[PP-F27] See It Through 2 (Electric Boogaloo)

[Lessa 1]

꧁༺Lessa༻꧂   Lessa, Guardian of Aincrad Level: 31 Paragon Level: 54 HP: 820/820 EN: 120/120 Stats: Damage: 28 Mitigation: 142 Accuracy: 4 Battle Healing: 45 H.M.: 8 HLY: 8 REC: 8 THRNS: 72 LD: 3 Equipped Gear: Weapon: Arcael's Might (T4 THSS - DMG DMG DMG HLY) Armor: Empress Armor (T4 HA - HM HM THNS THNS) Misc: Neutron Star Necklace (T4 TRINKET - ACC ACC REC REC) Skills: Straight Sword R5 Heavy Armor R5 Battle Healing R5 Energist Fighting Spirit Charge Active Mods: Impetus Emergency Recovery Justified Riposte Addons: Iron Skin Ferocity Stamina Active Extra Skills: Parry Survival Battle Ready Inventory: Teleportation Crystal x5 Mass HP Recovery Crystal x2 Sweet and Sour Licorice Bites | Tierless Perfect Snack | Loot Die 3 x 5 ([223577a] [223577b] [223577c] [223577d] [223577e]) Housing Buffs: Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down) 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 [1/1] Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll Guild Hall Buffs: Helping Hand: Lowest-leveled guild member receives +10 bonus Exp at the end of the thread. At least half of the thread's participants must be guild members. Limit one use per month, per character. [1/1]

The white-hot rage that had made her want to claw her own skin off simply evaporated as Jomei went down. In its place, was an oily, sick fear that nearly rendered her immobile. A small part of her cried out in anguish as it prepared to watch yet another person die before her eyes. Alkor's disappearing act, Rainey's face as she fell backward off the edge of the world...

The rest of her worked on autopilot. Hefting her big sword, Lessa plunged into the fray. Then, like a guillotine's blade, she let it fall with a soft shick and severed the vine's hold on the young man's leg. Even as she tried to maneuver Arcael's Might back into the scabbard on her back, she was stooping to the ground beside Jomei. Each movement was met with resistance in the form of angry insects. They buzzed incessantly, a hum that threatened to drill into her brain the way the bugs themselves attempted to burrow beneath her armor. They bounced off the hard metal with satisfying thunks, but those that met her face and neck pierced her soft skin. Gritting her teeth against the onslaught, Lessa slipped one arm under Jomei's, and wrenched the ginger to his feet. "We're getting out of here," she ground out, and she didn't release his arm until she dragged him half-way back to Percival.

Once she had, she walked beside Jomei in silence for a few moments. Apparently, Lessa needed a bit of time to collect her thoughts, and pick the lingering bugs from her matted blonde hair. Finally, she called up her inventory with a twinkle of bells, and produced two pieces of licorice. She popped one into her mouth, chewed, then offered the other to Jomei.

"That didn't go well." She let the declaration hang in the air between them. Not that it needed to be said, of course - no one in their right mind could consider that anything close to a victory. But she still couldn't keep the words from slipping past chapped lips. "I'm not sure what happened. Maybe we were just really unlucky? Or we didn't get some important piece of information?" Focusing on the sweet taste of strawberries and cream, she struggled to find the words that she spoke next. "If you want to give up on this one, let me know, okay?"

---

Lessa consumes Sweet and Sour Licorice Bites | Tierless Perfect Snack | Loot Die 3 ([223577a])

// Quest Details:

Spoiler

Floor 27
<< Part 2: Srona>>
Party Limit: 4 | 20+ Posts
Repeatable for standard thread rewards and Ushiame Salves.

Quest Rewards:

Each Player receives the following, in addition to standard thread rewards:

• 1000 Experience Points
• 1000 Col
• POTENTIAL REWARDS | Ushiame Salve
  • Tierless Perfect Mass HP Recovery (Crystal) - The party must have successfully gathered at least two additional times beyond the quest minimum requirements to obtain one Ushiame Salve, to a maximum of one per party member per thread.  This reward is repeatable.
    • Though it looks like a salve, this potent curative has absorbed the power of the green crystals around Srona and can be activated as a free action

Requirements:

• Roleplay travelling from Dagan to Srona
• Help put out the fire and speak with Percival
• Roleplay finding the Blooming Grove
• Collect Ushiame from the Blooming Grove
• Roleplay returning the Ushiame to Percival

Summary:

The alchemists of Srona need your assistance. A mysterious fire has destroyed their batch of Ushiame, the main ingredient used in the creation of their healing salve. While they prepare what they have on hand, you must travel to the Blooming Grove to collect more of this mystical flower. But be warned, the Grove Guardian has been angered by the recent blaze and stands guard to protect the grove from ill intentions.

Outline:

Part 1 | The Mysterious Blaze
Travelling from Dagan to Srona, in search of their powerful healing salve to save the rescued farmers injured in an unfortunate cave collapse, you stumble upon a group struggling to put out a raging fire burning in one of their storage sheds. Those trapped inside have already been overwhelmed by the smoke and heat, but hope remains to save them and possibly some of the remaining salve ingredients.

Help the villagers put out the fire. Players must roll natural CD to put out the fire and continue the quest.  A combined total of 10 [+10 per member in the party] is required to achieve this goal.  Sadly, what salve remains is barely enough to tend to those wounded by the fire.

Once the blaze is extinguished, Lead Alchemist Percival informs that more salve could be created if the party can retrieve several bushels of Ushiame flowers from the Blooming Grove. The NPCs must remain to tend to their wounded, but Percival informs the party that the grove can be found part way up the mountain and is obscured by thick growths of massive, densely packed trees. Large, glowing, green crystals overlook the site slowly pulsing with light and will help guide them to its location.

Part 2 | Need Versus Greed at The  Blooming Grove
The Players must roleplay finding the Blooming Grove and will be able to see the Grove Guardian watching them when they arrive.  

Attempting to gather Ushiame requires a post action. A modified LD of 15 or higher is required to successfully gather the rare flowers.  A total of [4 +1 per party member] successful attempts is required to obtain the required quantity of material.  Additional rewards can be gleaned if players are willing to push their luck and risk the Guardian’s wrath.

The party must also keep a running tally of CD roll results for every gathering attempt made (use the CD results from your LD rolls).  Foragers may reduce their CD roll results by a value equal to their rank in the profession, to a minimum of 0.  

If the CD roll tally exceeds a combined total of 30, you will have overstayed your welcome in the grove and the Guardian will begin expressing its displeasure according to the following table:

CD Tally	Consequence
31-40	If the MD result on your roll was 6 or higher, the Grove Guardian summons vines from the ground that hamper and eventually pin you down.  Your gathering action fails and another player must spend their post action to free you.
41-50	If the MD result on your roll was 5 or higher, The Grove Guardian summons wasps, beetles, and other insects from the  surrounding trees, attacking all players in the party, dealing 100 unmitigatable damage and your gathering action fails.
51-60	If the MD result on your roll was 4 or higher, both of the effects noted above are applied.  Only the Player making the roll is trapped by vines.
61+	If the MD result on your roll was 3 or higher, both of the effects noted above are applied, but damage is increased to 200.  Only the Player making the roll is trapped by vines.

Note that Regeneration and Battle Healing will not be triggered by these effects, though other enhancements and healing effects may be applied to negate these injuries.
Escaping the Grove requires a single post action by the party. No escape mechanic required.  All Players must be freed from the Guardian’s vines before this can be attempted.

---

NPCs:

<<Percival, Lead Alchemist>>
A kind, yet obviously overworked man in his early middle age. Recognizes the tension between the territories, but wants to see past it for the good of all the territories.
 

Lead Alchemist Percival informs you of where the Ushiame flower grows, The Blooming Grove. The Grove is located part way up the mountain entirely covered with trees. The glowing green crystals seem to slowly pulse there, denoting its location.

 

---

Enemies:

<<Grove Guardian>>
A large, stag like creature with two, undiscernible faces and golden laurel leaves where antlers would be. 

The Grove Guardian is an invulnerable creature that remains docile unless provoked, or if the Grove is heavily disturbed.
They slowly patrol the Grove, watching you from a distance as you take what you need.. and only what you need.

 

[Jomei 0]

  

Jomei the emerald duelist

Spoiler notes Level: 33 | Paragon: 74 | Tier: 4(11)  Jomei: 940/940 HP | 132/132 EN | DMG 23 | MIT 44 | EVA 3 | ACC 5 (AA) | BH 51 | HLY BLS 20 | FLN 16 | HLY 8 | LD 1 | Hiding 5 equipped Fragarach  Vestige of St. Patrick Alatreon's Will battle-ready inventory Antidote (3/3)  skills Spoiler Skills Saber R5 | TECH Spec. Combat Mastery DMG R3 Cloth Armor R5 Charge B Healing R5 Energist MA R2 Extra: Concentration Survival (x) Meditation (x) Parry (x) Forgotten King's Authority Hiding R.5 (x) Assault Mode Mods Athletics (x) Vanish (x) Emergency Recovery (x) Surprise Attack: Assassin (x) Addons Stamina (x) Ferocity (x) Precision (x) Nimble (x) data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw== buffs Spoiler Housing Buffs:  Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat     Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)     Dining Room: Turn 2 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Lesser Feast. Living Room: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts. data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==

 

It was frustrating, having complete control of your body - your limbs, your muscles - but not being able to control where you were going. It was terrifying. His weapon out of reach, and most likely useless in his struggle, Jomei fought to procure some sort of a foot hold so to keep himself from being dragged even further away from his objective and Lessa. Every large stone he found slipped from his grasp, grass and stems of flowers yanked from the earth. The vision of the retreating forest, and the blonde haired warrior he embarked on this quest with, faded and blurred as more insects continued to enact their revenge on the player. It was looking grim for a short moment or two, until the thorned vines became slack, and he was no longer being moved against his will. He fought to break free, his anxiety about the situation worsened by the amount of large bugs crawling along his cloak, skin, and hair. Sent chills down his spine, leaving him flailing his arms and kicking his legs to try and break free from the dead foliage even faster. 

The cloud of insects suddenly broke, if for just a moment, as Lessa's image became clear again. Her gallant, armored form, blonde locks cascading behind her, and a gauntleted hand out stretched towards him. A real knight in shining armor, tale as old as time instance. His stomach would flutter, if it wasn't for the anxiety inducing drone of hundreds of bugs. Jomei was pulled to his feet in an instant, and the two rushed from the grove without looking back. As the two broke from the tree line, the air around them seemed less tense. He blinked away the red 'Quest Incomplete' message that popped up in front of him. Finally, the two slowed to a halt, the dangers of the grove behind them, leaving them with slowly regenerating health bars, and heavy thoughts. 

The ginger would brush the dust and crawling bugs from his shoulder, as Lessa stated he obvious. He could only chuckle in response, as he took the small piece of candy from Lessa's fingers. "Unlucky, maybe. Or maybe it was about time one of these quests humbled us a bit" he laughed a bit again, just trying to keep the situation light. "I don't think there was much more we could have learned, information wise, but I think maybe we just didn't prepare enough." After another short moment of silence, Lessa asked if he wanted to give up on the quest. Sure, he had never failed a quest before, and it was absolutely a bummer. 

But that wasn't them. 

Jomei stopped in his tracks and crossed his arms. "You kidding me?" he smirked, "We're not giving up that easily." Taking a step towards her, two of his fingers gently brushed through the hair on the side of her head, before plucking out a stuck beetle by its rear end. "Its you and me. We've made it out of some pretty tough stuff so far. We've got this."

Opening his quest menus, Jomei took a look at the task they just attempted. "Hm.. Looks like there's a bit of a timer before we can attempt it again. Probably to stop spammers or to keep with a bit of story immersion. Got a couple of hours to kill. Would you want to head back to town? Or we could find a spot to set up camp, rest up before we try again." 

Jomei consumes Sweet and Sour Licorice Bites | Tierless Perfect Snack | Loot Die 3

[Lessa 1]

"Definitely humbled," Lessa confirmed, warmth and color rising in her cheeks as Jomei brushed his fingers along her hair. When he drew them back, and showed her the beetle, a strained little laugh gurgled out of her. She ducked her head, raking her fingers through her blonde mop in an attempt to rid it of any lingering insects. If it bought her an extra moment to slow her heart, and hopefully get her face back to a more natural color, that was just an added bonus.

Flipping back her hair, Lessa shoved it away from her face before she peered over Jomei's shoulder. She studied the quest details as well, and after he asked his question, she hesitated with her answer. "I know this sounds dumb," she began slowly, "but would it be okay if we just camped out here?" She hooked her thumbs under her crisscrossed belts, then peered out over their surroundings. After so much time on the 27th floor, her eyes had adjusted to the lack of light. Still, the areas just out of reach of the crystals's viridescent light seemed unnaturally dark, and she might have sworn something moved among the tree trunks. Had the Guardian followed them, even at the cost of leaving its grove unprotected?

Despite the chill that climbed her spine, Lessa doubled down on her decision. "Food sounds nice, but I think I'd feel weird going to a bar to hang out while NPCs in both Dagan and Srona are injured." Before Jomei could speak, she held up a placating hand. "Dumb, I know," she repeated. "There's nothing stopping us from going home and picking the quest up again in a year. But it just... doesn't sit well with me."

When Lessa crossed her arms against her chest, it was just as much an attempt at self-comfort as it was a show of defiance. "If it's cool with you," she concluded, "I thought maybe we could make a camp fire? I have some pops in my inventory. We could just rest for a minute before going again."

[Jomei 0]

"Well then that makes two of us" Jomei would remark with a lighthearted smile. "I was going to suggest the same thing." A short, dismissive gesture with his fingers, and the opaque message box that hovered before his form vanished in an instant. "Wouldn't make much sense to walk all the way back to town just to turn around again. That, and the sooner we can attempt the quest again, the better." He turned his gaze back towards the grove, "We should be far enough out that we won't have to worry about the Guardian or anything in there, and hopefully close enough to a quest objective that we won't have to worry about any wandering monsters. But who knows, nothing we shouldn't be able to handle if we had to." 

The ginger would lower himself to a knee before the empty space, and brought up his menus once again. "I might have some basic food in here that we can eat.. No perks, just to fill our bellies. Maybe a bedroll so we have something to sit on." Jomei scoured through his inventory menus for the items in question, "Do you think you could grab stuff to make a fire?" A short pause, as his mind searched for if he had ever made a fire before. He only hoped that Cardinal made it simple, or Lessa knew how to. 

Once the gathering of small logs, twigs and kindling had been assembled and setablaze, Jomei sat back on the unfurled sleeping bag made of canvas with a soft, wool interior. "That should do it." he would say with a smile, holding his palms in front of the warm flame for a moment to brush away the cool bite of the night. Two potatoes, perfectly wrapped in foil like an un-shucked ear of corn, with a slit cut down he center and a soft pad of butter slowly melting into the tuber. One perk about living in a video game, the food always looked perfectly prepared. The potatoes warmed up just beside the fire, a stick plunged through each to easily remove and eat. "Pretty good spot," Jomei admitted, "A nice view down at Srona." He turned his gaze upwards towards the cavern ceiling. "Just missing the stars." 

[Lessa 1]

"Yessir," Lessa answered, snapping off a quick salute. "I'll be right back."

It didn't take long to find enough kindling for the fire. Given Srona was well-known for its trees, there were plenty to choose from, and the apparent lack of rain meant everything was bone-dry. Does it even rain here? Lessa found herself wondering as she scooped up twigs and shoved them into the crook of her bent arm. She would have assumed it had to, given how well things grew, but it wasn't as if there was any sunlight, either. She wouldn't be surprised if the vegetation thrived without the water. Also, you know... video game.

Still mulling it over, Lessa strode back to their makeshift campsite. A comfortable silence hung between herself and her companion as she unceremoniously dumped her collection onto the hard-packed earth, then knelt to begin assembling her fire. Alyssa might have been thrown out of Daisies before she could ever be promoted to Girl Scout, but Lessa remembered enough to construct a somewhat stable teepee. It didn't take long before a pleasant crackling filled their small space, helped along by the pack of matches still in Lessa's inventory. The girl loved fires in the fireplace and autumn scented candles, so it never hurt to keep a pack stashed away. While in her inventory, she also withdrew two cans of grape pop, one of which she handed over to Jomei.

She plopped down beside Jomei, stretching her legs out in front of her, and crossing them at the ankles. Then she popped the tab on her drink, and downed it like a woman well-practiced in chugging grape pop. After setting the can aside, Lessa leaned back on her hands, dropped her head back, and followed Jomei's gaze. "I miss real stars," she told him after a moment. "I mean, we have floors that come close. But there's something about knowing there's just one more floor up there that kind of sucks the beauty out of it. In the real world, I could look at the sky and wonder what was up there, beyond what I could see." The blonde pursed her lips, then added, "Though I guess that's still the case here, given we have no idea what's on the next floor."

Lessa paused to slant a glance toward her friend. "Do you think you'll be up there on the Frontlines when they go for it?"

[Jomei 0]

The sound of the fire crackling paired with the silence of the night, basking the two players in a soft orange glow. Comfortable, almost completely washing away the frustration they felt just moments before when the Guardian chased them from its home. Usually, Jomei would find himself home or at an inn for the night once the darkness came. It wasn't necessarily safe to be wandering outside of the safe zones when you can't see much more than ten feet in front of you. But there was something about setting up camp, and just resting in all the beauty that Aincrad had to offer outside of its settlements' walls - despite how dangerous it could be for some less prepared. With a slow exhale from his nostrils, his gaze remained upwards - wishing for those stars. 

"Sometimes, I would just get lost staring up at the night sky.. or the clouds passing by on a sunny day. But it just never feels.. real, yeah. Eventually, your eyes focus on the ceiling.. or ground.. of the next floor. Just ruins the illusion. Or those massive pillars that hold the castle together, though at least you can't see them here." Shifting his weight, he would pull one knee into his chest, while the other rested bent on the ground. His arms gently wrapping around his knee, he would lower his eyes to gaze into the fire. The dance of yellows and oranges, slowly dying down as the night goes on, reflecting onto his eyes. 

"Do you mean the next floor raid? Or are you thinking long term, like the very top?" Jomei kept his seated position, hugging his leg, his eyes still fixed on the flames. Though, the peaceful dance slowly made way for a destructive force, as his mind shifted to everything he had experienced thus far as a Frontliner. The death, the betrayal, feeling as though he let others down. It was not an easy life. But through it all, he still managed to push out a chuckle. 

"You know.. I've tried to retire from the raid party maybe.. three times by now? Each time, I told myself it would be my last.. just so I could live a peaceful life." his head shook side to side as he was smacked with reality, "But every time I plan on sitting it out, I find myself at that next door, waiting for it to open to see what horrors Kayaba would throw at us next." Finally breaking his trance, he looked down at the palms of his hands, studying every unchanging detail. Those same, uneven fingernails thanks to a bad biting habit, the few freckles that creeped out around the openings in his gloves, even the calluses on his left fingertips.. whether from practicing instruments or a permanent addition thanks to the full body scan when he first joined this game. "Our bodies haven't changed, he look like we haven't aged but.. I just feel older. Hell, we don't even know how long we've actually been here. But I feel like some old veteran that just keeps getting dragged back out for another tour of duty. I don't know if I'm doing it for myself, because I have nothing else.. or if I'm doing it for the people I care about.. and for the people that can't fight anymore." Olive eyes finally met Lessa's, the features of her face gently illuminated by the flickering flames. He would find the can of soda and look it over for a moment, before popping the tab himself and taking a sip. "Sorry for the long winded answer.. but the short answer is yes, probably." he laughed a quiet laugh. "What about you?"

[Lessa 1]

"Mmhmm," Lessa hummed in agreement, looking back to the night sky. "I've always been a big sunrise and sunset girl. The colors just blow me away, and it's always nice to slow down and appreciate how beautiful the world is." She troubled her bottom lip for a long moment, then released a slow sigh. "It's pretty here, too, don't get me wrong. But yeah, it's different." She let her eyes slip closed, then whispered, "I'm having a harder time picturing it though. When I imagine a morning sky, I see those pillars. When I think of snowfall, I think of a specific floor. And I can't remember what Mackinac Island smelled like anymore." She laughed softly, but the sound held no real humor. "One of my favorite places in the world. Fudge, lilacs, the citronella in the fly spray for the horses. I always wished I could bottle it up, but now I can't even remember. There are so many things I can't remember."

After a few beats of silence, she opened her eyes, and gave her head a quick shake. "Woof, sorry," she began, snagging her can and downing the rest of the contents. She watched the container burst into pixels, raining down around her now empty hand. "Total buzzkill. Sorry that you always seem to get moody Lessa."

At his question, the woman scoffed. "Definitely the next floor raid," she informed him. "I like being optimistic as much at the next person, but I've never found looking ahead to the hundredth floor as anything but discouraging. We're still so far away. It helps to set small goals. Just getting to the next floor without losing anyone would be enough for me. For now, at least."

As Jomei spoke, Lessa nodded along. "I get that completely. I've retired from the Frontlines just as many times, and a few times, it actually stuck. I've sat out quite a few, focusing on other projects..." Her voice trailed, and a blush crept up her cheeks; she hoped the dark might hide the embarrassment. "Or, you know, just being a hermit. I'm pretty sure I spent a full calendar year away from other Players. Baldur occasionally stopped by to check on me, but that was it. I enjoyed the solitude. There are days I think about doing it again."

She studied Jomei's hands for a moment, then reached over and took one, drawing it into her own lap. She clasped it between her own, giving it a gentle squeeze. "But you couldn't. You have to keep fighting. And I respect the hell out of you for that. Thanks for being there when I wasn't. And for motivating me to keep going, too. If you're in that boss room for the next fight, then I will be, too."

[Jomei 0]

The ginger's lips parted as Lessa's words sunk in. He opened his mouth to respond, to say something - anything. To agree with her, or console the pit of homesickness she felt. But the sudden realization that his own memories of his real life became clouded, if not already jumbled with bits and pieces of his time in Aincrad. Liam, a name that felt vaguely foreign in his mouth, seemed like such a distant past with this new persona, Jomei ,taking center stage. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he would slowly shake his head back and forth. These were not thoughts he wanted to have right now. Lessa apologized for the deep conversation, to which Jomei could only laugh it off. "Hey, I'll take any Lessa. Don't worry about that. Not the first time you've gotten something off your chest with me, won't be the last. And I know you'll be there for moody Jomei, when he needs you." 

The question of the next floor raid arose, and Jomei felt a bit better knowing he wasn't the only one who went back on their decision to retire... multiple times. The solitude was bitter sweet, it allowed him to reset and reconnect with his 'human' side, taking focus away from the fighting and the leveling. But it was lonely, so damn lonely. Right now, he wasn't sure he could do that again. A sigh fell from his mouth as the thought lingered, before a warmth that matched the comfort of the fire took hold of his hand. Eyes followed the motion of his hand, as Lessa took hold of it between her own, resting in her lap. He could feel a heat in his cheeks rising as he looked up to meet Lessa's gaze once more. 

As he smiled back at her, he would offer an easy squeeze of her hand back. "Well then. I guess we'll just have to keep each other in check and keep on fighting. We'll make sure you remember what Mackinac Island smells like."

[Lessa 1]

At Jomei's reassurance, a weight lifted from Lessa's chest. For the first time in a long time, she felt as if she could take a deep breath. She did so, letting the cold night air fill her lungs, and relishing in the way that it felt. The scent of the forest surrounded her - rich soil, leafy vegetation, the slightly musty smell of decaying wood. A chilly breeze carried with it the faintest whiff of smoke, and the NPC's plight once again moved to the forefront of her mind. They should get back to it, but this still wasn't a moment that she cared to leave behind. In truth, she wouldn't mind lingering in the light and the warmth from the fire, and the light and the warmth of her best friend, for the rest of the evening.

"Thank you," she told him, her eyes meeting his, and she spent a few seconds simply watching the flames dance in his emerald gaze. Then she gave a small, sheepish bark of laughter. "I know I keep saying that, but I just... well, I really mean it. You're incredible, and I am so lucky that you have my back." He always had, even as far back as their first bandit encounter. They'd bonded over their shared experiences back then, too, as they'd both frequented the same Dublin bar. He'd called her lass back then. When had he stopped doing that? Why had he stopped doing that? She might have to give him grief for it later.

Her expression softened, and she added, "But listen, if you do start charging a therapy fee, please keep in mind that I am dirt poor. I still need to be able to afford you."

The blonde dropped Jomei's hands just long enough to stand up, and she offered one of her own to help pull him to his feet. "What do you say we get a move on? We've got some Sronians to take care of, some flowers to pick, and some Grove Guardian ass to kick."

[Jomei 0]

"Hah!" Jomei barked a small laugh. The image of him as a therapist alone was enough to tickle him. Though.. the more he thought about it, he did find himself ending up these situations.. lending an ear to all of those friends who need someone to talk it out with. Maybe it was a living he could make, but probably not one that he could do all the time. "I'll send you my bill" he would say with a wink, "Hey, I've got to make some money somehow. Not like I'm making a fortune off of writing songs." Lifting his can once more, he would swirl the contents within before raising it to his lips for a swig, which turned into a chug as he pounded off the rest of the soda. Break time was over, and far too soon, and it was time to get back to work. 

"Let's try and avoid having to kick its ass, yeah?" Jomei would say as he looked up at Lessa for a moment, her hand outreached towards him. Reaching just above her hand, his fingers would gently wrap around her wrist, using her weight to pull himself to his feet. "We saw how well that went last time." The ginger began packing up their equipment, easily placing the bedroll back into his inventory. Once the two were ready, they were off towards the Blooming Grove once more. The trip was not lengthy, and the tall, slightly misplaced trees were soon within their line of sight. 

Jomei gnawed on his lower lip for a moment as he looked into the grove, where the Guardian sat in wait for the next group of adventurers to pass its threshold. "So what's the plan?" he finally broke the silence, "Not sure we want to fight the thing.. and I'm sure it's still a bit raging from us earlier... Probably just stick to finding the flowers without causing a fuss, and get out of there, yeah?" 

The grove seemed as it was when they first entered not but a few hours earlier. Quiet, tranquil, with no trace of the struggle they faced earlier. Perhaps that was a good sign that they were welcome, for the time being. "Let's hope that candy you shared will be enough to get the job done. You ready?"

[Lessa 1]

Lessa blew out a soft pft sound, then shook her head. “You may not be making a fortune,” she began, “but I sure hope that you don’t stop making songs. I enjoy listening to your stuff. And one day, you’ve got to teach me how to play something. Like anything. I’m not picky. I’ve actually always wanted to play the violin.”

She tugged her friend to his feet, barking out a small laugh that didn’t carry much humor. “Yeah, that didn’t go well at all. I agree, let’s try not doing that again. More sneaky.” Lessa winced, then added, “I am not sneaky. I’ve always been more of the ‘go in guns blazing’ type. So I’ll follow your lead.”

After helping Jomei pack up their quick campsite, Lessa walked beside him in a companionable silence. It wasn’t until they’d neared the grove that he spoke. She gave a small nod, then a thoughtful hum. “I don’t know if it will actually make a difference, but maybe we should try to be as quiet as possible? Keep talking to a minimum, and only whispers? And maybe spread out a little, so we don’t cause too much of a disturbance in one area?” Loosing a one-shouldered shrug, she admitted, “It’s probably worth a shot. I don’t know what harm it could do.”

She flashed him a quick thumbs up. “Let’s do this.”

Peeling off from Jomei, long strides carried her toward a large, leafy bush. She picked through it with equal parts speed and quiet.

ID 234223 | LD 5 +3 | Nothing found | CD 12

0/5 Flowers Found
12/31 Guardian Tolerance 

[Jomei 0]

"Hm.." Jomei pondered his abilities as they crossed the threshold into the grove. It was strange, aside from the obvious, sudden change in the type of tree and flora present within this place, the air felt different as well. Quiet, and peaceful, but a little thick. Like the eye of a raging storm, a short respite with impending danger looming on the horizon in every direction. He enjoyed himself for the time being, for he knew it would not last. "I'm not entirely sure if actual stealth will work in our favor.. since the Guardian seems to know where we are the moment we step foot in here. But keeping quiet and moving slow could work to our advantage." 

Splitting up, on the other hand, he did not exactly agree with. After their last encounter, it was only with quick actions that the two were able to rescue each other from the grasp of the Guardian. If they move too far apart from each other, would he be able to get to Lessa in time before she's dragged off deeper into the wood? However, the man bit his tongue, and instead nodded. She was right, of course, searching in the same place could cause more of a disturbance, while creating some distance would make them seem smaller and therefore - hopefully - less noticeable. "Alright." the ginger responded with a silent, mouthed word, relaying his message with a nod of his head. 

Forking off in a direction opposite of Lessa, while keeping her mostly within his line of sight, he began to slowly peer around the trees. Careful steps, making sure not to disturb anything low to the ground, carried him from one grouping to the next, looking through shrubs, long stems, and weeds with only his eyes. He did not have a good feeling at their attempt to collect the flowers once more. Doubt began to creep into his mind as his gaze fell. Maybe this wasn't going to work.

ID 234227 | LD 6+3 | Nothing found | CD 7

0/5 Flowers Found
19/31 Guardian Tolerance 

[Lessa 1]

"It's just a quest," Lessa muttered under her breath as she tip-toed away from Jomei. Though their break by the campfire had worked to smooth rough edges, she couldn't stop some of the frustration from creeping back in. "It's just a quest, and I just have to find some stupid flowers, and then I can be done." The needs of the suffering NPCs weighed heavy on her heart, but the desire to simply wash her hands of it all couldn't be ignored. She could go home, and climb in bed, and take a nap, and not give another fuck about the creepy Grove Guardian. Even as she thought it, she felt the creature's eyes on her, and goosebumps raced up and down her arms. Somehow, that alone fanned the flames of her anger higher.

"Stupid little piece of shit with your stupid little- oh!" Lessa paused, lips parted on yet another insult, as a shimmer of white caught her attention. "It's a flower!"

ID 234228 | LD 18 + 3 | CD 9

1/5 Flowers Found
28/31 Guardian Tolerance 

[Jomei 0]

Typically, music would help Jomei deal with stressful situations such as this. Whether his favorite bands played a private concert through large, circular headphones or his fingers danced along nickel strings, firmly pressing them into the wooden face of the guitar's neck -- any form of music would do. 

However, he did not have the luxury of popping air pods into his ears.

And mum was the word as they crept about the grove once more.
So taking out an instrument from his inventory to pluck was out of the question.

With lips pressed together, he hummed a quiet tune to himself. One he had written, before Sword Art Online, back in the real world. Scribbled lyrics on ripped notebook paper, letters corresponding the chords of an accompaniment scratched in underneath. If he was being honest, he had no idea where that sheet was -- probably trashed at some point. But he had practiced it so many times that he could never forget it. The fingers of his left hand, though remaining at his side, twitched along, imitating chords pressed on the neck of a guitar.

For that short moment, he did not feel The Guardian's watchful gaze and the lingering danger. A brief moment of peace, just long enough for him to catch a glance at a perfectly bloomed Ushiame flower. 

"How are you doing?" Jomei called over to Lessa in a whisper. "Did.. I hear you cussing up a storm just now?"

ID 234232 | LD 12 +3 | Flower Found | CD 1
Ushiame Flowers: 2/5
Guardian Tolerance: 29/31

[Lessa 1]

Despite the annoyance churning like a stormy sea behind her blue eyes, Lessa couldn't pass up the opportunity to toss Jomei a glance over her shoulder. She flashed him an angelic smile, batted her eyelashes, and answered, "Who, me?" with all the innocence she could muster. The words had hardly passed her lips when another gleam of white snagged her gaze. "Oh shit," she uttered without thinking. "There's another one."

The flower burst into pixels between her cupped hands, and she straightened, then paused to press her balled fists into the small of her back. She stretched, all the while studying the darkness just beyond the treeline. "I feel it watching us," she murmured, taking a couple steps closer to her companion. "It's not super comfy. I know it's technically a good guy, doing the Lorax thing and protecting the trees, but... yeesh." A small shudder ran through her as the blonde turned back to the nearest bush. "I'm ready to be done."

ID 234234 | LD 19 +3 | Flower Found | CD 2

[Jomei 0]

"Nice one" his attention turning back from his search to the Lessa as she stumbled upon yet another flower. Perhaps their luck was turning around after all. The spark that ignited the confidence deep within him was snuffed out as attention was called to the elephant in the room -or the grove in this instance. It's guardian still lurked within the shadows, watching their every move. If their last attempt proved anything, it was that the creature in Percival's tale was portrayed as a much more lenient soul than they actually were. Lessa and Jomei were probably amongst the few in Aincrad that wouldn't even think to allow greed to sway their actions. They both kept the good of the people - player or NPC - in their best interest. 

Apparently though, that wasn't enough. What was that about luck turning around?

Before Jomei could respond to Lessa, much less act, he felt a familiar grip around his ankle. Peering down, he saw the green, serpent-like vine curling around his lower leg. "Ah hell, not again." he groaned, before another plant-based whip shot out from the tree line, wrapping around Jomei's throat. The ginger held his ground and fought against the pull of the grove. Planting a heel to the dirt and wrapping his fingers around the constricting force at his neck, he struggled with the Guardian's wrath. "Feisty, are we? Maybe buy me dinner first." 

Yanked onto his back. Suppose the Guardian wasn't a fan of jokes. 

"Ack." he coughed as the vines enclosed around his throat. "Might need... help again." 

ID 234274| LD 6+3 | CD 8 | MD 8

3/5 Flowers Found
39/41 Guardian Tolerance

31/40 If the MD result on your roll was 6 or higher, the Grove Guardian summons vines from the ground that hamper and eventually pin you down.  Your gathering action fails and another player must spend their post action to free you.

 

[Lessa 1]

That same spike of panic plunged through her at Jomei's sudden ensnarement, but her friend's quip did wonders to stave off the fear. Rather than standing there, just as rooted as he was, she flew into action. In a single swipe, her blade severed both of the vines that clung to him. She slammed the weapon back into its hilt, then shoved both arms under Jomei's. "Upsy daisy." Bending, and lifting with her knees (good form is critical, you know), she once more dragged the swordsman away from the writhing remains. 

Once the pair had moved out of range, she stopped to look down at Jomei's face. His cheeks were flushed, which she assumed was a side effect of being choked out, but he appeared otherwise unscathed. So she scowled at him. "I don't mean to be rude, but maybe I could play the damsel in distress next time? You've gotten do to it twice now."

She shifted her hold on him to help the man find his feet, even as the Guardian wrenched its injured limbs back into the darkness. It bellowed in protest. Lessa bellowed her response.

"Oh blow it out your ass."

[Jomei 0]

The threat of the encroaching vines did not last long. Now aware of what they were dealing with, Jomei was not on his back long before Lessa’s blade severed the serpents at the head - so to speak. Immediately, what remained encircled around his neck shriveled and released its grasp. It would fall to the ground without issue as he was helped up to his feet. “But I play the part so well” he teased her as he righted himself up once more, brushing the dirt from the back of his head. 

The two would watch as the wounded roots curled back into the darkness, waiting for the two players to slip up once more so they could strike. Jomei couldn’t help but chuckle at Lessa’s frustration, whether it was real or just a joke. “Guess the grove is just taking a liking to me. Not sure why, you’re obviously the better catch.” A sly smirk over his shoulder as he shrug and step in the opposite direction.

Another of the Ushiame flowers sprouted through the crevice between two cracked halves of a stone. With a toothless smile, he would bend forward to pluck the plant out of the ground with pinched grip.Standing at full height once more, he would turn in place and step towards Lessa once more, holding the flower out towards her. “For you, my knight in shining armor. I thank thee for saving me.” The dainty hand gently resting on his forehead really sold the entire act. 
 

ID 234515 | LD 13+3  | CD 9 | MD 1

4/5 Flowers Found
48/50 Guardian Tolerance

41/50 If the MD result on your roll was 5 or higher, The Grove Guardian summons wasps, beetles, and other insects from the  surrounding trees, attacking all players in the party, dealing 100 unmitigatable damage and your gathering action fails.

[Lessa 1]

Lessa swept her arm across her midsection, then hinged forward at the waist, presenting Jomei with her most regal bow. She didn't straighten before speaking, instead peering up at the man from beneath her blonde bangs. "For you, I shall fight a Grove Guardian any day." Only then did she stand up again, plucking the flower from his pinched fingers with a flourish, and sending it shattering into shimmering fractals. 

"One left," she announced, though she highly doubted Jomei had lost count. They were so close to the end, and she could practically taste the victory, as sweet as the grape pop she'd just chugged. "The Guardian does seem at least a little tamer this go-around, so maybe it's a timed deal? The quicker we find the flowers, the better off we are?" She pursed her lips in thought, then shrugged. "Or maybe the Guardian's just being lazy."

She opened her mouth as if to say more, then her expression pinched with concern. "Hey," she began, the word delivered at half the volume she'd been using before. "Do you, uh, hear something?"

And there it was - that overpowering buzz that could only mean one thing. Lessa snapped to attention, tearing the blade back out of its hilt as she turned to face the oncoming swarm. As if she could somehow hack away at the little threats before they reached her. Yeah, sure. Maybe if I had half a dozen more swords.

With visions of General Grievous dancing through her head, Lessa lunged at the approaching enemies - only to be yanked backward. In her hurry to intercept the insects, she hadn't noticed the vine snaking around her ankle. It ripped her off her feet, then yanked her into the air like a fish on a line. The way she squirmed as the bugs fell upon her was also pretty good approximation of a caught trout.

"Spoke too soon," she wailed. "Spoke. Too. Soon."

 

ID 240218 | LD 8 + 3 | CD 4 | MD 7

4/5 Flowers Found
52/50 Guardian Tolerance

51-60 If the MD result on your roll was 4 or higher, both of the effects noted above are applied.  Only the Player making the roll is trapped by vines.

Lessa | 720/820
Jomei | 840/940 HP

[Jomei 0]

Spoke too soon indeed.

The droning of dozens of insects caught both of their attention, though where it was coming from was still unknown to them. Being the Guardian's favorite for the day, Jomei instinctually turned around, rapier at the ready to intercept the nasty, flying critters. Not behind him, but-

Not as fast as he should have been, Jomei whipped around, prepared to cut down both vine and bug. Rude it would be of him to leave her hanging while she continuously saved his hide from the Guardian's grasp. "Lessa!" Jomei would shout, "I'm-." His call was cut short as something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. The dainty, white petals sat unbothered. Not even the current commotion could disrupt its silent beauty as it sat there, ready to be plucked. 

The one flower they needed to finally put this quest behind them. 

"Hold on, I see the last one! Let me grab it, then I'll get you! Just hang on!" 

The buzzing of the insects began to increase in volume as the swarm closed in on him. Swiping at those he could, he created a gap that he could pass through to grab the flower. 

Just a little closer. An arm's reach away. The tips of his fingers could nearly feel the soft touch of the petals.

SLAM

Jomei's body was thrown to the ground forcefully as a thick vine crashed into his back from above. He clawed at the dirt, gripping at grass and rocks hoping to get just a few inches closer to their target.. but no luck. His body was pulled, slowly and without caution back and away from the final flower, which seemed to fold in on itself and vanish before his very eyes. Just a moment later, he found himself dangling from a branch beside the just-as-screwed Lessa.

Jomei had no words, olive eyes looked across at his companion, but he could only sigh and shake his head.

"Just our shit luck."

ID 240219 | LD 10 + 3 | CD 5  | MD 8

4/5 Flowers Found
52/50 Guardian Tolerance

51-60
If the MD result on your roll was 4 or higher, both of the effects noted above are applied.  Only the Player making the roll is trapped by vines.