[F23-PP] Long Time Coming

[Eruda 0]

Sitting at the kitchen table, tapping a pen against her chin. The check list was getting a bit smaller for the big day, although there was still so much to do. Rasarei could be heard running around outside in the garden, growling at whatever decided to get close to her. A slight breeze could be felt from the open back door. The chimes from the HUD had been absent of sound, did anyone even notice that she sent messages yesterday. 

Placing the pen on the notepad, Eruda gets up as bare feet hit the cold white tiles of the kitchen floor. Pouring herself another cup of coffee, it was the fourth one. It was a bit weird not being at the guild hall in the morning. The constant chatter was noisy but welcoming, the silence was almost deafening. Adding cream and sugar, walking to a small box, clicking it on as music starts to fill the interior. "Better," saying with a deep sigh. Setting the cup upon the table as she brushes the back of her legs sitting. Scribbling something on the parchment, with a twist of her head then a shake. Crossing something out then writes something else in its place. Eyes catching the band on her finger the moment her hand stops. A smile appears on the corner of her lips. 

Clearing her throat, rubbing her face with both hands now. After a moment, rising from the white oak chair. Patter through the halls, opening the messages. Sending a quick message to Raidou:

"I have heard nothing back from anyone, it's a bit weird. Do you know of a Tailor that I can get a dress made? It's okay if you can't join, I can bring someone else... maybe... I don't know kinda freaking out here..."

Sending the message, Eruda begins to get ready for the day. Raidou was gone before she had woke, it was to be expected though. There was a lot to do and Eruda knew that it was going to take more than one day to do it all. It really kinda bothered her that there were no replies yet. Were they just in complete shock that they forgot how to type... Brushing through her wet hair in from of the mirror as her mind races with thoughts that were most likely nothing. Pulling a short brown dress over her head, something new that she had picked up yesterday. Tying the string up around her neck. Pacing down the stairs with almost a skip, finishing the rest of her coffee with a rinse of hot water.

Eruda | HP: 940/940 | EN: 106/106 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 179 | BH: 51 | LD: 4 | BRN: 56 | BRN IMMUNE | FL. AURA: 16 | FL. THRN: 8 | REC: 8 | TAUNT | THRNS: 72

Spoiler

Eruda, Unbridalled Fury
Level: 33
Paragon Level: 56
HP: 940/940
EN: 106/106

Stats:
Damage: 8
Mitigation: 179
Battle Healing: 51
Loot Dice: 4
BRN: 56
BRN IMMUNE
FL. AURA: 16
FL. THRN: 8
REC: 8
TAUNT
THRNS: 72

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Consuming Pyre - Surt T4: (Burn 2, Taunt)
Armor: Reinforced Plate - Lily T4 Demonic: Flame Aura 2, Flameproof, Recovery 1
Misc: Stalwart Defender T4 Demonic: (Thorns 2, Recovery 1, Flame Thorns 1)

Custom Skill:

Skills:
Curved Sword R5
Heavy Armor R5
Battle Healing R5
Fighting Spirit
Howl
Searching R4

Active Mods:
Night Vision
Tracking

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Iron Skin
Focus
Rampart
Stamina

Active Extra Skills:
Block R5
Concentration
Survival

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:
Deep Guilty Greasy Burger: Gungir's Shard [202715b] 3 Mitigation, T4 (Feast)  x

Housing Buffs:
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:

Wedding Ring:

 

[Raidou 1]

The soft crunch of snow underfoot, a pleasant conversation had finally come to a close. With it, a few small bottles of caramel apple cider for a future gift. A ping on his HUD draws his attention. The footfalls stop and with a whisk of his hand from right to left sees the familiar menu opened. The tiny flashing blue icon denoting a message received and with a tap of his index it expands into a much larger window. Eyes scan the contents of the message, it seems as though Eruda was starting to get a little stir crazy. Understandable given they were always on the move up until now, and perhaps Raidou's constant momentum was rubbing off on the girl.

A hot breath from him sees a small cloud as he begins his reply back:

From: Raidou
To: Eruda

I'll be back shortly, just running a few errands. To be honest, they are either in disbelief or are freaking out like you are. I have a few ideas, but i think the best and easiest is there in Aradennia.

With another sound, the message vanished to seek its recipient and Raidou's footfalls began again. Echoing the numerous times he'd been on floor 4, yet this time it was with a much more pleasant atmosphere and goal in mind. A short jaunt into Snowfrost, he carries himself up onto the warp pad and prepares to make his escape.

<<Assist System Engaged>>
[Assisting] Eruda (+5% Experience Bonus)

Current Level | 33
Current Tier | 4
Current Paragon | 56
True Tier | 13

Old Block:
Raidou | HP: 1040/1040 | EN: 142/142 | DMG: 11 | MIT: 117 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 2 | BH: 57 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | REC: 8 | TAUNT | V.D.: 114 | V.O.: 171

New Block:
Raidou | HP: 880/880 | EN: 126/126 | DMG: 11 | MIT: 117 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 2 | BH: 48 | LD: 6 | BLGT: 32 | REC: 8 | TAUNT | V.D.: 97 | V.O.: 145

Spoiler

Raidou, Firm Anima Vanguard Captain
Level: 33
Paragon Level: 95
HP: 1040/1040
EN: 142/142

Stats:
Damage: 11
Mitigation: 117
Evasion: 4
Accuracy: 2
Battle Healing: 57
Loot Dice: 6
BLGT: 32
REC: 8
TAUNT
V.D.: 114
V.O.: 171

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Ebon Star - Vanguard Revenant [T4/Demonic/Straight Sword]: V.O 2, Taunt, Blight 1
Armor: Red Wanderer's Resolve - Sympathy [T1/Demonic/Cloth] 2 Evasion, 2 Vampiric Defensive
Misc: Vision of Wisdom - Whisper [T4/Demonic/Trinket] Evasion 1, Recovery 2, Accuracy 1

Custom Skill:
Ill Omen in Red - Ignore Mitigation Slot Restriction on Cloth Armor

Custom Sword Art:
[x1] Grand Mass Parry (2 EN) | COUNTER | MENACE 2 | BREAK | EXPOSE | A single-target sword art that can be used at any time. On a successful strike this sword art generates 1 additional hatred & applies [BREAK]/[EXPOSE] on the enemy. If [Parry] is equipped, and it is off cooldown, it is activated automatically with a successful connection of this sword art.

Skills:
Straight Sword R5
Cloth Armor R5
Battle Healing R5
Howl
Searching R5
Fighting Spirit
Energist
Charge
Quick Change

Active Mods:
Detect
Athletics
Vengeful Riposte
Tracking
Justified Riposte

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Nimble
Ferocity
Precision
Focused Howl
Stamina
Reveal

Active Extra Skills:
Parry
Survival
Forgotten King’s Authority
Concentration

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystal x2
Resonance of the Grave [T1/Perfect (Instant)/Debuff/Incarceration] [184322] x1
Misperception Masterpiece/Instant (4): [178761] [200882][200893][200896] x4
Hypnosis 2 Masterpiece/Instant: 186609 x1
Lullaby 2 Masterpiece/Instant: 190648 x1

Housing Buffs:
Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor []: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:
Tanos Statue: +25 Mitigation for a thread.

 

[Eruda 0]

Scanning around the large fountain in the middle of their living room area for her shoes that she just bought. "I could have sworn I put them by the door..." Bending down to look underneath the dining room table, a chime and Eruda jumps hitting her head on the table. "Owch..." as she rubs her head. "Ras, did you steal my shoes again," seeing the fire wolf dart inside and up the stairs. Following the path up, getting halfway up before seeing the pup at the top of the staircase with her sandals in front of her. Eruda glares and runs the rest of the way up. Ras glances to Eruda and then to the bedroom them back at her master. "Hm, I must have been tired yesterday. Thank you..." putting one on while holding the banister so that backwards was not an option. 

Finally opening the message almost hoping that it was one of the girls, but it wasn't. Reading it, a look of confusing pierces her face. Not recalling there being a tailor in the town, thinking that maybe it wasn't in plain sight or behind another shop. That panic let go just a bit knowing that Raidou had a plan... He always did... Patting the wolf's head as she starts heading a beaten path out the front door and toward the village. Across the vine wrapped bridge, eyes try to spot her destination. Not spotting it, Eruda starts to wonder if she went the wrong way. Head turns back, scanning... "I think it's this way..." as she begins to walk where she thinks the place might be...

Finding herself back at the manor, making a glaring face... Opening the map in large form, knowing that she had been there before, retracing her steps backwards would have to be done. Walking across the bridge again following the path, Eruda eventually find civilization. A deep breath of relief, it took her longer than she wanted to find the place. Wondering up to the shops, finding the place that she bought the necklace. Smiling as eyes scan the other shops, seeing a clothing shop but it didn't seem to have the suitable wear that she was looking for. Maybe it would have to be crafted, if that was the case she was so out of her element. 

Opening her HUD sending a message to Rai:

"So, I am standing in the middle of town, but I am not seeing what I am after... Am I looking for a crafter? I feel helpless.

PS: The people with pointed ears are staring are me..."

There were eyes on her, did they think that she was going to steal something. Eruda walks to the Jeweler place and start glancing over the new stuff, being very amused by how well it was all crafted. 

[Raidou 1]

The sudden surge of blue light sees the center of Aradennia glow with a sharp sound. A few of the sun elves that are wandering the square are a little jarred, given the fact they hardly ever receive visitors and these last few days has the most this gate had been used in a while. "Have you been waiting long?" Raidou remarks with a smile, adjusting his gloves as his signature red robe wasn't on his back. The sudden ring of a message sees him pause, shifting the brown paper bag in his offhand to pop open his inventory screen. He begins to parse it before he tilts his head and looks past at his soon to be wife. "I see, well let me introduce you." The guy steps from the pedestal and begins to head down the thoroughfare as he pays a few acknowledging smiles and nods to the citizens. Every so often, he'll check back over his shoulder and make sure that Elda was keeping on his shadow. "It shouldn't be too awful far now..." Raidou attempts to reassure her, he'd been around the blocks of this city a few times. Which was a few times more then anyone else. The elves seemed to recognize him, yet Elda they did not which was expected. They'd eye her curiously and yet nervously as she was both new and terrifying.

Strange, that the man feared by man was accepted by a bunch of NPCs and it was man they were afraid of.

The walls of pure white marble gleaned in the sunlight, the soft due of angel's point seeming to paint the sky in a tapestry of rainbow colored hues. With it the silent outcry of running water as it danced down the crags and fell into a brilliant display of color. Small bridges seemed to break up sections of the city and allow one to see the cold yet clear blue water whisk harmlessly underfoot.

[Eruda 0]

Eyes light up as the very familiar flash of light appears. It seemed as though he was known here. "Not really," watching these folk, they didn't seem to mind that he wandered the street, even being welcomed by a few. It was a wonderful view. As she begins to keep pace with Raidou, foot fall across a bridge, one of the townsfolk walking past them, faster than normal, then trips. Eruda hears a screech, and a crash of basket as followed, the content within it. Stopping, head shifts back to see this green haired, short skinny female on her knees cleaning up the mess. Eruda moves to her quickly, grabbing a rolling apple and starts helping. Figuring that if they are ever to accept her in this village, she would have to be known. "Thank you," the pale skinned figure says nervously as Elda hands her a pear. "It was no trouble at all. I am Eruda," smiling as she holds out a hand to help the young one up. "Sakuda, I help manage a fruit stand in this area. You should come visit some time." Picking the basket back up with a smile mirroring hers. Running off toward the village now, Elda turns to find Rai waiting for her. 

Catching up to the man, he wasn't wearing is robe. It was something that she still needed to get used to seeing. "These people are really nice, I guess I just need to show them that I'm one of the good ones too," as they walk further into the village. Taking one of the many bridge paths, Raidou knew exactly where he was going. Thinking that maybe she would need to explore here more, it was a rather large place and if she wanted to not get lost again, this would need to happen. The small breeze smelled of salty sweetness, it was refreshing. Coming upon to a quaint little building, it looked nothing like her shop. Maybe she could learn a few things from this figure that Rai was going to introduce to her to. "So, who is that gift for," knowing that there were many the man had to pick up.

[Raidou 1]

Watching in silence as Elda made herself comfortable with one of the local fruit stall merchants, helping her collect what the elves had an absolute nightmare to obtain. Not much grew on Angel's point given the soil was so dried out, but it was shifting albeit slowly. Raidou and the Sun Elves had Nemo to thank for that one. As the woman would join back at his side, they'd walk with direction but the pace eluded to leisure. The wanderer scans the walls and windows, porches and the landscape with a serene yet long reaching gaze. "Sakuda works really hard, there is only a handful of living trees and its harder to keep them that way. Don't be afraid to give them a hand, they will give you strange glances at first. But give them time." Knowing full well his future wife would follow those footsteps of his with relative ease, given it was likely she was less a social invalid.

As Elda would take a curious glance at the paper bag he carried, his slight grin would build to a full blown smile. The thing rattles as he pokes a hand in, producing a singular bright gold skinned apple. "Well, a little drunk birdy told me that someone could make some wares with this. I intend to take these to Alexander of the white rabbit. A bundle of apples and a single corridor crystal. I think he deserves a moment away from the hustle and bustle of the white rabbit for a day. Doubt he's ever got offered a day off or vacation." He'd turn the thing back into the bag as the sounds of their footsteps found themselves to this quaint little building on the eastern side of Aradennia, composed with steps that lead to a slightly raised first floor. Just above a singular balcony overlooking the street, a pair of large bay windows that mirrored the very same make as the one in their new home. From that balcony hung a horizontal beam of silver, swaying on some chains below it, an elegantly crafted sheet of silver sporting a carved etching of a piece of folded fabric.

Raidou would be the first up, and as the threshold breaks a soft chime almost close to a convenience store doorway is heard. In response, a mop of silver hair turns up to find the new customer. "Welcome to Solar Sund..." The jarring break of the sentence confirms acknowledgement. "Raidou! What can I do for you, time to offload more weird spider silk?" Raidou offers a slight shake of his head before moving to the side and extending an outstretched hand toward Elda. "Not today, this is Elda and she was eager to see you today." His hand shifts as his gaze swaps places with it. "Elda, this is Esiyae and she should take pretty good care of you. She specializes in silks of all kinds." the sun elf woman offers a cautious and troubled smile, unsure of the new experience. "Ho-ow, c-can I hlp you?" she sputters out in a broken stammer. 

[Eruda 0]

Hands behind her back, as Raidou steps aside to introduce them, her focus seems to be on the large amount of colored silk. Shaking her head for a moment to get out of that awed state, "It's a pleasure to meet you Esiyae," as Elda raises a brow toward the woman now gazing at the beautiful silver hair upon her frame. Hlp... did she say hip or help... trying to rack her brain around what she had heard from the once excited Sun Elf to a mouselike voice. It was clear that she was nervous the moment Eruda took into vision. Giving a soft smile, trying to ease the tension a bit, "I am a tailor as well you know. I have worked with many fabrics and some silk but nothing like this..." Eyes glancing slowly around the interior, the rainbow assortment of nothing but silk. There was a nervous stare coming from the woman. Watching every step, every motion, every touch Eruda made toward her silks. 

A few minutes pass as Elda was walking around in amusement, it was everywhere. Hanging on racks of all manner of sizes. It was very neat, organized, more than Eruda could say about her shop. It was more like an organized mess. She knew where things were but if someone were to come in, they would think it to be a complete disaster. Finding her way back to stand in from of the Elf who now had an intriguing expression upon her face. "You asked me what you could help me with, I need a dress. I am to be married," grabbing Raidou's hand softly before continuing, "And I need to look breath taking." A glance between Raidou, the hands linked together and back to Eruda. Suddenly those orange eyes dart to Raidou, almost like she was trying to get conformation on the statement that was just made. A simple nod of his head before the Elf hesitantly walks to the desk, pulling out a measuring tape to continue with the task that was requested of her. 

Slowly walking toward Eruda now, unsure what to expect, Eruda lifts her hands and Esiyae jumps back. A pained look paints across Eruda's face. "I promise I will not hurt you. I want to help if you will allow it?" Standing there focusing on just what Eruda meant by this. Eruda slowly walks over to the desk, hands visible as she picks up the pencil showing it to the elf. Staying where she stood, watching the girl, Eruda would write down her measurements to the exact cm. Stepping away from the desk, gesturing the silver hair woman to take a look and she does. Raising brow to Elda now, glancing to Raidou. Walking toward him now, seemingly a bit more comfortable around him, measuring him out. After a few minutes, Esiyae disappears into the back room. "Come, please" saying in a very low voice, but it was so quiet in the building that she could be heard. Eruda starts walking that way with a quick glanced smile to Raidou.

[Raidou 1]

As the girls saunter into the back after his measurements were taken, Raidou would began to peruse the bolts of silk layered within the shelving as sounds could be heard in the back. It was clear that Elda was still a new and unknown fixture in Aradennia and as a result the wood elves or sun elves really were not sure how to take her. The same applied to him when he had first arrived here quite some time ago. Most did not visit this upper half given that the main warp gate lead to the dark elven settlement below. That and there wasn't much in the way of quests or grind spots this far up. The fact was, it was mostly barren. Coupled with the fact that the elves lack of hope caused Lun'rael's curse to create a state of perpetual winter. It took a lot of effort to convince the citizens that all was not lost, and despite their lack of a real authority and lack of faith in the one authority they did have they started removing themselves from their own doomed existence. A small undertaking here, some supplies there and after not too long they started to trust him, and believe they would succeed. He gave them hope, and with it the sky turned to summer instead of a dark storm.

But he dared not buy a home here, for back then he would have only brought a storm of his own. Instead, he kept a watchful eye from a good distance as to do as little damage as possible. That all changed. The sounds of scissors and clattering draw his attention to the source. Eruda made it capable for him to live here and help a lot more directly.

"How's it coming back there?" Raidou asks, hoping that Esiyae hadn't died from proximity. Given how fragile and worried the elves were.

[Eruda 0]

Keeping her distance, the Elf was lifting silks to see what went with the tone of Eruda's skin. Cautiously watching every time Eruda moved as to not get to close. Taking a soft exhale, "Where did you get all this colorful silk. I don't think I've seen these many colors before?" Asking, trying to make small talk while Esiyae worked. Stopping with a slight twist of the head, "Raidou, he brought them..." saying abruptly in a quiet voice. Lifting a light blue silk up to compare, shaking her head then lifting a darker blue up. "This will do," saying as she pulls a few more to match the color scheme of what she chose. Hearing Raidou, "I think we are almost done?" From the looks of it, the colors were chosen. Seeing her pull out a black piece out now, it must be for Raidou outfit. Esiyae looks to Eruda now, "Done, come back later, 3 hours..." saying quickly before vanishing around another corner with her notebook. "Out of sight out of mind I guess..." Eruda says sadly. She needed to figure out a way to be liked here. If they are to live here, then Raidou can't be the only one that they are comfortable with. 

Walking around the corner with a deep exhale, "We have to come back in a few hours. Crazy how she can get it done that quickly." Opening the door letting Raidou through first. "So, I invited Calagin to come to the wedding. He was really excited to know that I was all grown up... Oh and also a blond by the name of Lessa. Not sure if she will show though, seemed very fun when we were chatting." Eruda blushed a bit before clearing her throat. "I was thinking about getting something to eat, someplace here. Have you eaten yet?" Looking out to the large open bridge filled town. Eruda was hoping that if she had shown her face in an assortment of places around here, that maybe they wouldn't be so fearful of her. At the very least, not so jumpy.

[Raidou 1]

As the girls seemed to finish their backroom escapade, it would appear as though their visit was coming to a close. "Three hours it is then." Raidou offers with a smile, shuffling the bag of groceries in his arm to a more comfortable position. "Esiyae has had a lot of time to get proficient at this. Speaking of which." the wanderer looks to the elven shopkeeper. "Thank you for all your help, We'll be back then to pick up..." Looking to Eruda, his head sticking to the idea or imaginative rendition of what she managed to come up with. "Her wedding dress." He offers in a serene reply, yet inside the concept stuck strangely as if someone had lit a fire in his belly.

"Calagin was a good choice." the guy remarks as the bell rings on the storefront, as if announcing their return to the platinum colored streets. "Wait, Lessa?" The nomad couldn't help but bust out laughing, a deeper laugh that was a bit odd for him. "You too, huh? what are the odds. Yeah I can go for a bite to eat. Perhaps we can hit that baker again. She might have gotten better by now." He offers as he slinks his one free hand into hers, a gentle embrace as they'd share a peaceful and sunlit day free from pressures of the world.

---

Thread Closure:
Eruda | [Word Count: 2932/10 = 293.2] * [True Tier: 9] * [Group Factor: 0.7]* [Exp Bonus: 0.05] = 1940 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 291 col
Raidou | [Word Count: 2932/10 = 293.2] * [True Tier: 13] * [Group Factor: 0.7]* [Exp Bonus: 0.05] = 2802 EXP, Laurel Wreath: 420 col