[PP]F26 A Confusing Reunion <<Bitter Winds Pt. 1>>

[Oscar 0]

Pirates.

Whether pillaging the seas or the skies, it mattered little to Oscar. Regardless of verticality, they were always good for a bit of fun. He recalled fond memories of combating the ocean-bound ruffians. A screaming fireball of a ship colliding with their cove, the larger-than-life acrobatics. All the cutscenes he skipped in the name of dogwalking some scurvy dogs. He wondered whether the Skyrats of Floor 26 would be quite as interesting. The NPC questgiver had droned on and on about the problems that the guard were facing. How the Skyrats were taking advantage of the power vacuum created by the fallen regime in order to line their pockets. The NPC was almost apoplectic, enraged by the mere presence of the pirates. And while he was certainly programmed with the desire to fight with honor and uphold justice, Oscar was just there for a bit of fun.

"Sure," Oscar said as he was propositioned to help the Dockmaster clean up the skies. It must have been a Full Moon in the real world. Engaging with NPCs was something that Oscar, as a rule, refused to do. But he was in a mood today. "I'll give you a hand. Should be good for a bit of fun at least."

"Fun?! This ain't about fun! This is about bringing criminals to justi-"

The NPC was cut short with a powerful backhand to the jaw. Just like that Oscar's willingness to listen to the NPC evaporated. Ryland's indignation was met with a hearty slap. "Skip," Oscar said wearily. "I don't even know why I try."

Spoiler

"Name: Oscar True Tier: 9
Level: 33
Paragon Level: 54
HP: 1104/1104
EN: 124/124

Stats:
Damage: 26
Mitigation: 212
Accuracy: 5
Evasion: 3
Battle Healing: 
Loot Die: 5
Stealth Rating: -5
AA
PHASE
VAMP-O: 182
REC: 4

Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - <<Kyūketsuki>> T4 KATANA//ABS.ACC/PHASE/VAMP2
Armor/Trinket: 
  - <<TACTICAL UNDER ARMOR>> T4 HEAVY ARMOR//MIT/MIT/MIT/REC
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - <<IVORY GOLD LEAF RING>> T1 TRINKET//ACC/ACC/EVA/EVA

Combat Mastery:
  - Combat Mastery: Damage R3

Combat Shift:
  - AOE Shift

Familiar Skill:
  - 

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:
  - Battle Healing R5
  - Energist
  - Fighting Spirit
  - Heavy Armor R5
  - Howl
  - Katana R5
  - Quick Change
  - Searching R5

Extra Skills:
  - Concentration
  - Forgotten King's Authority
  - Meditation
  - Parry
  - Survival

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
  - Ferocity
  - Focused Howl
  - Iron Skin
  - Precision
  - Stamina

Mods:
  - Impetus
  - Justified Riposte
  - Tracking

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - <<ETERNAL LIGHT - KAMISORI>> T4 PERFECT KATANA HOLY/HOLY/V.O. x
  - <<RHINO'S HORN>> x
  - <<TELEPORTATION CRYSTAL>> x

Housing Buffs:
  - Basic Kitchen: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot. This can exceed normal Cook enhancement caps. Ex: A perfect T2 MIT food gives 35 MIT instead of 30.
  - Storage Closet: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
  - Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
  - Attic (Bedroom): +1 Expertise to declared utility skill. Cannot boost a skill without ranks, or increase a skill past its maximum rank. Cannot boost a skill the user has not learned yet. Ranks obtained using this buff will make the mods of that rank available for purchase. Mods obtained this way are unusable if this buff is removed until the skill is returned to the appropriate rank by way of SP purchase.
  - Basement: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
  - Guest Room: Players can have one «Amenity» in a «Guest Room» and the «Amenity» cannot be recovered. Players are allowed to change which «Amenity» is in the «Guest Room». Multiple instances of the same «Amenity» do not stack. This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.
  - Master Bedroom: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
  - Master Bathroom: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
  - Extended Workshop: +2 Crafting EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
  - Ornate Fishing Pond: +2 Fishing EXP per Attempt and additional +1 LD & CD to fishing attempts.
  - Dining Hall: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed. Feasts created this way cannot be used outside of the thread they are created. Limit 1 item created per thread.
  - Mega Slime Farm: +10% EXP to a thread. Limit one use per month. Must be used on a player's first post in a thread. Cooldown begins counting down when used in a post.

Guild Hall Buffs:

Scents of the Wild Totem:
  - Tanos
Wedding Ring:                                   

Focused Dog Consumed +2 ACC
Evasion Dog Consumed +2 EVA
Biggest Boy Dog Consumed +15% OH -> +20% OH [Filled]
Adamantine Dog Consumed +60 MIT
Liquor of Light Consumed +3 DMG                                               

 

Edited August 27 by Oscar

[Cordelia 0]

Cordelia’s nails drummed against the railing that overlooked the skyport, a noticeable grimace etched onto her face as she examined one of Floor Twenty-six’s wonders on her way across a bridge. New floors these days are so much harder to keep track of, she mused flatly. It couldn’t have been more than twenty minutes since she teleported to this floor before she was bombarded by quests and NPCs, spewing words and phrases that made zero sense to a player who (begrudgingly) has been in and out of floor lore for quite some time now.

“Whatever happened to ‘yeah, this floor is just a desert or swamp’, and God, has there always been so much politics involved in quests?” the woman muttered to herself as she pushed past an NPC trying to get her on a fetch quest and another attempting to persuade her into overthrowing the government or something. Though she had to admit, it was almost impressive how these NPCs were programmed to just. never. give. up. Those quest givers must have been ranting to her for about five minutes straight before she made her swift exit. It was easy enough for her to delude herself into interacting with NPCs, (they made great listeners and most were friendly enough) but being thrown headfirst into a floor with terms and jargon she knew nothing about had worn down her patience. 

So imagine her luck when an NPC is instead thrown headfirst into her -- or rather, backhanded into her-- as she walked past what must've been another player being fed up. "Woah there!" Cordelia exclaimed, nearly losing her footing as she grabbed the man by the shoulders just before they made contact. "You really shouldn't be throwing around NPCs like that, you know," she sighed, peering from over Ryland's shoulder with an arched brow. "I heard it's easy to get on their..." Cordelia felt the words tumble out of her mouth like dry sand as her eyes landed on the perpetrator. 

"... bad side."

No way.

Spoiler

[ LVL: 33 PGN: 26 | HP: 760 | EN: 110/110 | 23 DMG | 20 MIT | 5 ACC | 3 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE ]

[ LVL: 33 PGN: 26 | HP: 760 | EN: 110/110 | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE ]

EQUIPPED GEAR:
<<Carver of Demons: Onimaru>> | T4 Katana | PHASE/HOLY/HOLY/ABS. ACC
<<Empress' Kanzashi>> | T4 Trinket | ACC/ACC/ACC/EVA
<<Bastille's Downfall>> | T4 Light Armor | EVA/EVA/HOLY BLESSING

SKILLS:
R5 Katana
R5 Cloth Armor
R5 Battle Healing
Charge
Energist
Combat Mastery: Damage

EXTRA SKILLS:
Survival
Disguise
R5 Hiding
Meditation
Forgotten King's Authority

Familiar: Rending

MODS:
Ferocity
Athletics
Resolve
Surprise Attack (Assassin)

Combat Shift: ST Specialist

CONSUMABLES USED: 
Udon Bowl: 2 ACC
Ramen Bowl: 2 EVA
Super Armor Miso Ramen: +45 MIT
Liquor of Light: +3 DMG

BUFFS:
Kumatetsu Statue: +1 DMG

 

Edited September 5 by Cordelia

[Oscar 0]

It was rare that Oscar found himself scolded over his treatment of NPCs. He cared little for the fluff they offered. An NPC was not adequate company, barely even worth his time. And they always droned on about the Lore and the situation. Things he cared even less about. Reality remained at the fore of his mind, fixed and immovable, that this was little more than an illusion. Their words were designed to distract. He would have none of it. Nothing was more important than remaining focused on the task at hand: escaping this game.

His resolve did waver as the person spoke. The voice was familiar. And as he turned to face the source, his eyes widened in shock. She looked different, but Oscar would recognize her anywhere. And so he stood there, frozen and immobile with his eyes affixed to hers. The din of the Skyport and that clamorous chaos fell upon deaf ears. His fingers twitched, the impulse being to reach out and touch her.

“Cordelia,” he said simply in greeting. There was no confusion in his tone, only complete certainty. He held himself back, almost afraid that if he reached out to touch her - to confirm she was real - that she would disappear upon the wind. His mouth went dry and he couldn’t think of anything to say. It wasn’t as if his mind were empty. The issue was the opposite. There were so many questions flying through his brain, so many answers he desired. It was easy, in his solitude, to consider theirs a relationship well lived. That, in and of itself, was the closure he would need to move beyond it. He had been so confident then.

How poetic was it for his confidence to be so shaken now. Her presence denied closure, opening old wounds and demanding answers. Why now, after the dust had settled, were they colliding once again? He couldn’t bring himself to be angry. She was a massive vulnerability. Though he doubted even Tyson’s best would have been able to bring her to heel. Even so, he was able to do what he needed to do without fear of reprisal since she disappeared. It had worked out for the best.

But her being here. Now. It was something Oscar couldn’t have possibly planned for.

The storm of questions would go unanswered. Oscar would not crumble merely by her simple reappearance. “You look good,” he stated. “Different. I like it.”

It was a difficult conversation to engage with. What were they now, after all this time and distance? He couldn’t say the things he wanted. Where have you been? What happened? The obvious. All he could do was dance around the edges, careful to avoid the heart of the thing.
 

[Cordelia 0]

The world could’ve swallowed her up and she still wouldn’t have noticed, not with the way her full focus on the man in front of her. He could change his appearance as many times as he wanted, but there was no mistaking the man she had grown hopelessly in love with in the past. Familiarity enveloped her like a warm hug, but the moment of reprieve was quickly blown away by a flood of guilt on her conscience. Tell him that you’re sorry, the little nagging voice in her head rattled restlessly, it’s the least you can do for screwing this up. 

The idea almost made her shrink back, her mouth suddenly feeling drier than the most arid of deserts. Fear coiled under her skin the longer her eyes stayed on the person she thought would never want to be associated with her again, as if she was waiting for a ticking time bomb to explode and tell her it was too late for sorry. 

But no explosion came, only a curt greeting of her name. Ever the bearer of their heart on their sleeve, Cordelia failed to mask her confusion, brows scrunching together before her tense shoulders gradually relaxed. “Oscar,” she replied breathlessly, the name rolling off her tongue so easily that it was hard to imagine its long period of disuse. How long had it been since she had last uttered that name out loud, much less to the face of the person who bore it? It almost felt wrong how easily she fell back into saying it, as if it would've been better off if she had merely stayed as a fragment of his past. 

Cordelia fought the urge to wince as they navigated the conversation like strangers who had only met once before. “You too,” she tries, attempting to offer a smile as she gestures to her hair. “Black. It suits you.”

What lacked of their short talk eventually fell into an awkward silence, and it only took a few more aching seconds for the internal struggle with herself to implode like a burst dam. "– Look Oscar," she began quietly, averting her eyes as if wanting to avoid any judgment, "I... God, I don't even know how to explain myself." A shaking hand ran through her hair idly as a humorless laugh escaped her. "I have no excuse for what I did to you– to us. I was stupid and I fucked up, and God, no words can explain how sorry I am. I truly am. You deserved more than whatever the fuck I gave you, and–" Cordelia swallowed down the stinging lump in her throat and shrugged her shoulders weakly. "I'm just glad to see you're doing okay after everything, and... and if you want to never see my face again, I understand. Just say the word and we can forget this ever happened." 

She squared her shoulders, preparing for the worst.

... only for a nagging voice (not the one in her head this time) to interrupt her baited breath. "Oh, so you know each other?" That fucker Ryland steps into her field of vision and almost completely ignores the interaction between the former lovers. "Surely then, miss, you can help me get rid of of the corruption that has seeped into every crack and crevice of this port? Your good friend has already agreed!" he exclaims, also ignoring how he had been backhanded by said friend not even five minutes ago.

Edited September 2 by Cordelia

[Oscar 0]

He was missing something. Why was Cordelia apologizing to him? He was the one who disappeared in a self-imposed exile. His heart ached at the thought of how long he’d kept her waiting - the idea that she would have been up nights, listening for the slightest creak that might indicate his return. What torment he had put her through? But from the way she spoke, it was as if the shoe were on the other foot. That she had wronged him. And that simply couldn’t be further from the truth.

Ryland stepped in, threatening to derail the reunion. Oscar’s brow furrowed in irritation, but he elected to ignore the interloper. He’d signed on for the fun the quest promised, but he was now far more enthralled by something else entirely. It was funny how, even now, Cordelia had that effect on him. So funny that it beckoned laughter from the man. A soft chuckle escaped him as the tension deflated. It was clear to him that something else was afoot. The situation was not quite so clear-cut as he’d thought. And it warmed his heart to know that the hurt he thought he’d made her suffer had not come to pass.

“I forget how much I told you about my former protege,” Oscar said, seemingly and abruptly changing the subject. “But our little feud went sideways. Fast. I had to disappear for a while. One day, when I’d decided enough was enough, I came home. You weren’t there.” It was an accusation without teeth, a mere statement of fact. “And I had assumed you’d waited for me while I was gone. As long as you could, at least. Figured you’d seen the writing on the wall and moved on.”

It was strange to be on this side of the conversation. Oscar figured he would be the one begging forgiveness. In his own prideful not-begging sense of the word, at least. If he were being honest, he’d practiced the speech in the mirror. The explanations and the assurances and the insistence that he’d disappeared to keep her safe. None of it really prepared him for this. How could it?

“But that wasn’t the case, right?” Oscar tilted his head to the side, finally feeling bold enough to question her. “You wouldn’t be apologizing if I was the one who left you. I missed you like crazy. I checked that damn Monument every day for your name. And I thought for all this time it was my fault.” His voice cracked. This would be a reason and a time where he’d ample cause to shed tears. He felt as if it cheapened the moment - lessened the impact - that he had been rendered incapable of it. Oscar was not invulnerable and the stains on his hands had left their mark on his very core.

He stepped forward, shouldering past Ryland and wrapping his arms around Cordelia. For the briefest moment before he pulled her into his chest, Oscar still felt that fear that he was imagining things and she might evaporate before his very eyes. But she didn’t. The storm of emotion he’d felt earlier surged and he felt fit to bursting. He struggled to maintain his composure, if only for a bit. That, too, was funny. He’d crossed swords and slain all manner of PKers and not one of them had made him waver like she did. And as he struggled for what to say next, he realized it was all so very simple.

“I’m just glad you’re safe.”
 

[Cordelia 0]

Cordelia just about drew her sword at Ryland’s sudden interruption, but the soft jingle of laughter made her falter. A silent breath escaped her as she stared at Oscar like a fish out of water, unsure what to make of the situation since she was obviously missing something. Though oddly enough, the chuckle also seemed to calm her nerves like a soothing melody, and the tension in her shoulders gradually loosened as the seconds ticked by. 

Pieces of the unfinished puzzle were laid out one by one as Oscar recalled the events she was never able to witness or hear about. A relationship between mentor and student gone wrong; so much so that he had to go off the grid. And when he finally had the sense to come back… Cordelia’s breath hitched as she looked away shamefully, guilt crawling up her spine like an ugly parasite. Every day since she had marked herself a coward was a day that he spent checking for her name on a wall of the fallen. And after all this time, he had believed that he was the reason why she left.

She feared no amount of apologies could ever convey the guilt she felt.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated as she choked on a soundless sob. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to leave, I just–” A ragged breath escaped her as she pressed a hand to her mouth, the remorse that lingered in her mind for days finally catching up to her words. “I was scared and stupid, and I didn’t know what else to do but run like a coward.” She met his eyes, her own brimming with unshed tears. “But it was never your fault. Nothing was ever your fault.” Her voice was the firmest it’s been since their reunion, as if no truer statement had ever been uttered. "Nothing you did would have ever made me leave you."

As Oscar stepped up to pull her close, she couldn't help but instantly melt into his embrace, as if coming home after years of being lost. Five simple words and a reassuring touch was all it took for her resolve to crack, and she wrapped her arms around him as an ugly sob finally tore free from her throat. “I missed you so much,” she wept into his chest, “I should’ve done something– contacted you, looked for you, anything. I was just so... scared that you’d hate me for leaving like I did.”

[Oscar 0]

“Hate you?”

Oscar’s hands moved to her shoulders as he took a step back. He held her in place, moving his gaze down to lock eyes with her. He was almost offended by the notion. And no sound was quite so terrible as her weeping. After everything, he didn’t know whether they could simply pick up where they left off. His expression was inscrutable, almost steely as his eyes narrowed in focus. His right hand moved from her shoulder. His fingertips ghosted across her cheek, wiping away her tears as they streamed down her face.

“I could never,” he said softly as his lips stretched outward into the faintest of smiles. He recalled his hallucination just days prior. The vision quest that either his wounded psyche or Cardinal had manifested before him. The question asked by his twin echoed in his mind.

Did you love her?

His answer now was not the same as his answer then. Uncertainty had been a soothing balm in her absence. But it had been a lie. Perhaps he knew it then, deep down in the recesses of his soul. So deep that even the manifestation of his regret wasn’t able to see the truth. But now, confronted with her and their mutual guilt, his feelings were laid bare. He couldn’t lie now, not to her nor to himself.

“I love you,” Oscar said. “And I missed you too. So fucking much.”

The words came easily now. Nothing truer had ever been spoken. Words had never fallen from his lips quite so easily. Even with his declaration hanging in the air, Oscar still didn’t know if they could simply will their broken relationship back to life. But he was willing to try. His fingers hooked under her chin, tilting her face up toward his. He leaned down. Slowly as that fear she might disappear still clung to the back of his mind. And he kissed her, ever so softly. His pulse quickened, his chest swelling with emotions long denied. He’d choked it all down. The loneliness and the anguish. And it all roiled to the surface, threatening to overflow. 

Through some miracle, however, he maintained his composure. Their lips parted. Oscar looked down at her with that hazy, blissful glow. He couldn’t remember a sweeter stolen kiss. His smile had remained fixed upon his features, his hands fell away. “You’re back now. That’s all that matters.”
 

[Cordelia 0]

“It’s stupid now, I know,” she nervously stammered immediately after, her words littered with hiccups of laughter and crying like she wasn’t sure how to feel about these new revelations. Still, she smiled harder than ever and leaned into his delicate fingers with a huff of fondness. “I’m glad,” Cordelia murmured as she pressed her palm against the back of his hand, holding it as if he would disappear in front of her if she didn’t. 

Things would be different, she’s sure. No matter how well their reunion went, no matter how well they fit into each other’s arms again– things were never going to be the same, at least not in the way they were before. This Oscar was different from the Oscar she had met all that time ago, but so was every Oscar every day since then, and yet she had chosen to love every single one. This one would be no different. 

Through her wet eyes, Cordelia grinned at the man who had so easily stolen her heart back from her. His confession lingered in the air like a sweet song, and another sob-like laugh escaped her as she nodded her head, reaching up to cradle the edges of his face with her hands. “I love you too,” she whispered wetly, “more than I can say in words.”

Their first kiss after so much time apart was more than she could ever dream of. Raw emotion burst behind her eyes at the feeling, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that lingered in her vision as she shut her eyes. This everything and more, so much so that it was overwhelming and she could already feel herself choking up again. But those soft lips kept her grounded in the moment, allowed her to savor the present in a way she hadn’t done in so long. And when they finally parted, the high she felt rivaled the kiss itself. It was the lingering feeling on her lips, the sound of their breathless laughs, the sight of a smile on the man she loved most that made her own grow tenfold. This moment, however temporary, would remain engraved in her memories for as long as she lived.

"I'll never leave again," Cordelia reassured him, thumbing the soft edges of his cheek. "I promise."

[Oscar 0]

“I’ll hold you to that,” Oscar said as he wrapped his arms around her once more. Not once did he think that things would turn out like this. After everything he did and everything he was willing to sacrifice, he expected the shoe to fall. He expected the consequences of his actions to force a wedge between him and the people he cared for. And most of all, he never expected Cordelia’s return. And yet, here she was. In his arms once more. He was fit to bursting, chest swelling with raw emotion. But it was in this state that he was never more keenly aware of who - what - he was. A killer - a monstrous one at that. How many dozens had he cut down in his war?

How could he possibly deserve her after everything he did?

He hadn’t the time to consider that thought. Ryland had other plans.

“ARE YOU TWO DONE YET?” The NPC roared, his yelling mere inches from Oscar’s ear. “THERE IS EVIL AFOOT”

Oscar sighed heavily, shaking his head as he stepped away from Cordelia. It was just like old times, the two of them tackling this game together. It was a soothing balm for the anguish he was feeling at the moment. He kept his expression neutral, not daring to hint at what was raging in his heart and in his head. Instead, he cracked a smile and gestured towards the NPC. “Shall we then? We can throw this asshole off the airship as soon as we get going if you want.”
 

[Cordelia 0]

Her heart lifted in her chest at the signs of his affection. There were so many things she wanted to say, things she never got to do; her life before had been built upon a wall of thoughts and ideas she never got to act upon, but it seemed whatever higher being out there had chosen to grant her some mercy and offer a second chance. She’d grasp at this opportunity, hold it tight to her chest until not even the claws of her own self doubt could tear it away from her hands.

She won’t allow herself to make the same mistake again

Still, there was an air of hesitance to her as the adrenaline of their reunion simmered in their veins. What would this make them? Husband and wife? Former lovers reunited? Had they ever truly separated to be called such a thing? Just as she was about to air out her questions, a deafening screech reverberated through the air, the cause being the impatient man beside them. 

“Is he some kinda quest NPC or something?” she whispered to Oscar discreetly as she gave Ryland a cold side eye, her hand dangerously close to the handle of her sword. She figured he must’ve been one if he stuck around this long anyway. 

Still, Cordelia managed a smile at his (somewhat morbid) joke. “And risk him ruining someone’s day by dropping on them?” she mused, shaking her head. “It’ll be less of an inconvenience if we just tie him to the mast.”

[Oscar 0]

"Unfortunately," Oscar said with a sigh. He ran his fingers through his hair, shaking his head as Ryland marched on towards his pre-set path to the next Quest destination. "I fail to understand why Cardinal has suddenly decided we need our hands held. Didn't have these sorts of issues when we were on the come up." Red text flashed across his screen:

Warning: Do not get too far away from Quest Companion.

He was certain that Cordelia had got the same message. With a groan, Oscar shook his head and pushed forward. As he did, his hand sought Cordelia's. Linking his fingers with hers, he continued onward. His pace was a bit swift as he wanted to rid himself of the pulsing crimson text as quickly as possible. When they caught up to Ryland, he was locked in a fearsome scripted argument with what Oscar could only assume was the Quest Boss.

Rather than pay attention to anything they were saying, Oscar turned his head towards Cordelia with a smile. "Just like old times, right? At least we're not trying to deal with that damned Colossus." 

In an instant, Oscar had disappeared. Nothing but a gust of wind was left in his wake. In the next, he had appeared behind the boss - one Guard Captain Calais - with his weapon at the ready. With a shattering blow, Oscar sliced through Calais and his men. While he had done heavy damage to the minions, Calais was a bit more tricky. He'd not noticed that Parry was active. Vengeful Reposte and the Thorns from the minions pecked away at his health. The combination had done more damage to him that he'd taken in quite some time.

"Oh wow wow wow," Oscar exclaimed incredulously. "Haven't taken damage like this in a minute." His eyes flashed up to his health bar. "Mind the Thorns, Cordelia!"

Spoiler

Oscar - HP: 847/1104 [-257] | EN: 103/124 | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4
Cordelia -  HP: 760/760 | EN: 110/110 | 27 DMG | 75 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE

[Free Action] Rhino's Horn Used, +3 Base Damage this round

AoE-I vs Guard Captain Calais - ID: 229881 | BD: 5+5-2 | 29*15-100 = 335 DMG / 2 = 167 DMG
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #1 - ID: 229882 | BD: 2+5 | 29*15-100 = 335 DMG
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #2 - ID: 229883 | BD: 1+5 | 29*15-100 = 335 DMG
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #3 - ID: 229884 | BD: 1+5 | 29*15-100 = 335 DMG

[Os2, Co0]Guard Captain Calais - HP: 833/1000 | DMG: 250 | | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
[Os2, Co0]Corrupt Dock Guard #1 - HP: 265/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30
[Os2, Co0]Corrupt Dock Guard #2 - HP: 265/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30
[Os2, Co0]Corrupt Dock Guard #3 - HP: 265/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30

 

Edited September 5 by Oscar

[Cordelia 0]

She stifled a laugh with the back of her hand at Oscar's visible irritation. "Maybe they want to keep us constantly on our toes," she tried, shrugging her shoulders just as a conveniently timed pop-up message appeared in front of her. It garnered a quiet, disapproving 'boo' from the woman before she felt herself be pulled away by the hand and towards the aforementioned Quest Companion. Still on a high from their reunion, Cordelia barely acknowledged the group encountering the supposed Quest Boss. Something about corruption in a port or whatever. The mention of fonder days made her subconsciously smile as memories flooded her head– all before her expression seeped into a disgruntled frown. “Don’t remind me,” she groaned with lighthearted annoyance, shaking her head as she reminisced about that absolute dumpster fire of a quest run. 

At some point, the battle must’ve started because the next time she looked up at Oscar, he was missing and only a cloud of dust was left in his wake. Ever eager to get things done, Cordelia thought fondly. A huff escaped her when she realized some things would never change. Skilled fingers unsheathed the katana at her hip, and she followed after his blazing pursuit with remarkable speed. Just like old times. 

“Got it!” The accumulation of damage that had already been dealt to Oscar was worrying, if she was to be honest, but she refused to let the sight of his healthbar blind her from following up with a devastating attack of her own. White hot light enveloped her blade as she slashed through the enemies, managing to land two particularly strong hits against the captain and a guard before she retreated backwards. Fortunately, the latter was completely wiped out in the attack, and she fought the smug smile that threatened to make its way onto her face as she watched him explode into a flurry of pixels. You still got it, Cordelia. 

Just as she prepared herself for the enemy’s counterattack, a grating sound filled her ears. “Ya got some dirty tricks up your sleeve, ya foul cretins!” Failing to hide her wince, Cordelia turned her head just slightly towards Ryland the Unfathomably Stupid as he continued to spew insults left and right. “People like you should be rotting in a cell, not running the port. Why I’d oughta… I’d oughta give you a piece of my mind!”

There’s no way this is real, was her first thought as she stared dumbfounded at the NPC. The shock value didn’t stop there, no, because whatever he was doing seemed to actually be attracting the enemy aggro. She didn’t even know he was supposed to be part of the fight, much less a whole ass mechanic. And just as she was about to yell for him to shut the fuck up, the enemy captain rushed toward Ryland before delivering an attack that did a pretty considerable chunk of his health. 

Great. She threw up her hands in exasperation. Weird mechanic and his stats are garbage.

Spoiler

Oscar - HP: 847/1104 | EN: 103/124 | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4
Cordelia -  HP: 700/760 [-60] | EN: 110/110 [-19] | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE
Ryland - HP: 770/1000 | DMG: 0 | MIT: 20 |  EVA: 2

-
AoE-I vs Guard Captain Calais - ID: 229893 | BD: 9, CRIT +1 | 227+1+16=44x11= 484-50= 434 DMG
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #1 - ID: 229894 | BD: 9, CRIT +1 | 27+1+16=44x11= 484-50= 434 DMG
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #2 - ID: 229895 | BD: 3+7 | 27x11= 297-100= 197 DMG
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #3 - ID: 229896 | BD: 7+7 | 27x11= 297-100= 197 DMG
-
Ryland opening his big fat mouth | ID: 229897 | BD: 3 | +2 Hate
-
Guard Captain Calais vs Ryland | ID: 229898 | MD: 6+1, hit | CD: 7 | 250-20= 230 DMG
Corrupt Dock Guard #2 vs Ryland | ID: 229899 | MD: 3, miss | 
Corrupt Dock Guard #3 vs Ryland | ID: 229900 | MD: 4, miss |

[Ry2, Os2, Co2]Guard Captain Calais - HP: 399/1000 | DMG: 250 | | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
[Ry2, Os2, Co2]Corrupt Dock Guard #1 - HP: 0/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30
[Ry2, Os2, Co1]Corrupt Dock Guard #2 - HP: 68/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30
[Ry2, Os2, Co1]Corrupt Dock Guard #3 - HP: 68/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30

 

Edited September 6 by Cordelia

[Oscar 0]

Oscar took only two things seriously. This was not one of those two things. After the initial shock of the Thorns causing his health to dip, things quickly played out just as they always did. Boring combat against enemies who either couldn't hit or could deal any real level of damage. This Quest was just another one of those hand-holding ones. The NPCs focused their attention on Ryland, sticking the man with their weapons instead of the actual tank of the party. He was almost insulted. Oscar had gone through great pains to build himself up to this level and now everything he'd worked towards didn't matter.

He couldn't Howl to gather their attention. Ryland would simply rip aggro.

All he could do was attack. And were he not an offensively aligned tank, he would have a very rough time indeed. His thoughts went back to the Players who relied on Thorns and Auras to clear content. They would have met with an impasse here. It would almost become necessary to kill Ryland off simply to clear the content.

It simply made a more boring interaction that much more droll.

But, it also afforded him time to mentally check out. Or, in this case, switch his focus elsewhere. Oscar hopped back, taking up a spot right next to Cordelia. "Hey," Oscar said. He bent to the side, turning his head fully away from the fight to deliver a soft kiss to her cheek. As he did, he blindly swing his weapon in the general direction of the enemy. The slicing winds mustered from the force of action collided with the group. It had been more than enough to reduce the two remaining Guards to shrapnel, though Calais held on. He was vaguely aware of this out of the corner of his eye. Oscar only cared about two things. And unlike this Quest, Cordelia was one of them.

"You're really cute today," Oscar added. "Just thought you should know."

Spoiler

Oscar - HP: 842/1104 [+50, -60] | EN: 85/124 | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4
Cordelia -  HP: 700/760 [-60] | EN: 110/110 [-19] | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE
Ryland - HP: 770/1000 | DMG: 0 | MIT: 20 |  EVA: 2

-
AoE-I vs Guard Captain Calais - ID: 230480 | BD: 7+5-2 | 26*18 = 468-100 = 368 DMG
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #1 - ID: x| BD: x 
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #2 - ID: 230481| BD: 6+5 | 26*18 = 468-100 = 368 DMG
AoE-I vs Corrupt Dock Guard #3 - ID: 230482| BD: 6+5 | 26*18 = 468-100 = 368 DMG

[Ry2, Os4, Co2]Guard Captain Calais - HP: 31/1000 | DMG: 250 | | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
[Ry2, Os2, Co2]Corrupt Dock Guard #1 - HP: 0/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30
[Ry2, Os2, Co1]Corrupt Dock Guard #2 - HP: 0/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30
[Ry2, Os2, Co1]Corrupt Dock Guard #3 - HP: 0/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30

 

Edited September 8 by Oscar

[Cordelia 0]

Watching Oscar fall back beside her, Cordelia couldn’t help but gesture to Ryland with an incredulous look. “Can you believe this? Who in their right mind would make a mechanic like…” she trailed off, words tumbling out of her mouth as gentle lips pressed against her cheek. Red bloomed on her features as she spun to face Oscar, mouth agape as she stumbled with broken sentences. “I-I… why… you can’t just..!” In the middle of a battle?! Her hands came up to cover her embarrassed face, completely ignoring the massacre of NPCs not even five feet away from her. 

Hesitant eyes peeked from the gaps in her fingers. “... thanks,” she murmured. “You’re also cute.” And she followed up with a flustered, “– too. Today. Cute today.” The agonized groan that came from her immediately after was guttural, and she'd suddenly turn around, bolting straight back into the fight with her face still flushed.

She shoved past Ryland, head still insistently buzzing with what the fuck was that and stupid, stupid, stupid. The utter mortification only drove her to make this one last attack as quick as possible, as if she was hoping she could disappear back into a slime the sooner that this quest was done. The guard captain would fall with a single slash- not like it had that much HP left anyway- and all that was left of it was a flurry of blue. 

Shuffling awkwardly back towards Oscar, she coughed into her arm. "... Well that's the first four down."

Spoiler

Oscar - HP: 842/1104 | EN: 85/124 | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4
Cordelia -  HP: 760/760 [+65] | EN: 85/110 [-6) | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE
Ryland - HP: 770/1000 | DMG: 0 | MIT: 20 |  EVA: 2
-
ST-1 vs Guard Captain Calais | ID: 230483 | BD: 4+5, hit | 27x15= 405-100= 305 DMG
-
[Ry2, Os4, Co3]Guard Captain Calais - HP: 0/1000 | DMG: 250 | | MIT: 100 | ACC: 3 | EVA: 2
[Ry2, Os2, Co2]Corrupt Dock Guard #1 - HP: 0/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30
[Ry2, Os2, Co1]Corrupt Dock Guard #2 - HP: 0/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30
[Ry2, Os2, Co1]Corrupt Dock Guard #3 - HP: 0/600 | DMG: 220 | MIT: 100 | ACC: 2 | THORNS 30

 

Edited September 9 by Cordelia

[Oscar 0]

“And here come the next four, right on cue,” Oscar said. 

Their fighting had attracted another group of rogues. These seemed to be more rough around the edges. With what little attention Oscar was giving the story, it was clear that these were the pirates that the guards were paying off. Ordinarily, Oscar might complain about things. How the quest gave him little time to catch his breath or regenerate his resources. But that would fall on deaf ears given how much disdain he had for their NPC escort.

He wondered whether there would be any additional reward if they kept the man alive. Ryland was annoying, but Oscar liked loot. That alone was enough to keep his head on his shoulders and his feet on the ground. But, looking at how quickly his health had been shredded, Oscar also realized that a little crowd control was in order. Thank the Lord for Martial Arts. He’d not had the opportunity to test out his new Sword Art yet. This seemed like the perfect occasion.

Oscar drove the tip of his blade into the metal catwalk beneath them. With a flick of his wrist, shards of metal and shrapnel burst out from the surface. Like a shotgun, it cut through the air and collided with the group. The damage it did was minimal, but each and every one of them had been successfully Stunned. Which, of course, would leave them wide open for Cordelia to finish them off.

But more importantly it gave Oscar more of an opportunity to watch her flustered reaction. He pivoted on his feet, placing himself between Cordelia and the enemy. He loomed large, beaming down at her as he watched the blood rush to her cheeks. “Adorable,” he said simply before whirling out of the way to give her a clear path to the still-reeling enemy.
 

Spoiler

Oscar - HP: 1079/1104 [+182, +55] | EN: 73/124 [+4 - 16] | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4
Cordelia -  HP: 760/760 [+65] | EN: 85/110 [-6) | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE
Ryland - HP: 770/1000 | DMG: 0 | MIT: 20 |  EVA: 2

TECH-F vs Skyrat Pirate #1 | ID: 231048 | BD: 9, crit PHS Active/Vampiric Activated | 27*8-35 = 181 DMG
TECH-F vs Skyrat Pirate #2 | ID: 231049 | BD: 1+6-1, hit | 26*8-70 = 138 DMG
TECH-F vs Skyrat Pirate #3 | ID: 231050 | BD: 6+6-1, hit | 26*8-70 = 138 DMG
TECH-F vs Skyrat Pirate #4 | ID: 231051 | BD: 4+6-1, hit | 26*8-70 = 138 DMG

[STUNNED] Skyrat Pirate #1 HP: 419/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[STUNNED] Skyrat Pirate #2 HP: 462/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[STUNNED] Skyrat Pirate #3 HP: 462/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[STUNNED] Skyrat Pirate #4 HP: 462/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

 

Edited September 11 by Oscar

[Cordelia 0]

The introduction of another four enemies had Cordelia leaning back on her heels, katana propped on top of her shoulder while she gave the group a look of disdain. Wave battles were stupid, she had decided. Strange that it took her all this time to figure that out considering she had to slice through dozens of zombies for a sword one time, but it was never too late for some character development, she supposes. 

Her attention was pulled by sparks and shrapnel that cut through the air like stray bullets, and Cordelia couldn’t help but stare in awe at the display. The impact in terms of health wasn’t anything behold, but the status effect was more than enough to make up for it. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen a technique like that before, much less one that involved using debris.

Obviously curious about something that looked really damn cool, she shifted her attention to Oscar. Instead, her words were trailing off before they even properly left her mouth as she was suddenly peering up at his beaming face. Caught off guard, she sputtered out an embarrassed “what?” before the flush on her cheeks returned tenfold. “Y-you..!” she began loudly, poking a flustered finger at his chest. “... Now you’re just doing it on purpose.” Her lips twisted into a pout as she hmphed (™) in another direction and resumed stance with her sword. She swallowed down her embarrassment, not wanting to put his efforts to waste with her dillydallying. “You’re telling me how you did that when we’re done,” she declared, pointing two fingers at him as if to say ‘I’m watching you’ before dashing off. 

With a push of a foot, she propelled herself into the air with undeniable grace. Onimaru glinted in the afternoon sun as she curved its blade, as if painting a picture of the moon in the sky. And keen eyes locked on the unsuspecting as she dove, wind whipping in her ears as the sword connected with the pirates’ bodies, leaving them with just a fraction of health left. Falling back before they could recover from their stunned state, she skidded to a halt beside Oscar.

She nudged him with her elbow. “I can't be stealing all the glory,” she joked. 

Spoiler

Oscar - HP: 1079/1104 | EN: 73/124 | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4
Cordelia -  HP: 760/760  | EN: 67/110 [-18] | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE
Ryland - HP: 770/1000 | DMG: 0 | MIT: 20 |  EVA: 2

AoE-2 vs Skyrat Pirate #1 | ID: 231071 | BD: 7 | 27x14= 378-70 = 308 DMG
AoE-2 vs Skyrat Pirate #2 | ID: 231072 | BD: 1+5, hit | 27x14= 378-70 = 308 DMG
AoE-2 vs Skyrat Pirate #3 | ID: 231073 | BD: 6, hit | 27x14= 378-70 = 308 DMG
AoE-2 vs Skyrat Pirate #4 | ID: 231074 | BD: 4+5, hit | 27x14= 378-70 = 308 DMG

[STUNNED] Skyrat Pirate #1 HP: 111/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[STUNNED] Skyrat Pirate #2 HP: 154/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[STUNNED] Skyrat Pirate #3 HP: 154/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
[STUNNED] Skyrat Pirate #4 HP: 154/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

 

Edited September 12 by Cordelia

[Oscar 0]

How quickly they fell back into old habits. Their teamwork had always been peerless. There was zero hesitation as Cordelia took advantage of the window Oscar provided. After the cutest of tantrums, of course. With a smile, Oscar took off after her. Weapon at the ready, the man sliced through the enemy host a split-second after the damage that Cordelia had dealt registered. The result was the whistle of two slashes, each in quick succession. Both attacks delivered with such speed and precision that the targets would have scarcely had time to react even if they weren’t stunned.

“Oh I’m absolutely doing this on purpose. Quests don’t do it for me anymore,” Oscar replied with a smirk. “Making you blush, on the other hand. That’s infinitely more interesting.” His weapon was sheathed. Looking around, you would think Oscar would help with the insanity that had engulfed the sky docks. Pirates were almost crawling out of the walls, so hellbent on taking Ryland as they were. Oscar didn’t like Ryland. The NPC was an idiosyncrasy. A hard veteran pleading with adventurers to solve his problems. Couldn’t get less immersive.

“I’m thinking we might want to take a break for energy though. I don’t remember quest mobs being this durable.” As Oscar spoke, his foot hooked around the bottom corner of a crate. As he yanked it toward him, the wooden cube spun like a top. Friction and an uneven surface caused the container to bounce lightly as it moved a scant few inches off of the ground. It came to rest just behind Oscar’s knees. And with a well-practiced precision, Oscar sat down - crossing his arms over his chest as he did.

In the middle of a Quest - indeed, even in the midst of combat - was certainly not the place for calm discussion. But Oscar never did things the proper way. And, sure, they could always chat later once the fires were out and the fight was over. But where was the fun in that? It didn’t hurt to send up a big middle finger to Kayaba by not taking anything that he was throwing at him seriously. He wondered if the cursed developer of the game was watching from on high. Would he be angry? Would he gnash his teeth in frustration as Oscar simply refused to fear him, his world, or anything else for that matter? Or would he find it funny and regard Oscar with an amused apathy.

Was this how people felt about their Gods?

Still, it would take a completely maladjusted lunatic to create a game like this. One either too emotional or not emotional enough. They would find out, at the end of it, which one it was.

For now, Oscar’s focus was rooted wholly upon Cordelia. It felt like an eternity since they’d last spoken. Even longer since they’d last taken on whatever this game had to threaten them with together. “So,” Oscar began. He was unsure how to phrase things. Whether he even should. Even from the vaguest of her explanations, what used to be a tender spot had been able to heal. But had it also been the same for her? Oscar would hate to hit a sore spot so soon after their reunion. And did he even want the answer to the question he was about to pose?

Of course he did. Curiosity was one of his few weaknesses. But not right now.

“I'm not gonna be giving up my secrets without a fight, love," Oscar continued with a grin. "You're gonna need to make me. And I'm really not sure you got it like that."

Spoiler

Oscar - HP: 1079/1104 | EN: 68/124 [+4, -19] | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4
Cordelia -  HP: 760/760  | EN: 67/110 [-18] | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE
Ryland - HP: 770/1000 | DMG: 0 | MIT: 20 |  EVA: 2

AOE-1 vs Skyrat Pirate #1 | ID: 232074 | BD: 2+6, DEAD
AoE-1 vs Skyrat Pirate #2 | ID: 232075 | BD: 5+6, DEAD
AoE-1 vs Skyrat Pirate #3 | ID: 232076 | BD: 2+6, DEAD
AoE-1 vs Skyrat Pirate #4 | ID: 232077 | BD: 10, crit, DEAD

Skyrat Pirate #1 HP: 0/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
Skyrat Pirate #2 HP: 0/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
Skyrat Pirate #3 HP: 0/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1
Skyrat Pirate #4 HP: 0/600 | DMG: 250 | MIT: 70 | ACC: 2 | EVA: 1

 

Edited September 18 by Oscar

[Cordelia 0]

Cordelia huffed a hot puff of air as she sheathed her sword. The battle-heavy air had come to a standstill. The pirates had been reduced to nothing but blue fragments after their synchronized attack, and what would otherwise be a thrilling sensation from fighting alongside Oscar again was instead reduced to thoughtless flustering on her end. “You’re unbelievable,” she sputtered, red-faced. “Absolutely incorrigible.” 

Surprise was missing from her features as he suddenly announced that it was time for a break and sat himself on some crate atop the ship. Right in the middle of the quest. In the middle of battle, even. If it were any other person, Cordelia would've thrown a fit. But this is Oscar we're talking about. It was simply just Oscar being Oscar. Cordelia didn’t need this abrupt reunion to remember that much. 

Wordlessly, she plopped herself down on the free space next to him, a blatantly fake and unamused expression plastered all over her face. “I’m so glad you at least find me entertaining, darling,” Cordelia drawled. Even if she was still failing to hide the pink that dusted her cheeks, something compelled her to continue being absolutely stupid. “Whatever would you do if I wasn’t here to help you pass the time?” She threw her hands up with the poorly done theatrics before leaning against him, shoulder to shoulder. A few seconds passed before her lame facade broke, and a vivacious laugh bubbled from her chest. 

She missed this.

When her life felt less of a grind to get out of this game and more about living. Even after letting loose and slowing down her pace with leveling, life never felt quite the same as it used to. The naivety that came with being weak had spoiled her. Now, the heavy burdens on her shoulder ate away at her like parasites, and the emptiness they left behind felt like something she could never recover from. So the banter, while at her expense, was comforting. A helpful reminder that she was just more than ones and zeroes and that her life was more than just some fucked up digital reality some guy deciding to play God created. It felt real, and it made her feel real. She could compare it to coming home. Nostalgia and all that bullshit. She chased that kind of feeling, no matter how out of reach it may be. 

It just made interactions like this all the sweeter, even if a certain someone was getting dangerously close to her last straw. She feared she might snap soon. Lovingly, of course. "Seriously?" Cordelia replied incredulously, too easily falling for Oscar's bait in her blind pride. "I totally 'got it like that'! You decide the time and place, and I'll be there to hand your ass to you."

 

Post Action: Concentration | +4(4) Energy
Cordelia -  HP: 760/760  | EN: 87/110 (+20) | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE

Edited September 18 by Cordelia

[Oscar 0]

Their light-hearted banter made one forget that they were in the midst of a very chaotic situation. Other Players had a tendency to read into the NPCs. Engage with them as if they were real people. Oscar, on the other hand, saw them for what they actually were. A balm for the painful reality they were stuck in. Created by some artificial intelligence to keep the Players from completely losing their minds. They were a balm that Oscar neither needed nor wanted. To him, they were set dressing. At best, something to interact with as little as possible to get to his end goal.

Cordelia, however, was a soothing presence that he had missed ever-so-dearly. Her laughter, her teasing. The way she pouted as Oscar pressed her buttons. The bliss was so intense it almost hurt. Everything was simply so easy with her. He didn’t have to force himself. Didn’t need to pretend and play nice or hide who and what he was. For some reason he couldn’t make sense of, she stuck around. The last few months notwithstanding, of course. But that went about as well as it could have and he wasn’t about to call sour grapes now.

“I would menace some other poor, unfortunate soul,” Oscar said with a grin. “I suppose the entire game should be happy you decided to fall on your sword and become the most adorable target.”

As she mocked his choice of words, insisting that she ‘got it like that,’ Oscar cocked an eyebrow. Of course her mind defaulted to a duel. He had to bite back a laugh as his jab sailed right over her head. “Do you now?” Oscar asked as his grin morphed into a smirk. “Then I suppose we’ll need to make time and put that to the test.” Oscar rose to his feet, pushing off of the crate he was using as a seat and rising back to his full height. He strode over, leaning down to kiss her softly on the cheek. He lingered there, lips so close to her jawbone. Only then did he allow himself a soft chuckle. And he spoke, his voice a breathy whisper inches from her ear.

“I don’t doubt it. But how certain are you that I was talking about a duel?”
 

Spoiler

Oscar - HP: 1079/1104 | EN: 72/124 [+4] | Damage: 26 | Mitigation: 212 | Accuracy: 5 | Evasion: 3 | Battle Healing: 55 | Loot Die: 5 | AA | PHASE| VAMP-O: 182 | REC: 4

 

Edited September 18 by Oscar

[Cordelia 0]

“Like I said, you decide the time and place,” Cordelia began, eyes following Oscar as he stood up. The kiss on her cheek was unsurprising. It wasn’t the first time he’s done it today and she’s certain it wouldn’t be the last. The lingering, however, was completely unexpected, and she tried to stammer out another response before her words were suddenly being put into reconsideration.

“Oh.”

Cordelia stared straight ahead, realization dawning on her in tsunami-like waves. “Oh,” she repeated in utter horror. His words echoed in her head, bouncing off those hollow walls like bees in a jar. “Oh my–”

She took it back. She wished none of this was real. Fuck the nostalgia. Fuck the sweetness. The ledge of the ship was starting to look real tempting now that she was thinking about it. In fact, it would be better if she just jumped off right now. Yes, now– completely gone from this plane of existence and to hopefully be never be seen again. Forget this, and forget the stupid quest. Kayaba, hear her prayers and do her a favor; strike her down as she stands and she’ll pledge her total allegiance to your cause. 

“I-I can’t believe you..!” She grabbed Oscar by the face before pushing him away, a thick layer of embarrassment coating her expression as she struggled to find a proper response through the blankness happening in her head. How had she fumbled that bad? Was she truly so dense that she couldn’t even pick out a simple innuendo? What the fuck is wrong with you, Cordelia? 

The slap from her hands to her face echoed a little too loudly to not be considered an act of self-destruction. “You’re terrible,” she mumbled, voice muffled through the palms cupped over her mouth. “Absolutely terrible, I say! I cannot believe you did that.” Cordelia groaned in dismay, leaning so far back that she flopped over on the crate. If she even cared, there’d be no signs because she just continued to mutter nonsense into her hands. Her knees pressed close to her chest as she lay on her side. There was simply no recovering from this, she decided. Let her rot on this stupid crate for the rest of her days. That’s a better fate than having to face Oscar after that shitshow of a reaction.

 

Cordelia -  HP: 760/760  | EN: 91/110 (+4) | 27 DMG | 65 MIT | 7 ACC | 5 EVA | BH:44 | 17 HLY BLS | 16 HLY | ABS. ACC | PHASE