[PP - 01] <<Earning a Living with Siren/Duet in the making!>>

[Escudo de Protection 0]

Red hair bounced amongst the smaller few of the players as he was almost a head taller than most average players within SAO. He looked nothing like them, and they managed to avoid him at best for his natural scowl. With hands shoved in his pockets, he was on his way to a place where he had read that he could start by earning a living. Now, he had to actually think what he was potentially good at. He was a man filled with a variety of many possibilities.

The Town of Beginnings was sunny today with a chance of cloudy overhead. The cool brisk wind touched his face as it coursed through the town streets blowing his hair back. He thought if it weren't for the fact he was trapped in this vicious game, he would be happy to stay here for the rest of eternity. Reality set in as he realized he had still his familia to attend to back in the actual world. He was left wondering what they may be doing until he stepped into the alley way where most jobs were allowed to find.

Red eyes scanned the surveying shops as he listened to the clangs of the blacksmith, the shouts of freshly baked bread, the advertisement of potions, and singing. Singing? Eyebrow perked a bit glancing around to find the source. It was a great rock melody that he enjoyed. Secretly, he had a decent voice to sing and play an instrument but how would that earn him a living? Enchanted, boots would echo against the cobblestone while traversing around players who were also in the same yet different predicament. "¿De dónde viene esa música?" He asked himself as he closed his eyes walking around listening for the music. Dangerous, but he could feel around him with his senses. 

Escudo De Protection | HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 4 | MIT:18 | ACC:3                                                                                                                            

Edited September 1 by Escudo de Protection

[Siren 0]

Siren was no stranger to the Town of Beginnings, she had explored nearly every inch of this godforsaken city. Lately, she had been pondering which profession to take up. Performer seemed like a natural choice after all, she and Dahlia had spent their childhood pretending to be rockstars, always fighting over who would be the lead vocalist.

As she strutted through the city, she hummed a tune softly to herself. "The shop should be around here somewhere," she mused, glancing around. The distant sound of a rock and roll song caught her attention. "Now that's a beat I can vibe with," she thought, letting the music guide her steps.

She began to sing along quietly, her voice almost hypnotic in its rhythm. The day's weather was perfect, with a gentle breeze playing through her hair, and she felt completely in sync with her surroundings. But lost in the moment, she didn’t notice the tall red-haired man in her path until she bumped into him. "Oh my gosh, darlin', I'm so sorry," she exclaimed, looking up at him with an apologetic smile. Her scarlet eyes sparkled in the sunlight, "I should've been watching where I was going."

* * *

Spoiler

Character Sheet:

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Siren | Level 1 |HP: 20/20 | EN: 20/20 | DMG: 1

Equipment:

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• None Yet

Skills:

Spoiler

Armor:

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• None Yet

Combat Mastery:

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• None Yet

Battle Skills:

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• None Yet

Weapon:

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None Yet

Addons:

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• None Yet

Mods:

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None Yet

Extra:

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• None Yet

 

Battle Ready Inventory:

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• 3 Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP)

 

Edited September 8 by Siren

[Escudo de Protection 0]

He carelessly bumped into a young woman and looked down opening his eyes. His own scarlet eyes would look into hers but his more of a darker crimson explored the visage before him. He wasn't too sure what to make of it being startled out of his own trajectory to the music. Normally very good at avoiding people, was he inept in this case? The sudden stop had fortunately made it to their destination at the same time. His scowl became an awkward apologetic smile with right hand raising behind his head to scratch it while speaking. "Lo siento, senorita." He spoke in his Spanish accent. 

His eyes were closed as he bowed his head to her. It wasn't long before he opened them staring at the woman's figure and jerked up straight away. It wasn't a npc he ran into. It was an actual person. He took one step back as he realized the closeness after the collision. "I was looking around for the musica and accidently ran into you, senorita. Please accept my humble apologies." He spoke also realizing she had a distinct accent. Curiosity would take place but soon squashed as this not the time or place to ask questions.

With a simple deduction, he concluded that most players here would be looking to satisfy their need for a profession and soon he would inquire about that for now and ease into other questions later. "Are you looking for the same shop? I hear you can perform for a living so that is why I am here." His politeness did not match the cold face scowl demeanor that he exuded. Perhaps she would not notice? Or at least ignore it for the time being. 

[Siren 0]

Siren's face turned bright red. "No, no, no, please don't be sorry sugar. It was all me. I got distracted while running around." She stood a tad bit shorter than he was. "The music seems to be coming from the shop over there. I've heard the shopkeep is a rockstar." She pointed to a shop just a little down the road. "Yes sir, I'm also heading that way. You wanna tag along with me darling? I could use a handsome man like you for some company."

She held a hand out to him, "My username is Siren. Feel free to call me whatever you want to sugar." She'd held her composure in her voice, but she knew her face was red. She could feel the heat crawling over her cheeks. She adjusted her glasses in attempt to wave away the flushed feeling. To her dismay, she still felt the heat on her cheeks. Calm yourself Angel. Stop getting all flustered.

"Anyway, shall we head over there and get this quest started?" She winked at him and smiled.

[Escudo de Protection 0]

He was distracted in every way possible looking at her and around them. Her voice was American. It was easily distinguishable due to the fact he had dealt with many Americans before in his past. Her words seemed to echo a bit before he actually started catching on what she was saying. "Ah yes, musica is what I have done in my spare time when I was younger and trying to keep out of trouble. I would love to escort you, Senorita." 

Hand would reach up to hers and he would take it to press it to his lips. His host ability for the evening like his mother came out easily as breathing air. Needless to say, he had an assorted and colorful past that dealt with a variety of customers. "People call me Reese. I prefer to be called Reese despite my name being Escudo. Ah, that means Shield." He started to escort her to the building. He wouldn't ignore the wink as it caused a crimson flush to creep on the upper portion of his cheeks.

Hand would push open the door to the shop where the music got louder. He kept the woman's hand in his hand like a gentle piece of glass that could break. He listened and appreciated the music. It was glorious as he felt that the music was similar to what he would play when he could, but he could also sense that the musician was diverse in his music taste. "¡Qué hermosa melodía!" He exclaimed. "Shall we do this quest together?" 

He looked up at Landon and initiated the quest about gathering materials and looking to help him with requests. It looked like it would be a little easier. 
 

[Siren 0]

Siren smiled as he accepted her request to escort her on this quest. As Reese kissed her hand her face became flushed and her breathing quickened. She couldn't make the smile on her face go away, he was too damn charming. "Well Reesie-piecey, I'll let you take the lead." As they walked with her hands in his, her eyes met his, "Also if you don't wanna call me Siren, I also go by Angel."

As they walked in the shop they were greeted by a talented musician, Reese immediately accepted his quest and Siren followed suit. "I'd love to do this quest with you. Lets head out to the fields outside town." She waved at Landon with her free hand, "Thanks Landon, we'll be back!"

As they left the shop, Siren slightly tightened her grip on Reese's hand. It wasn't a very long walk, but she was gonna make the most of it. She walked at a slower pace, trying to see if he would attempt to outpace her, let her lead him, or stay at her pace. The demeanor on his face is way different than the way he acted, she couldn't figure him out and she desperately wanted to. She glanced up at him every once in a while, trying to see if she could see any change in his expression. Research time.

[Escudo de Protection 0]

Now the real question is how do you find material in conjunction with being a performer? He was left with this question as the two traversed the town's terrain. Perhaps it was a crystal that could be recorded to. He did manage to snatch an acoustic guitar for the road borrowing it with consent.  He had noticed a variety of crystals that would be needed to go out. They would have to search. Hand would guide the young lady's hand as he spoke her name. "Ángel? Un nombre muy bonito para una mujer guapa." He would speak in his natural accent to her. "Do you know Spanish? If no, I can translate for you." 

He kept in pace with her as the sensation of her squeezing her hand was felt. He wouldn't let the dainty hand leave his side for an escort would never leave a partner by themselves. The nickname she had provided him still crossed his mind as a candy that Americans would eat and at the American base in Spain would import such candies to them. A slightly toothy fanged smile would appear across his face as he was beside her. 

"We can look to find something and make a song. I can play the guitar and sing a bit but mostly in Spanish, Princesa." He addressed as they were coming up on the exit of the town. 

Edited September 2 by Escudo de Protection

[Siren 0]

Siren let out a giggle as he spoke spanish to her. "I don't know much other than a few words. I may not understand it but oh honey do I like it." As she spoke, her tone became a little more sultry. She fanned herself with her free hand, attempting to cool herself off. Her other hand wiggled a little, she managed to free herself from his grasp for but a moment before interlocking her fingers in his. "Much better." 

"Honestly, from what I heard from a friend. We just need materials. We can search for them or we can fight things. But with us being so low level, so I'd suggest we stray from fighting things." 

She smirked and leaned up to his ear, "Please keep the nicknames up by the way, everything you say to me sounds so much prettier in Spanish.” She caressed his cheek gently with her free hand and led him off toward a random spot in the fields where they could gather materials.

Edited September 3 by Siren

[Escudo de Protection 0]

Her hand touched his face, and a slight crimson hue would surface on his upper cheek. Listening to her words, he would translate what he said accordingly. "I see. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman, mamacita" Spanish accent rolled off his tongue as he laced those fingers after they returned back to their place with their skin touching. As she whispered in his ear, it would be returned in fashion with faint breath brushing across her skin. "Don't you worry. Un caballero siempre cumple su promesa." He winked at her after returning to a standing position. 

They would walk once again as he would let her stew upon his words. Perhaps she could translate what he spoke so he could discover her degree of Spanish. He heeded her words well as they stuck to the inner limits of the glades outside of the wall of the beginnings where no beasts could be seen. 

With a moment, he took a breath of air and looked around to see if he could spy a material. Instead, he found a virtual flower and stared at it for a brief moment. He leaned over and plucked it exposing that pink flower to the surface. Ensuring nothing else was on it after inspection, he adorned it on her hair tucked behind her ear. "Perfecto. A living diosa." He would place both hands together in almost a prayer like stance before those fingers would slide back to what seemed to be a comfortable position with hers. 

[Siren 0]

Siren felt her heart skip a beat. This man had charmed her by barely lifting a finger. As she felt his breath against her skin a chill ran up her spine. She was struggling to find the words. "I-I.." She took a deep breath. "Translation please darling, I know it was something about a promise."

As he placed the flower in her hair, a wave passed over her. She'd never felt this feeling before. As he spoke, she felt her cheeks flush. "I-I only understood the first part. You're calling me something perfect. ...I think." As he translated for her this time, she met her eyes to his. She kept her eyes focused on him, as they darted back and forth from his beautiful crimson eyes and his sexy mischievous smirk. She almost couldn't believe this man was real.

Her hand that wasn't intertwined with his brushed gently against the flower. She was mentally noting his facial expression changes. The sour expression that he had when they first met seemed to diminish as she caught him smiling at her every so often. 

"If my memory is correct, we can just kind of look around and maybe find some materials. Like maybe we can get something from that tree over there." She pointed to a tree nearby and began leading him to it. She'd spotted an apple on it and attempted to reach for it. As she did, only her fingertips were able to graze it. "Reesey~ Can you grab that for me sweetheart?"

[Escudo de Protection 0]

She asked for a translation, and he let it linger for a moment. He wasn't ignoring her intentionally, no. He was looking for a place for them to while searching around them. It was when he noticed that she requested an apple that he would reach for it and hold said apple. He brushed it making sure it was clean for her and handed it to her while letting go of her fingers to allow her unrestricted movement. "Ah, a gentleman always keeps his promise. I, for one, tend to take these very serious." 

After he had translated, he would soon be looking for that material she had mentioned. He had heard such things before as he looked for that material. He had successfully found the material in question before gazing up at her. "Diosa? Ah, simply, a perfect living goddess. An anomaly that stands with us mortals here. Muy raro." 

He was graced with her touch once more but only by her fingertips guiding her along to shaded area's and away from creatures. "Let us keep out from the sunlight, I'm already blinded every time I may look at you. And I like that name, Reesey. It sounds very heavenly coming from you, Diosa." 

In some rare instances, when women did choose him to escort them around the city when he was in Spain, his demeanor would change drastically. He was a well-mannered young man with a desire to ensure the best time and providing quality service. The difference here was that he wasn't getting paid to do so. In this case, it was a natural way of ensuring a pleasant time with someone who shared a similar passion in music. Also, those words he spoke were not false. She was an embodiment of beauty, and he would at least, attempt to try.

Spoiler

Action: Material Gathering Success

229536    8    6    16    10    Escudo De Protection Success

 

Edited September 3 by Escudo de Protection

[Siren 0]

Siren took the apple that he handed her and took a bite, looking up at him. "Thank you sweetheart." She offered him a bite. "Would you like some Reesey?" She spoke soft and sweet to him. "So you think I'm a goddess? Well that's a very nice compliment coming from you sweetie, especially because you look like someone just pulled you from my dreams. If I wasn't sure that I was awake, I'd definitely think I was dreaming." She bit her lip and looked away from him.

"Let us keep out from the sunlight, I'm already blinded every time I may look at you." As Reese said that her heart fluttered and her breath quickened. Oh my god he's so smooth with his words. She attempted to keep her composure. If it weren't for her breathing deeply, she'd have swooned at how smooth he was. She really enjoyed hearing him talk. She couldn't tell if it was his accent, his tone, or both. "Por que no los dos, I guess." She covered her mouth. "Shit! I didn't mean to say that out loud." She tried to search for some materials hoping that he wouldn't question what she was thinking about. Her face was extremely red. Why did I say that out loud?! 

To no avail, she was struggling to find materials. She let out a sigh. This is gonna be a long one.

* * *

Spoiler

Material Gathering

ID: 229546 | LD: 2
Fail. No Materials Gathered.

* * *

Spoiler

Current Gathering

Siren:
0/5
Escudo:
1/5

 

Edited September 4 by Siren

[Escudo de Protection 0]

With the apple raised to his lips, he would take a bite from the apple that sat in her hand. Eyes looked into hers as she offered it, as it held a deep gaze to her. It was an intense moment due to the nature of the action. He slowly chewed on it as he listened to her words about how he seemed to be taken out of her dreams. He swallowed the remnants of the apple preparing to answer. "You're dream man, eh? That could be arranged, mamacita." 

It was when she began to flounder about that he was wondering what she meant that phrase for. She was thinking of something. Something dubious perhaps. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked at her. "And what pray tell are you thinking about, diosa...? Am I running through your mind, as Americanas say?" He wouldn't let her forget this moment. "I could stay there if you wish." He hinted with a sly smile. A fox. 

What an offer. He wasn't one to do such things but a pretty woman like this only came once in a few times in a lifetime. He searched for materials; however, no luck came to him. It was alright though. He was having such a good time with this moment that he wouldn't mind so much if this was all they did. It was, after all, an exchange of banter and flirts.

 

Spoiler

Action: Material Search Fail

ID: 229621 Roll: 4

 

 

Edited September 4 by Escudo de Protection

[Siren 0]

She honestly wasn't expecting him to take a bite with it in her hand but she didn't mind. She honestly thought he was going to grab the apple from her hand.

"W-We don't have to talk about what I was thinking about. It's nothing." She hoped he wouldn't press further but she had a feeling he wouldn't let it go so easily. "Oh? You wanna stay in my mind?" She smirked, using his own words against him. "That can be arranged."

She stayed in the shade as per his request, but began picking flowers and weaving them into a small crown.. Hoping it would turn up with a material, but no dice. She was struggling with this quest and if it wasn't for Reese being there, she might actually have gotten outwardly mad. But he was here, and his presence was so very calming to Angel. She was thinking of the best way to approach him coming onto her when a lightbulb flickered on.

With their eyes till locked, she smirked. "So that can be arranged huh? You want me that bad? You want this diosa all to yourself, don't you Reesey?" She smirked at him, waiting to see if she gauged a reaction out of him but nothing. He was very hard to read, much unlike her romance novels. "So, you really want to be with your diosa? How about you prove it Reesey? We're in no danger out here so what's the harm."

 * * *

Spoiler

Material Gathering

ID: 229648 | LD: 3
Fail. No Materials Gathered.

* * *

Spoiler

Current Gathering

Siren:
0/5
Escudo:
1/5

 

Edited September 4 by Siren

[Escudo de Protection 0]

Having been a trained professional, he had dealt with all sorts of cliental in the past. However, it was a way to get the cliental to use their money to extend the time needed to be with him. In this case, what was he actually doing? Her words seemed to scratch a mental itch behind a barrier that always stood. A satisfactory scratch that she came to claw at. A perfect game of cat and mouse. "I think the only one in danger might be you, mamacita." He leaned over with his crossed arms to whisper into her ear. "Remember, we can do all these things behind a door, by a tree, and all sorts of places without prying eyes." 

He leaned back and slipped his fingers around her hand to guide her down the path wall along the wall. He was not scared, no. This was the thrill of the hunt. Thats what this was as the two seemed to be chasing each other to see who would deal the first blow. He had already taken it this far and would see it to the end. A simple first meeting to this? Perhaps it was indeed a blessing in disguise.

No material was found, but at this rate, it would be fine. They could simply encourage each other and get to know each other. "To prove something to you, diosa? I have all the time in the world. Hazlos esperar siempre... Mamacita. It will be worthwhile. Lo prometo" He slowed down to be beside her extremely close to her body. 

 

Spoiler

Action: Gathering Material

ID: 229651 Result: 9 Fail

 

Edited September 4 by Escudo de Protection

[Siren 0]

 "I don't think I'm in danger," she tilted her head as a smirk grew on her face. "Just because I'm flustered doesn't mean I can't handle my own darlin." As he leaned in and whispered in her ear, a chill ran up her spine. As he spoke that wave returned and her cheeks grew red once again. She was flustered and he was using it to his advantage. He took her hand and she followed him. She would follow this man to the ends of the earth if he asked her to. This feeling was intoxicating, and she couldn't get enough. A thought popped into her head, she smiled and brought his hand up to her lips and placed a soft kiss on it. As she pulled away she noticed she left a prominent red kiss mark on his hand. Hmm. A little revenge for earlier I guess.

"It'll be worthwhile? Oh, that's exciting." She smiled, her composure having returned. A burning heat still radiated from her cheeks but she had finally calmed down. That was until she felt him get closer and closer. As he closed their distance she looked at him, wondering what he was going to do next. What is going on in that beautiful mind? What are you planning? As she walked alongside him, she tripped on a small rock, and as she did the screen that said she got a material popped up. Freakin Kayaba.

* * *

Spoiler

Material Gathering

ID: 229696| LD: 15
Success! 1 Material Found!

* * *

Spoiler

Current Gathering

Siren:
1/5
Escudo:
1/5

 

Edited September 5 by Siren

[Escudo de Protection 0]

Her trip automatically caused the tank to turn around. Hands immediately grabbed onto her as he stared at her for a minute holding her close to her body. They could feel the breath off of each other as the space was minimal. His lips almost grazed hers but offered a smile slowly helping her up. Back of his hand that didn't have the imprint of her lips upon them touched her cheek wiping away anything that may have caught there. Cautiously, he examined her being trying to see if had injured himself having forgotten he was in VR. 

"Mamacita, you must be careful. I could always carry you if you need." Offer was given as he still felt the lingering pressure of her lips upon the back of his hand. What to do, he thought. He lowered his gaze to the ground and locked around leaning over to examine the contents but only to find nothing. Opportunity knocked as he took her hand and kissed it and kept it there while keeping that gaze upon her eyes in a seductive way. With that, he closed his eyes kissing it one more time. 

After that, he was in a knelt position before her. "Always exciting. Worth the wait, diosa. El rojo se adapta a tu hermoso rostro." He winked at her. He'd let the wind brush against their skin for the moment needed to be incapsulated in their memory. 

 

Spoiler

Action: Gathering Material

ID: 229738  Roll: 13 Fail

 

Edited September 4 by Escudo de Protection

[Siren 0]

As she began to fall, Siren felt Reese's strong arms wrap around her and catch her. She held onto him tight, she wasn't usually clumsy but she also usually wasn't one to just not watch all of her surroundings. He managed to get her to let her guard down. As their lips got closer, she closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss. When she didn't feel his lips embrace hers she was slightly disappointed, but he gently wiped her face with his hand. "I'm alright honey. I promise." She looked at him, noticing him worriedly looking her over to make sure she wasn't hurt at all.

"I wouldn't mind, but I also won't make you do it. If you want to carry me, you have my full permission." She wanted to ease his worries about her. She let out a small giggle as Reese picked up the rock she'd tripped on and found no material. Just as quickly, she shushed herself as he kissed her hand again. Their eyes locked once more, and her heart beat quickened again. As he kissed her hand again, she began breathing slowly to not lose her composure. 

He kneeled down in front of her and she took her free hand and ran it through his hair. "Oh, is there more?" She listened to him speak spanish once again. "Something red? I'm not sure what you said to me honey." After taking a second, and looking at him as he looked up at her, she pulled him into a hug. As she did she realized his face was buried in her stomach and she pulled away.

She got down to his level and looked his face over. "I didn't hurt you now, did I? I'd feel mighty bad if I squished you too hard." Siren was very close to his face, making sure there were no marks or anything on his face from her pulling him in to the hug. 

 * * *

Spoiler

Material Gathering

ID: 229815| LD: 11
Fail. No Materials Found.

* * *

Spoiler

Current Gathering

Siren:
1/5
Escudo:
1/5

 

Edited September 5 by Siren

[Escudo de Protection 0]

When she examined his face for anything, he felt something. A sensation occurred that he could not describe entirely. At best, it was a sense of longing. There was no crime in this world, no prostitution, no drugs, no money laundering, or anything of the underworld crimes he had to deal with in reality. There was no search for a meal here. You ate here because it was a natural thing to do but famine didn't exist. His breath got caught up in the moment as the man's red hues stared directly into hers. "Red suits your face, mamacita." Soft voice whispered into the air. 

Hand raised a moment to cup her cheek a bit and he offered a slight smile to her. "I'm afraid if I were to do so, people would get the wrong idea of us. Not that I mind, of course." He hadn't moved from that very spot yet. The moment was stopped in time for him. The wind blew over the nestling of the tree causing the leaves to fall. Other than that, nothing moved. He held onto her gaze as he went to speak.

No words escaped his lips. He could say nothing in the moment. Why did this moment feel so different than any other moment in his life? Rewinding to all the moments he had spent nights with those lonely women. Beautiful women who adorned him with money and asked for his company. Those women who had no luck with their own man that they were willing to throw thousands away to a professional escort. She was different. She was not seeking to use him. She was not trying to buy him. She just wanted to be here for him. That was the difference.

"No te preocupes por mí, pero quiero probar algo..." With that, he leaned in and kissed her. A kiss he would embed in his memory. It was he who faltered. It was he who actively sought this moment and perhaps she did to. His body leaned into hers as he cupped her cheek enjoying the taste of her lips. Eyes closed and his right hand fell to the ground. Right hand grasped the rock which turned out to be a crystal material. Lucky in two ways. 

Suddenly, he broke away breathless and stared at her. 

Spoiler

Action: Gathering Material

ID: 229816 Roll: 18  Success

 

Edited September 5 by Escudo de Protection
Material Search Roll

[Siren 0]

 As he spoke, she let out a soft, "Hu-" before she was interrupted by his lips gracing hers. She felt the electricity course through her body and ran her fingers through his hair. The kiss was electric, and she could've sworn she heard fireworks off in the distance. She'd never felt this kind of passion before, this kiss was somehow more intoxicating than any words he spoke so far. She didn't want it to end.

The bubble that had formed around them ended as Reese pulled away from the kiss and their eyes locked once more. She attempted to catch her breath, her heart was in her throat. "I-I.." She stuttered, attempting to form the words. "M-My goodness. Wow." Talk about an interesting first quest. She'd never think she'd find anything like this. Much less in a video game. But she was happy. 

She never thought she'd recover from her last heartbreak, and here she was slowly falling in love once again. This man was capturing her heart, and she was sure he knew it. She wrapped her arms around him softly and rested her forehead on his. She'd not found any materials this time around, she glanced around but nothing. Though she wasn't complaining.

* * *

Spoiler

Material Gathering

ID: 229833 | LD: 6
Fail. No Materials Found.

* * *

Spoiler

Current Gathering

Siren:
1/5
Escudo:
2/5

 

Edited September 6 by Siren