11, +8) | CD: 1 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Consumable (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Trinket (1)
ID: [166108] | LD: 9 (1, +8) | CD: 3 | 3,780col, Tier 3 Materials (4), Tier 3 Unidentified Uncommon Consumable (1)

[NIGHT 0]

DAY admits that this isn't what she'd expected when she figured they would both need a time out. Two crestfallen figures splayed upon a small boat, stranded in a sea of emptiness, a handful of stars passing by to keep them company, watch the forlorn stragglers mourn their current reality. The shifting of wood that greets her ears next was just as unlikely to the entity, the Gemini raising her head, the image of NIGHT grappling an oar coming into view above her arms.

When their sights meet, she steals a cursory glance towards the player's inner feelings where the lantern's glow imprints a highlight on her eyes. The player is troubled, vexed as much as she is. A sign of accidental reassurance that DAY wasn't alone on the sentiment.

"Sorry." The oar comes free from her wrangling, the player offering it over to her companion. "Take us back to shore. I can do the necessary moping for us at home. ... No point in us being on this lake just to feel awful."

Spoiler

ID: 166060 | BD: 10 (5, +5) | MD: 0 (3, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #29.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #29 missed!

ID: 166059 | BD: 12 (7, +5) | MD: 7 (10, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #30.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #30 attacks NIGHT!
207 + 2 = 209 DMG | 209 - 87 = 122 DMG

ID: 166058 | BD: 15 (10, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #31.
25 + 2 = 27 DMG | 27 * 12 = 324 DMG

ID: 166057 | BD: 6 (1, +5) | MD: 1 (4, -3)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #32.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG
Rain Minion Straggler #32 missed!

Rain Minion Straggler #29 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #30 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #31 | HP: 276/600 (-324) | DMG: 207 | PARALYZED
Rain Minion Straggler #32 | HP: 300/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[1, 1, 2, 1] NIGHT | HP: 1185/1410 (+70, -122) | EN: 43/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

[NIGHT 0]

She complies. It's easier to sink back into the motions, The Gemini's physical form itching to move, almost as though an adrenaline has taken over her movements, ready to escape from the tension of their situation.

NIGHT stops her for a brief moment just as the oars drop into the depths below. "The long way back, if you will. Just bring us to the end of the lake."

A strange order, but nonetheless DAY fulfills it. With gentle strokes, they cross the rest of the midnight sky, docking by the edge of the water. It dawns on the entity just as NIGHT was disembarking that one of them would have to return by vessel voyage to the shore closer to town, on account of having to return the dinghy they'd borrowed. She relays it tentatively to the player.

NIGHT is distant in her response.

"You do it then. There's something I need to tend to."

Spoiler

ID: 166068 | BD: 10 (5, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #29.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166067 | BD: 11 (6, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #30.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

ID: 166066 | BD: 15 (10, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #31.
25 + 2 = 27 DMG | 27 * 12 = 324 DMG

ID: 166065 | BD: 7 (2, +5)
<<Calamity Disaster>> vs Rain Minion Straggler #32.
25 * 12 = 300 DMG

Rain Minion Straggler #29 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #30 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #31 | HP: -48/600 (-324) | DMG: 207
Rain Minion Straggler #32 | HP: 0/600 (-300) | DMG: 207

[2, 2, 4, 2] NIGHT | HP: 1255/1410 (+70) | EN: 27/153 (+1, -17) | DMG: 25 | MIT: 87 | ACC: 5 | EVA: 3 | BH: 70 | KEEN: 1 | PARALYZE: 1 | ABS. ACC | LD: 8 | PROSP: 3

Loot:
ID: [166109] | LD: 18 (10, +8) | CD: 6 | 6,300col, Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Consumable (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Rare Armor (1)
ID: [166110] | LD: 21 (13, +8) | CD: 4 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (1), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Weapon (1)
ID: [166111] | LD: 26 (18, +8) | CD: 4 | 6,300col, Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Consumable (2), Tier 3 Unidentified Perfect Armor (2)
ID: [166112] | LD: 26 (18, +8) | CD: 11 | 5,040col, Tier 3 Materials (2), Intermediate Dungeon Map: Floor 22 (1)

[NIGHT 0]

Though the parting hurts, DAY thinks it necessary for the time being, too. A quandary arises in her systems, wondering if the words she'd wanted to bring up were better off being left unsaid. She puts them to rest after a beat, focusing better on her preparations to sail again.

"I'll meet up with you on the other side, then."

The player shows no signs of reciprocation, but she knows better than to misjudge NIGHT's silence. Her hands are too busy pulling up the mask of Tsukuyomi to her face, the void of its eyes seeming to stare back at the entity. It is an eerie yet comforting notion, that blackness, and without words it tells DAY that her aide would be present to reconvene with the entity on her own time.

'A little longer than you'd expect though,' the blade in the player's hand adds, the unfamiliar weapon forging itself out of light.

As NIGHT paces away into the dark, the Gemini returns back to the task of rowing herself towards the distant shore. It was only then she realizes that her lips had been pressed tightly closed, expression taut in an unnoticed concern.