[PP-F22] Where's Oji? (Nari-Laneth)

[Oji 0]

Date: July 29, 20XX
Location: Floor 22 - Astley's Abode
Time: 12:27 PM

The air was warm this time of year, as a slight breeze swayed the leaves and bushes on the twenty second floor, but the breeze was only a few degrees cooler than the slate, muggy air that surrounded a small wooden home located in the woods. Any onlooker would see that the windows were burst open, curtains swaying in the breeze and the front and back doors ajar, in an ill attempt to diffuse the humid temperature within the cottage.

The owner of the lodge was down close in the stream that was only a few steps away from the lodge's front door, green swim shorts clad and a drenched white t-shirt, sitting in the middle of the river and playing with a small brown-furred creature. It seemed like a normal, average day for anyone doing their best to enjoy their time in this death game.

And they would be right to think so!

Oji had taken a lot of time off, after he realized how much work it would take to make it to the frontlines. Even though he was already on the third tier for items, he had found himself exhausted and feeling burnt out. He had met some great people in that time. Koga, Nari, and Jomei to name a few, but he hadn't kept in contact with them, or anyone really. He had kept to himself and only left his cabin to gather some food. Soup was always in tow, running around the trails in search of materials to make his owner proud, and Oji would always pat his head, then throw the materials back when the creature wasn't looking, just to make sure he found something on their adventures.

Today was no different, after waking up and feeling immensely stuffy from the heat of the day, he opened the windows and doors, put on his shorts and went to enjoy the cool stream on yet another beautiful day.

@Nari-Lanreth

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari had come to a stop at the edge of the water, her eyes glancing in either direction as she tried to remember where she was. It had been a while since she'd been on the twenty-second, and she had quickly found herself lost throughout the woodlands. Mio had followed along behind her, thankfully content enough to be led, even though they had clearly lost their way. It was the one blessing that Nari had been given on this day, as far as she was concerned, and she knew better than to make any complaints about her current situation. Not that it stopped her.

"Next time, I send Onora to get her own materials and goods...I've no idea where we are, Mio..." The kitsune looked up at her, fanning out the nine-tails behind it in a manner that Nari had come to associate with a sort of shrugging - as if the creature were trying to say it had no idea either. Super helpful. And the map is useless...seeing as I've never been here before. She'd checked the map quickly, but found it mostly blank - a sign to her that her day was only going to get worse. "When in doubt...go left."

She turned and began walking in the direction, keeping to the edge of the waterway as she went. Beside her, the small kitsune trotting along happily, as if they were doing nothing more than going out for their regular, daily walks. For a single second, Nari envied the small critter - before remembering that it was as stuck here as she was. Mio has no choice but to follow me around. Poor guy...probably wishes he'd been found by someone with a better sense of direction...

She sighed heavily again, looking around as she continued. The river bent up ahead to the left - a sign that she took to mean it was going somewhere - but otherwise, she just found herself following along between the treeline and the waterway, with no sign of civilisation or other people in sight. I swear if I have to waste a teleport crystal on this, I'm going to give her an earful tonight... She knew that she wouldn't - not that it stopped her thinking it - but it brought a smile to her face as she turned the corner, spotting a form ahead in the water. Shit, is that...no, it's humanoid...bandits, maybe? Alone? Sitting in the water? That doesn't seem very...

She moved closed, quietly shifting back into the wood line a bit as she eyed up the individual in the water. She could see a small critter playing alongside it - a good indication that this was a player, rather than an NPC - confirmed only mere seconds later as she saw the glowing green above it's head. Something about the figure felt familiar, but Nari couldn't quite place her finger on it as she slowly stepped forwards, trying to remember where she'd seen the man before. When she was only a small collection of steps away, she called out, stepping away from the shade of the nearby trees and into the open area itself. "Hey there! I was hoping you could help me out, I'm a bit lost..."

---

 

  

Statblock

Spoiler notes [Theme] Nari-Lanreth | Lv. 32 | P. 49 | HP: 860/860 | EN: 100/100 | ACC: 5 | DMG: 21 | EVA: 3 | MIT: 78 | B.Healing [+47] | LD: 5 | Static: 40/24 Tier 4 | Tier 8 equipped Reaper's Charge [Scythe; Tier 4 Daemonic] Enhancement: Accuracy [3 Slots] Enhancement: Static [1 Slot]  Reaper's Aegis  [Light Armour; Tier 4 Perfect] Enhancement: Evasion [2 Slots] Enhancement: Mitigation [2 Slots] Twin-Fox Bracelet [Tier 4 Perfect Jewellery] Enhancement: Recovery [2 Slots] Enhancement: Evasion [1 Slot]   battle-ready inventory Teleport Crystal {3} Starter Healing Potions {4} | Heals 50 HP Divinity's Wait {4} | Tier 2; Perfect Potion | Mitigation III Divinity's Protection {4} | Tier 3; Perfect Potion | Overhealth III Cold Brew Coffee {3} | Tier 1; Perfect Potion | HP Recovery III Percephonius Pyratius {5} | Tier 4; Perfect Potion | Damage III Ketchup Chips {3} | Tier 4; Perfect Snacks| Probiotics III Siúil a Rún {2} | Tier 3; Perfect; Masterpiece Support Song | HP Recovery III [Mass] skills Spoiler Utility Skills Extended Weight Limit [Active: Passive. Effect: +2 additional Battle-Ready inventory slots.] Searching [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +1 LD per rank. +1 to Stealth Detection per rank.] [Rank 3 Searching Mod] Detect [Active: Passive. Effect: Grants +2 Stealth Detection. Grants +1 LD when searching for dungeons and labyrinths.] Quick Change [Active: Free Action. Effect: Allows the user to instantly equip, unequip, or swap any equipment in their battle-ready inventory.  All active and temporary buffs and conditions granted to the player by the unequipped item are immediately lost, unless the new item carries the same enhancement (e.g. Keen, Heavy Momentum, Risky, etc.).] Combat Skills Battle Healing [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: While in combat, recover 1% per rank of your maximum HP (rounded down) at the beginning of your turn.] Weapon Skills Polearm [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: +7 DMG] Dagger [Rank: 1. Active: Passive. Effect: +3 DMG] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Stamina [Active: Passive. Effect: Reduces EN of all attacks by 2.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] Precision [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 ACC.] [Rank 5 Weapon Addon] <<Weapon Type>> Focus [Active: Passive. Effect: Decreases minor critical threshold by 1. Also reduces DoT thresholds by 1. Players cannot use Focus and Ferocity at the same time for the same Weapon Type.] [Rank 5 Shift] TECH Specialist [Active: Passive. Effect: For TECH Sword Arts, +4 to multipliers, +3 to EN cost. No other Shifts may be taken.] Armour Skills Light Armour [Rank: 5. Active: Passive. Effect: 30 MIT. Mitigation is capped at 2 slots.] [Light Armour Mod] Meticulous [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 base Damage.] [Light Armour Add-on] Resolve [Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 Accuracy and +10 * Tier HP.] Active Extra Skills Concentration [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 5 turns. Effect: As a free action, gain Absolute Accuracy on your next attack. In the case Absolute Accuracy is already present, increase your Accuracy by 1 instead. Effect lasts until the start of next turn.] Meditation [Active: Post Action. Cooldown: 3 turns. Effect: Recover an additional (4 * Tier) energy.] Parry [Active: Post action. Energy cost: 9 EN Cooldown: 3 Turns. Effect: Apply the energy cost upon proc, not activation. Reduces the final damage of the next successful attack against you by 50% (rounded down) and negates stun/paralysis effects of that attack. If hit by multiple attacks, only apply parry to the first attack against you. Parry lasts for three turns. Cooldown starts when the player activates the Skill. If the player is hit when using Parry, the cooldown is reset to 3 turns.] [Parry Mod] Vengeful Riposte [Active: Passive. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: A successful Parry also returns 50% (rounded down) of the raw damage that would be dealt to you back to your opponent. The reflected damage can be mitigated by the opponent.] Survival [Active: Passive. Effect: Increases Healing effects received from all sources by 10%. Grants immunity to all damage dealing environmental attacks/effects.] Inactive Extra Skills  Assault Mode [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, switch your accuracy and evasion values until the start of your next turn.] Brawler [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Increase mitigation by 10*tier until the start of your next turn.] Frozen Hide [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 4 Turns. Effect: As a free action, apply one slot of Frost Aura and one slot of Frost Thorns equal to your tier to yourself until the start of your next turn.] Lady Luck [Active: Free Action. Energy Cost: 5 EN. Cooldown: 5 Turns. Effect: Replace a single enhancement slot on your weapon with a random enhancement using the Appraiser’s Identification roll until the start of your next turn.] Combat Mastery Damage [Rank: 3. Active: Passive. Effect: Gain +1 * Tier additional Base Damage per rank. Ranks of this Skill obey Damage enhancement caps.] Familiar Skills Protector Familiar [Active: Free Action. Cooldown: 3 Posts; Effect: The next time you would take damage, your familiar rushes to your aid, reducing the final damage by 10%.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== sword arts Spoiler [x12] ST-I (12 10 EN) | A single-target sword art. [x15] ST-II (15 13 EN) | A powerful single-target sword art. Only available for use when ST-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if ST-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x20] ST-B (20 18 EN) | A devastating single-target sword art. Can only be used if the sword art used the previous turn is not ST-B and had rolled a natural CD9+. When performing an AoE attack, use only the first roll. [x11] AOE-I (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. [x14] AOE-II (14 12 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE | A powerful sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. Only available for use when AOE-I was used and successfully struck an enemy the previous turn or if AOE-II had been used and had missed the previous turn. [x16] TECH-A (16 14 EN) | STUN | A single-target sword art that stuns an enemy. [x16] TECH-B (15 13 EN) | DELAY | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Delay] on the enemy. [Delay] is a status condition that reduces the enemy’s ACC by 1 for one turn. [x16] TECH-C (15 13 EN) | COUNTER | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, places [Counter] around the player. [Counter] reduces the final damage taken by its user by 25% (rounded down) for one turn. [x16] TECH-D (15 13 EN) | SHATTER | A single-target sword art that applies [Shatter] to an enemy for 3 turns. [Shatter] is a debuff that can stack up to a cap of 3. Each stack of [Shatter] removes -20 MIT from an enemy, down to 0, if it has MIT. [x12] TECH-F (11 9 + 2 * targets EN) | AOE STUN | A sword art that strikes multiple targets at once. All struck targets are stunned for one turn. [x16] TECH-G (15 13 EN) | BURN | A single-target sword art that, on a successful strike, applies [Burn] on the enemy. [Burn] is a DoT ailment that deals [14 * Player Tier] unmitigated Burn damage for 2 turns. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs Spoiler Estate Buffs Bedroom [-1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat.] Living Room [Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.] Storage Closet [+1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot] Basement [Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll.] Extended Workshop [+2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt & +1 crafting attempt per day.] Greenhouse [+2 Gathering EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to gathering attempts.] data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

[Oji 0]

Oji had grown accustomed to the sights and sounds of the 22nd floor, from the breezes whipping through the trees, to the trickling of the stream and dripping of water in the caves, to the rustling of bushes from small creatures or the occasional bear- one specific one that tended to lounge around the area of his home, which he had decided to call Kuma- to the point of where they did not bother him. But as he was playing and and enjoying his time with Soup, something seemed... off. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something sounded different today. But he brushed it off pretty easily. Maybe Kuma was nearby scrounging for honey, he had done it before and maybe his sweet tooth was bothering him to much to ignore.

He continued to obliviously lounge in the river, the cool water feeling especially refreshing on a day like today, when a voice came from nowhere. With a loud "Hey there!" He let out a very feminine scream, and threw soup onto the riverside. He whipped his head around to see where the voice was coming from, and it was a young player asking for directions. But something about them seemed familiar...

"Uh, sorry, you startled me." He spoke, trying to make his voice sound a tad deeper than normal out of embarrassment. "I can probably help you out. What brings you to the 22nd floor?"

Soup, who was mindlessly relaxing and enjoying his time in the river, was immediately rejected to the riverside in a panic, letting a loud squeaking sound as he traveled a few feet to dry land. He chittered and shook his head, then looked about to see a familiar face. He recognized the giant lady, but he didn't recognize the creature beside her. He came over chittering excitedly and ran around, making his presence well known. 

Oji looked down and laughed. "Well, it seems Soup is delighted for the company."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The man had released a scream as Nari had spoken, clearly taking him by surprise, and in turn had flung his companion into the water. The small ferret like creature had sprung up, however, as if nothing more than a momentary disturbance had occurred. Nari watched as it came bounding towards Mio, the kitsune flicking its three inner tails while staring at the smaller creature, a sign that Nari had come to consider as it being unsure. She focused on the kitsune for a few seconds longer than she had intended, before realising that the man in the river had continued speaking.

"A friend sent me to collect some pieces for her, and...well, I've managed to lose my direction and way. Apparently this is an area I've never mapped out before, somehow, and aside from making a huge detour back the way I came, I'm not entirely certain how to get...back." She glanced down at Mio and the small ferret, the chittering seemingly happy as far as Nari could tell. "Ah...you'd think he'd be happy with your companionship."

She wasn't entirely sure what else to say, beyond that. However, as she stared at the man, waiting for an answer, a sudden image flashed through her mind - a familiar scene, of an older man and the small, similar looking ferret. Practicing training, working to overcome the challenges of creating a bond with their companions, and talking in ways that Nari rarely did these days. "Oji?"

[Oji 0]

Oji listened and stroked his small beard with his hand. "I see, I see." He said, opening his menu and taking a peek at the map to survey the surrounding area. He had most of the map done, other than the far outskirts but he didn't have any interest in them. "Perhaps you needed to go to the place called 'Reclaimed Sentinel' or maybe 'Natalie's Reprieve,' both of which are pretty close to here." He closed his menu and scratched the back of his head. "But your friend didn't seem very lenient on telling you what you're looking for from what i'm hearing." He chuckled, mostly to himself.

Soup came closer to the kitsune with a fervent of energy and excitement. He came and sniffed gently towards the two new guests, making sure to not get hurt. Oji left the creature to his devices, knowing that he would be fine and would come sprinting back if something were to go awry. He turned his back "Let me go get into a change of-"

"Oji?"

Oji turned around with a hint of confusion. "What? No I don't think I'm you're uncle... Oh, oh wait right." He laughed in his confusion. "That's what my... what did they call it, username? That's what my username is yeah." He smiled. "Sorry, it's been awhile since I was called that, nearly forgot that's what it was." He scanned his memory for this young woman, but only the look in her eyes was familiar, but it was filled with far more pain. But he couldn't remember who she was.

"I'm sorry, but if we knew each other awhile ago, I can't really remember. Days have sort of blended together. I can't seem to keep track of how long my little vacation has been."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The man had been in the middle of explaining areas that Nari might've been heading towards - one which stuck out, and she had been about to comment on, before her own outburst of recognition. The comment had seemed to shock the other man, and it took him a few moments of stumbling over his words before he had confirmed what Nari had already been suspecting. 

She grinned as he attempted to pinpoint her own identity, the blank stare struggling as he came up empty. After a time, he seemed to give up, admitting that he didn't recognise her and apologising slightly. Nari shook her head before responding, her hair shaking behind her in the ponytail she always kept it in. "No need to apologise, I'm not surprised you don't recognise me. The last time we were together, I was a darker purple in colour, at least for my hair, and had a small white fox alongside me...I still remember helping to train Soup there, to stop nibbling and being a pain. Is he still as energetic as he used to be?"

She paused for a moment to stare at the small ferret, smiling at the creature even as she watched it. She wondered what the two had been up to all this time, but knew that everyone had their own reasoning for going silent. I'm just happy to see he's alive and doing well...he actually looks like he's enjoying his life.

"It's been some time, Oji. I'm glad to see you're well." Nari gave a small cursty as she spoke, before grinning widely at her own words. "Although, I doubt a game like this would knock down someone like you, would it?"

[Oji 0]

Oji's mind raced, trying to do his best to remember the connection of their souls. They had met no doubt, she seemed to regard him highly. But the more he racked his brain together, the more a headache formed. He mentally gave up as he was sure it would come back to him.

The woman said there was no need to apologize, and she explained the last time they had seen one another, and her hair was purple-

It hit him like a truck, and her name spilled out his mouth with a giant smile. "My, how you've grown up Nari." He said happily. Soup came back to Oji and crawled up his shoulder, and nuzzled against his neck. Oji scratched beneath his chin and gave him a few moments of his attention as she commented on how it would be difficult to keep him down, and he let out a small laugh. Was he really that strong in this moment?

"Well, I suppose it would be harder to keep me down since I'm so good a running." He jested, and motioned towards his home. "Would you like to come in? I'm sure you've been traveling and I just finished a pie recently." He chuckled. "By no means is it good, I don't have the cooking profession. But it would go well with the lemonade I got." Soup chittered excitedly at the mention of food, and leapt down to the ground and started to skitter towards the little lodge.

Edited August 1, 2023 by Oji

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

The moment his face seemed to change, Nari knew that the man had made the connection. She could see the thoughts racing, the man trying to figure out who she was, right before his mind seemed to fill in the gaps. She glanced towards the home as he mentioned it, before offering her a plate at the table for some pie. There was no hesitation in her response as she gave another small curtsy - a habit she had picked up lately, thanks to her roommate. 

"I would be honoured and delighted to enjoy a dessert with you, as well as some time to catch up." She took a step towards the aforementioned home, glancing over at Oji as she did so. There was a softness to her tone as she moved, and a slight smile that reached her eyes, as if she were relieved in some way. "It's...nice to see familiar faces, lately. It had been a bit too quiet, for some time...if that makes sense."

She wasn't entirely sure how else to describe the lull that had come over Aincrad. The way in which faces had slowly disappeared, taken away into their daily tasks, or whatever else had occupied their time. Nari had missed some of the connections she'd made, although she understood that many had things they needed to take care of. Still, it was pleasing to see some beginning to exit their hibernations.

"I'm not sure if you've heard, or not, but it looks like we'll be heading for the twenty-seventh floor's boss room soon...so, it'll be nice to reconnect a bit with some people who I haven't seen in...well, far too long."

[Oji 0]

Nari did a curtsey and agreed to come in, to the delight of Oji. It had been some time since he had the company. He always talked to passerby who were looking for directions or quest locations, but nobody had entered his abode for a visit of any kind in what seemed like forever. "Right this way then." he lead the way to the small cottage, the water wheel going strong as the windows were still open, showing the quaint inside interior.

There was not a lot of furnishings as this home only held the old man and his familiar. Most were in the rustic, wooden style, glossed over and finished with rich dark hues. A small table held two chairs in the corner next to the kitchen, and the living room held a small sofa with a long coffee table in front and a floor lamp to either side. All connected in one single floor with a staircase headed to the second story, where the bathroom and bedrooms would be found. A door connected to the kitchen lead out to his artisan shop, which has been closed for some time, but was still taken care of and kept tidy, not a spec of dust to be found on any of the jewelry that he had made.

"Come in and take a seat." He said, motioning to the small table. He went to the cabinets of the kitchen and grabbed a few glasses. He brought them t the table, then turned his attention to the window next to the door, where the pie had been kept to cool. He grabbed a few pot holders to grab the warm pie, and set it on the table as Nari spoke about the new floor boss.

"I had heard some whispers from passing players that it was coming soon, but if you're telling me now it can only be a few days away." He put one of the pot holders onto the bottom of the pan so it did not burn or stain his table. "It is very nice to see old faces, I do have to agree. But it seems to me that you're the one that's been growing this past while, I hardly recognized you." He went over to the fridge and freezer, pulling out an ice cube tray and a pitcher of lemonade, bringing both to the table. 

"The ice is for in case you want it. Some people don't like ice in their drinks so I do my best to accommodate." He chuckled. Finally, he grabbed a few plates, two forks and a pie cutter to the table, setting them accordingly. Soup licked his lips in anticipation as Oji unveiled the blueberry pie, a small bit of steam rising off the lid as the smell wafted through the home. "Mmm, nothing beats a nice blueberry pie." He said to himself aloud. He finally sat at the table and rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Help yourself, and please tell me what you've been up to."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari took a small look around the living area as they entered, noticing that it appeared ever so slightly different from the last time she'd had a glimpse - not that she'd been inside and capable of seeing exactly what it looked like. She had to admit, however, that it appeared homely. In a way, it felt like an extension of Oji himself, as if the man had displayed his very soul and being into the home. I wonder if the same is true for all of our homes...and if so, what does ours say about Onora and I? She wasn't entirely sure, but she knew that one of the two of them would be considered a neater individual, with their meticulously organised room. 

"It's lovely in here, Oji. It really makes it feel...almost like home." Nari bit her lower lip as she watched the man getting out the drinks and pie, biting the need to offer to help. She wasn't sure how the man would take it, knowing that some individuals were very adamant about the rules of guests and their roles. Still, she waited until he had settled everything and seated himself, before pouring each of them a glass of lemonade. She grasped a pair of ice cubes and carefully slipped them into her lemonade - making sure as to not let the fluid splash. "Me? I don't feel like I've changed...well, okay, maybe a bit."

She gave a soft flick of her hair, smiling slightly as she considered the difference in appearance. She'd made the change relatively recently, feeling as if she needed a break from her past - and at the advice of another. It had been a drastic change, but Nari couldn't say that she was displeased with the outcome - especially with how many people weren't recognising her.

"That being said," She continued after a single second's pause. "I guess there is always growth in some way, or form, as the years go on...or, at least, one would like to think so. I doubt that you have remained stagnant, even if you're just playing in the river. You and Soup look like you've bonded even more. I still remember when Yuki and I-"

She'd stopped suddenly, remembering the small white fox that had once sat at her side. She felt, naturally, her hand reach out for Mio, taking comfort in the feel of the kitsune's fur. The creature seemed to understand the need, pushing in closer to Nari for a few seconds as she tried to compose herself. She wasn't sure whether the pain had crossed her face or not, but she tried to continue onwards as best as she could.

"...but yeah, the path to the bosses room has been found, and a bunch of us will be...well, we'll be trying our luck against it. If we're successful, well, there'll be a new floor to explore and learn about. And one step closer to going home."

[Oji 0]

Oji smiled as Nari seemed to enjoy the home, and took a seat with her familiar. She helped herself to some lemonade and Oji took to cutting the blueberry pie, giving himself a slice, then giving another to Soup, setting the place on the ground and the familiar digging into the Sweet purple delight. He then took some ice cubes into his glass, then poured the cool yellow liquid into his own glass.

"I assure you, you've changed. You walk with your chin higher to the sky." he said with a smile. "Confidence looks good on you." He took his fork and dug into his pie as Nari spoke, and he nodded a bit. "Sure, my levels raised a tad since we last chatted, but that would be about it." He drank some lemonade and let out an audible "ahhhh" as the refreshing liquid melded with the sweet treat.

"It's hard to believe we're this close to unlocking yet another level, with more quests and possibly more mysteries. You never know, maybe we find a hidden passage to get to the 100th floor here." He laughed. "But, you will all have my thoughts and prayers in hopes that you succeed. If I remember correctly, this will be your first Floor Boss, you'll have to come tell me what it was like when all is said and done." He spoke confidently

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

Nari smiled slightly at the mention of newfound courage and confidence. She felt anything but confident, in her life, but she appreciated the thought regardless, knowing better than to argue the compliment. She listened as Oji explained his own stagnant position - the positive commentary hiding a negative review even as he spoke the words - causing her to shake her head in response. "Levels aren't everything. They may provide us with more skills, more power, but...I don't think they make us develop as a person in any way. Only time, and experience can do that. Sure, you can grind yourself into higher levels until such time as you're dead, but that won't make you a better person if you leave a trail of corpses in your path with no remorse. I think, in your case, you've grown in ways that some of us wish we were able to..."

She glanced over the house, the way in which it felt so welcoming. She thought she understood, to a degree, the way in which Oji had found a new home - even if temporary - in this world. Accepting, if not resigned to the fact, that they would be here for a time - which meant that maybe, just maybe, they could live a life here to some degree. It may not have been an ideology that others shared, but Nari had respect for those who were willing to accept their fates and try to continue living as best as possible.

"It would be nice to find a secret pathway to floor one hundred, wouldn't it?" She laughed at the idea - enjoying the thought, rather than trying to belittle the man. Still, she knew that there would be concerns about such shortcuts. "As nice as it would be to get there faster...I would worry about whether we were ready for it or not, considering that level one hundred must be a lot more dangerous...sometimes the slower road is the safer path, the way to find oneself alive for a time longer than the moment you gain."

She wasn't sure if she'd remembered the quote correctly, but she felt like it was somewhat on point. Or, at least she hoped it was. Either way, she figured the older man would understand her sentiment. 

[Oji 0]

Oji was caught in his small, negative mindset that he was doing his best to keep beneath the surface, or at least that's how he felt. She corrected him with the sentiment, 'levels aren't everything' and deep down he knew she was right in that. He had a home, a thing that some players strive to have to make themselves stronger. And sure, when he bought the house he added the rooms he thought he would benefit the most from, but he mainly wanted to have a good home, he did what he felt was his in his own right, something that screamed "Oji's Home." And he was pretty sure he had lived up to that.

"Okay, you have me there Miss Nari, I can't argue." He spoke with the hint of a smile. He took a few bites of the pie as Soup cleaned up his plate well, and curled up onto Oji's lap with a full belly and ready for nap time. Oji pet the small sable's head and nodded in agreement. "I do have to agree, all jokes aside. If we did somehow find a pathway there, or to skip any sort of floor, I'm sure the level cap wouldn't change and we'd be stuck at whatever the max level is while the floor 100 boss would be strong, way too strong."

After a cool sip of lemonade, he relaxed in his chair a tad more, enjoying this moment. "I don't remember if I said, and maybe my old age is catching up to me." He chuckled at that part. "But I'm glad you decided to come relax. It's been far too long since I've had company of any sort in my home." His smile faltered a bit. "It gets lonely sometimes, and Soup is great company, please don't misunderstand." He was mainly speaking to his familiar, who only squeaked quietly at the remark. "But I don't, really do the whole 'socialize' well. It's just easier to stay here and talk to the fisherman computer people."

"It's nice to have a friend to joke with."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She wasn't surprised by Oji's reactions - the way he seemed taken aback as Nari appeared to find the true depressive state he was, admittedly, hiding relatively well. She'd only managed to notice it due to her own history, her own behaviours and actions. Experience is a kindred spirit, it gives us insight, understanding...and horrors beyond belief. Still, she wasn't surprised at all when the man went on to speak about the loneliness to be found in the game - the way in which socialisation was difficult, and how speaking to computer programs was, in many ways, easier.

"I understand that sentiment all too well. I...you'll not believe this most likely, but...I used to be an absolute social mess. I still remember the first time I engaged with anything close to a party - it was at Koga's Christmas event, and well...let's just say if people hadn't already been well into the celebrations, I would've been the entertainment. And not in a good way." She flashed a smile at the older man, before continuing her commentary. "But loneliness is a dangerous thing, and I've spent...a lot of time with it. Sometimes, it's not a matter of having many people to interact with, but the right people. I'm luck enough to have someone to spend time with, but...if you're ever feeling lonely, just come visit us."

She pulled up her menu, flicking through a few options before sending the map point of her house on the twenty-seventh floor to the other man. "It's a small walk, but it's not dangerous to get there. And if you're ever worried, I can always be reached by message, and can come find you - wherever you may be."

[Oji 0]

Oji pet Soup for comfort, and the creature enjoyed it quite a bit, turning over and letting him pet and scratch his belly in a sleep-like state. Nari spoke of her own experiences with the loneliness that follows a game like this, the people that usually game are ones who aren't the best at communication. Oji was a bit of an exception with how he got caught in this game, but if this had only been a game, he more than likely would have played on and off. There was a lot to enjoy about this on the surface, but it becoming a death game ruined the glamour a game like this could have held.

Oji frowned to himself. He wondered how the store was doing at home. Was it still up and running? Did his family help take care of it in his absence? Questions he wouldn't know the answer to until they got out. Nari sent him something, a waypoint that stuck on his map, just labelled 'Nari's Home.' and a small smile formed. He was glad she had a place as well.

"I may just have to take you up on that offer." And his eyes flicked to Nari, a mischievous hue about them. "And you said 'our' home. Is there something you have told Mr. Oji?" He jested, a sly smile on his lips. "If someone is dating or even married to you, I think I need to know this vital information."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She'd opened her mouth to respond almost immediately to his jesting question, before stopping herself. It wasn't that she had any hesitations with sharing the information, but she'd also come to realise that sometimes taking time to consider the response was worthwhile. She closed her mouth and nodded slowly, giving her mind a moment to think before she actually gave her response aloud. "Actually, yes...a woman that I met in here, a while ago. You could say we've been friends for a while, although maybe not as close as we are now...it's definitely something that simply, developed over time. If that makes any sense."

She took a sip of her lemonade, giving herself another moment to consider her words, before adding to her original statement. "Ah...her name is Onora. Or, at least, her name here is Onora. She is...rather lovely, albeit a bit overprotective. She makes sure to take care of me, and also makes sure I take care of myself."

She let the words hang on the air, feeling as if that explained things more than well enough. She knew that sometimes it was a matter of seeing and engaging, rather than simply hearing about, that made things clearer. She hoped that one day, she'd be able to introduce the blonde to Oji, but figured it wouldn't be this day. A sudden realisation crossed her mind as she thought about the blonde, and she found herself glancing at the time - a reaction that she figured was probably less appropriate than she had meant it to be.

"She was actually the one who sent me on this errand to begin with, believe it or not...I'm surprised she hasn't messaged me yet to see where I'm at." She gave a small grin at her own attempt at humour, before leaning back into her chair a bit more - trying to show herself relaxing, and not the sudden anxiousness that she had just felt. "I guess that means she's not worried, yet."

[Oji 0]

Oji smiled as he listened to Nari speak about their person, and he could see the care and compassion in her eyes. This person meant a lot to Nari, that he could tell. But he wasn't going to try and butt in on what their relationship was, more than light teasing at least. He nodded as he listened, taking mental notes to ask about this woman at a later date, but he felt now wasn't the right time.

"I'm glad you've found someone, truly." the honesty of his words ringing through the small abode. "I only pray one day I can get as lucky, but I'm sure any woman here would much rather go for a young adventurer than an old croak like me." He jested, and laughed. He looked at the time on his watch and nodded. "Yes, it has been awhile. I hope I haven't kept you too long, but this has been a very nice visit." As he set Soup into his nearby bed, letting the small creature curl up and drift into sleep in his cushioned safe place. "But if you need to leave, I wouldn't be offended in any way."

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She'd started to rise from her chair at Oji's final words, before pausing midway and biting her lip. She glanced at the older gentleman, suddenly realising that he hadn't so much dismissed her, as offered her the chance of leaving. Her eyes hesitated on the man for a few moments, wondering if she were being rude with her considerations, but also knowing that Onora had been waiting for her for...well, some time now.

"I want to thank you for taking the time to sit and listen to me, Oji. It's...well, it's nice to see you again, and to spend time together. I feel rude for doing this, but Onora has been waiting for my return, and I fear that waiting much longer will cause...well, some concerns." She stood fully and placed a hand upon the back of the chair before smiling at the older man. "I do hope that you'll come visit us one of these days, and perhaps we can have a more...extended time together, if that would please you?"

She gave one nod before heading towards the door, Mio trotting alongside her as she'd moved away from the table. She stopped in the doorway for a single second, looking back and saying her final goodbye. "Don't ever be afraid to reach out to me, or anyone else, if you're feeling lonely. This game has already taken so much from us, I would be horrified to see it take anything more...and it's nice to hear from old friends, especially those who are close and dear at heart."

[Oji 0]

Oji heard her rise from behind him, and he smiled in remembrance. He knew the feeling of not wanting to keep someone waiting. He went through the same thing with his brother when he had started dating his wife, and at the time he found it silly, and maybe obnoxious. But now he understood the reasoning, and he felt no ill feeling as she arose to leave. "It was very nice to see you as well Nari, and to see that you've done nothing but grow." He said with a smile. He came over and picked up the plates and silverware, placing them in the sink to clean a little later. "And I will probably take you up on that offer, how could I not when I have a chance to meet your person?"

As she stopped in the doorway, he stood and smiled as she gave a few final words of their chance meeting. He held a smile, but he felt tears forming. He didn't know that he needed to hear those words, but at this moment hearing that from a friend was something his soul needed. He could only nod and wave at her, as he didn't want her to see him cry. There were times and places for that, and she had somewhere she needed to be, and his tears may make her feel guilty over nothing. They were happy tears forming, and nothing but.

After she left, he turned and wiped a tear away, a large smile on his face. And he decided that today was really a good day after all.

[Nari-Lanreth 0]

She'd caught the sight of the single tear rolling down Oji's face before she had turned away. It had torn at her in a way that she wasn't yet ready to admit to, nor face, and she found herself wanting to do nothing more than simply get away while she still could. She knew the man must be lonely - she could only imagine how she'd feel living in this world with no one else around, left to one's own muses throughout the never ending days that seemed to both flow into one another, and yet never carry onwards. 

"I'll come back, soon. For another tea, and to make sure that you're..." She didn't finish the words, not aloud. She knew that she couldn't voice the possibility, lest it become a reality. A reality that she wasn't capable of facing. Not now, not ever again. A soft sigh escaped her as she forced herself to leave behind the small cabin and the older man who would be left behind, but not forgotten. She made a promise to herself, even as she walked away, a promise that she would return to Oji's place once more, once she had settled the few things that need to be done. A promise that she would return and take some time to spend with the man - if for no one's benefit than her own. She knew that she couldn't leave him alone, not after everything that had occurred. 

---

Thread Summary

Nari-Lanreth
Word Count: 6,306
EXP: 3,528 [Total EXP] | 6,306 / 10 x 8 x 0.7 [Thread Progression]
Col: 200 col [Thread Progression]

Oji
Word Count: 6,306
EXP: 1,323 [Total EXP] | 6,306 / 10 x 3 x 0.7 [Thread Progression]
Col: 200 col [Thread Progression]