[F01/PP]Fallout

[Oscar 0]

What we got here is a failure to communicate.

The iconic line played through his head, thick high-pitched Southern drawl and all. It had all been going quite well, up until the end there. Not that Oscar was complaining. He'd got the rise he wanted, though perhaps not in the method he sought. It was a short jaunt to the plaza in the Town of Beginnings. Oscar - quite literally - had the need to cool off. He leaned against the side of the fountain nestled in the center of the plaza and let out a heavy sigh. Dipping his hands into the cool water, he cupped them together and flicked his wrists. Water rose up and splashed him in the face, stinging and refreshing him with its chill. He repeated the motion two more times and then turned around, leaning against the stones as he rubbed the nape of his neck. The cool sensations caused goosebumps to prickle up. The man ran his fingers through his dark hair, flicking droplets of water about as he took a deep breath.

Functional calm was what he was seeking. And that was what he found. Oscar didn't have a justification on what possessed him to so suddenly decide *that* had been the correct approach to their duel. But neither did he feel all that compelled to apologize for it. It had been a sudden, knee-jerk opportunity that he seized upon. Perhaps ill-advised, but Oscar had learned to throw himself fully into the moment - any moment. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out what had set her off. He supposed he'd find out soon enough.

  Reveal hidden contents

Name: Oscar

True Tier: 10

Level: 34

Paragon Level: 57

HP: 960/960

EN: 128/128

 

Stats:

Damage: 24

Mitigation: 142

Accuracy: 3

Evasion: 1

Battle Healing: 

Loot Die: 8

Stealth Rating: -5

PHASEREC: 4

HLY: 16

BLI: 32/-20 

Equipped Gear:

Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 

  - <<DIVINE RANCOR>> T4 KATANA - HOLY/HOLY/PHASE/BLIGHT

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

  - Charge

  - Energist

  - Extended Weight Limit

  - Heavy Armor R5

  - Katana R5

  - Lock Picking R3

  - Quick Change

  - Searching R5

 

Extra Skills:

  - Concentration

  - Forgotten King's Authority

  - Meditation

  - Parry

  - Survival

 

Inactive Extra Skills:

 

Addons:

  - Ferocity

  - Iron Skin

  - Precision

  - Reveal

  - Stamina

 

Mods:

  - Impetus

  - Night Vision

 

Inactive Mods:

 

Battle Ready Inventory:

  - <<CRYSTAL OF DIVINE LIGHT>> ID: 236066 x

  - <<GLOVES OF CAERUS>> T1 LIGHT ARMOR//3 LD x

  - <<Kyūketsuki>> T4 KATANA//ABS.ACC/PHASE/VAMP2  x

  - <<RHINO'S HORN>> ID: 236068 x

  - <<SANCTITY'S RUIN>> T4 KATANA - FROSTBITE/BLEED/BLIGHT/BURN x

  - <<TELEPORTATION CRYSTAL>> x

  - <<TROLL'S BLOOD>> ID: 236067 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:

  - Kumatetsu

Wedding Ring:

 

Crafting Profession:

 - Cooking[5280exp] R10

Gathering Profession:

 - Fishing[100exp] R2

 

Edited February 13 by Oscar

[Lessa 1]

The Town of Beginnings was no New York City. There were no skyscrapers, the pizza didn't come close, and she hadn't seen a single Naked Cowboy the entire time she'd been in Aincrad. Still, they did both share the characteristic of never sleeping. No matter the day, no matter the hour, someone wandered the streets. Often many someones, and the small parks and plazas that dotted the city saw their fair share of activity. For that reason, it was suspiring that Oscar had managed to find one without any other Players milling about. Or perhaps he'd simply scared them all off. He did cut an incredibly imposing figure. A figure she'd had on top of her multiple times over the past hour.

Grinding her teeth against the thought, Lessa focused instead on the slap of her boots on cobblestone as she stalked across the plaza. Night had fallen completely by then, plunging the floor in darkness, and ushering in cooler temperatures. The day had been a hot one, cooking beneath a sun with relatively little cloud-cover, and she'd spent the entirety of it watching her friends duke it out on the dueling stage. Surely, that was why her skin felt so raw, and why it seemed to tingle where it was exposed to the night air. Why her cheeks felt so flushed. Toooootally not lingering emotion. She'd absolutely gotten her shit together. Because that was what she was good at, after all. Lessa, the one who always has her shit together.

"Hey," she greeted. It felt weird to throw out something so casual after their duel had been anything but. Hell, she might as well have hit him with the "yo" or "s'up?" But she came to a halt a few feet from him, hooked her thumbs in her belts, and stared at a spot just below his chin. "Everyone's going out for food, so I don't have a lot of time. And if you want to come, you can."

  Reveal hidden contents

Lessa | HP: 980/980 | EN: 130/130 | DMG: 18 | MIT:127 | THORNS:72 | BH:29 | HB: 39 | MENDING: 2 | REC: 8 | HLY: 8                                                                                                                            

"Name: Lessa, Guardian of Aincrad True Tier: 10
Level: 34
Paragon Level: 60
HP: 980/980
EN: 130/130

Stats:
Damage: 18
Mitigation: 127
Battle Healing: 29
Stealth Rating: -5
HB: 39
MENDING: 2 REC: 8
HLY: 8
Equipped Gear:
Weapon/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Arcael's Might (T4 THSS - DMG DMG DMG HLY)                                                                                                        
Armor/Trinket: 
  - Vega's Panoply (T4 HA - THNS THNS HB HB)                                                                                                             
Shield/Armor/Trinket: 
  - Red Tide Beacon - Venus (T4 TRINKET - LM LM REC REC)

Combat Mastery:
  - Combat Mastery: Mitigation R3

Combat Shift:
  - ST Shift

Familiar Skill:
  - Rending Familiar

Custom Skill:
  - 

Skills:
  - Battle Healing R3
  - Energist
  - Extended Weight Limit
  - Heavy Armor R5
  - Straight Sword R3

Extra Skills:
  - First Aid R5
  - Leadership R5

Inactive Extra Skills:

Addons:
  - Field Medic
  - Hyperactive
  - Iron Skin

Mods:
  - Barrier
  - Energize
  - Inspiring Speech
  - Large Pockets
  - Press the Attack

Inactive Mods:

Battle Ready Inventory:
  - Blessing of the Wood x4
  - Chocolate Truffles (T4 Vitality II Desserts) x13
  - Congealing Ale (Tierless Antidote Salves) x4
  - March to the Dawn (Instant HP Recovery 3) x14
  - Rumbling Rum Party Favor (Tierless Mass HP Recovery Crystals) x13
  - Teleportation Crystal x14
  - Tiger's Balm (Tierless Antidote Salves) x1

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)
  - Living Room: Increases out of combatHP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
  - Attic (Storage): +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
  - Slime Farm: +5% 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.
  - Basement: 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:

Scents of the Wild Totem:

Wedding Ring:

Crafting Profession:
 - Blacksmith[465exp] R6
Gathering Profession:
 - Forager[0exp] R1"                                                                                                                            

 

[Oscar 0]

Lessa had a shit poker face. He didn't need his Searching skill to see the pink rouge that her surging blood painted upon her cheeks. Even her stance struck him as forced. That strained greeting, as if she were trying to avoid the talk altogether. But what struck Oscar was the fact she said she didn't have the time. Oscar was taken aback by the audacity. 

"So. You go off and stab me in the dick and you don't have the time?"

His response rolled off of his tongue immediately. He maintained his relaxed stance, leaned back with his arms draped over the side of the fountain. It was clear that he was less bothered by the entire thing than Lessa was. Though, he'd be lying if he didn't find her attempts at looking put-together adorable. That his quickening pulse wasn't simply because of her off-the-cuff remarks.

It was so fucking infuriating to always be the second best looking person in any space they both occupied.

"Make time," he said sharply. "What the fuck was all of that? Things were going so well until you started popping off."

Edited February 14 by Oscar

[Lessa 1]

"Going well? Popping off?" That familiar rage rose again, bubbling through her like white-hot magma climbing a volcano. She'd felt the same way less than an hour before, facing him on that stage. Back then, she'd already been superheated by his words and his hands on her. Time and distance had done little to cool her off, as they'd both just discovered.

She'd stripped off her heavy armor, but hadn't taken the time to change into anything more stylish than the long-sleeved shirt and pants she wore beneath. The cool breeze that blew through the square tugged at the thin fabric, and sent her blonde hair flapping madly around her flushed face as she glared at Oscar. Essentially, Lessa looked every bit the part of the crazed madwoman. She lifted one finger, jabbing it accusingly in Oscar's direction. "We were just feeling each other up and having a great time, and then you decided to turn it into a therapy session, and you-"

The words died on her lips, and for a few heartbeats, Lessa stood motionless. Then she drew her finger back, balling her hand into a fist, before thudding it firmly against her forehead. She repeated the motion once, twice, three more times, a low, rich laugh rumbling from deep inside her. By the time she finally joined Oscar at the fountain's edge, the red flush had lessened considerably. "You are infuriatingly good at pushing my buttons, Oscar."

[Oscar 0]

"Therapy session? Is that what you thought that was?" His question cut through the night air like a knife. "You dumb?" As she sank back into the edge of the fountain, it was Oscar's turn to go on a tirade. Though, to his credit, his own was more calm than hers. "First of all, we needed to cool the fuck down. Don't pretend for one goddamn second we wouldn't have gone at it in the middle of the arena if we kept pushing things." He turned his head to the side and looked down to catch her gaze. "No lies now, you were feeling it as much as I was."

Oscar pushed himself off the fountain, striding forward and spinning around to face Lessa fully. "That was no therapy session. I mean, I can get out my rate clock if you want. But you and I both know you need to get laid - not therapized.” Oscar was nothing if not direct. Perhaps that was what pushed Lessa's buttons so. He had a million jokes about that that he kept under lock and key. And he had no issue whatsoever with any of her past entanglements, but how long had it been since he saw her moving in a little too close to Bahr when they both thought no one was looking.

And there wasn't much on Floor One that Oscar didn't see.

Another, better man, might have felt guilty. But Oscar would never apologize for the physical. They could fight about it later if he wanted.

“I was asking for permission,” Oscar stated flatly. He took a few steps forward, reaching forward to trail his fingers along her jaw as he settled back into his original position against the fountain. The issue, he found, was that she wasn't taking him seriously. Or that she thought he wasn't taking her seriously. The latter couldn't be further from the truth. He was merely waiting on the “yes” she had yet to give.

“From Lessa,” he reminded her. “Fuck a Guardian, honestly.”

 

Edited February 19 by Oscar

[Lessa 1]

"No, I'm not dumb," she countered, and a soft laugh wove through her words. Now that she had a better handle on the situation, and she'd beaten back that pesky panic, she felt like she could finally take a deep breath again. For the first time since their fight began. "And you think pretty highly of yourself if you think I was going to rip off my own clothes, or better yet yours, right there on that stage."

Though her face remained relaxed, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips, her blue eyes fired as she met his. "I'm not going to lie to you, I did feel something. And it felt good. But what pisses me off is that you felt the need to diffuse the situation. Where was my say in the matter? We already established that I like control, but you took that from me when you made that fight into something bigger than it needed to be."

To her credit, she managed to keep the surprise from her expression as the monster of a man reached out to trace her jaw. Even though she knew the touch would likely come, and even though she'd experienced much worse at his hands, the sensation still threw her for a loop. People didn't just... touch her. For years, Lessa had scraped by for the occasional display of affection, cherishing every held hand or kissed cheek. She treasured Alkor's freely-given hug like some precious family heirloom. 

Fuck, I really do need to get laid.

But she'd do it on her own terms. She'd rather spend the next decade living like a nun otherwise.

"Don't get your rate clock out," she began, "because God knows I don't have the col for that. But there are two things you need to know about me. One, my time in Aincrad has been packed with people making decisions for me because they think they know what's best for me. This felt a little like that." She tipped her head back, exposing her neck to the cold night air. The tips of her hair danced across the water's surface, but she didn't seem to notice. "Which brings me to two - I am surrounded by people who think they know me better than I know myself. And that they can just give me a little nudge, and I'll have some monumental breakthrough and reach my final form or something." She slanted him a knowing look. "This felt a little like that."

When silence fell between them again, she sighed. "Not the one-word answer you wanted, I know."

[Oscar 0]

“Well let me rephrase,” Oscar said when she finished speaking. It was important that she did. While it was certainly appearing to be an impromptu therapy session, Oscar would never begrudge anyone the opportunity to speak honestly. Maybe it was a habit from his actual profession, the one he was educated and trained for. But a conversation such as this would beget understanding. Had she ever been this open with anyone? It had been her own words, after all. 

I'm surrounded by people who think they know best.

And even if Oscar was as dumb as he wanted people to think he was, he wouldn't miss those implications

“I didn't cool it off for you. Whether or not you decided to rip my clothes off, I was damn close.” He unfolded his palm in her direction, tracing an invisible line from the top of her head down to her toes. “I mean, shit, have you looked in the mirror? You're stunning.”

Oscar shrugged lightly, moving to cross his arms back over his shoulder. “And I was very much the dog that caught the car. I didn't expect you to be so responsive. It was a joke at first, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't jump at the opportunity. So when you didn't stop me, I kept pushing and kinda played myself.”

That was his issue. For all of his unflappable confidence, it often turned mountains into molehills. Things escalated to a point that they never needed to get to. Despite his best intentions and even if he meant to move the needle to the contrary.

A course correction, then.

He pivoted his body to the left. All of a sudden, his frame engulfed hers as his hands rested on either side of her - against the fountain. Oscar looked over her, bending down close enough to just barely hear her breathing over the rushing waters. “Not the one-word answer I was looking for, no. But I'm not looking to give you a breakthrough. And I'm damn sure wanting to give you more than a nudge.”

One hand blazed a trail up her arm, tracing up and over her shoulder until his fingertips rested under her chin. He locked her in, keeping both of their gazes locked with one another. “Your call, then.” His other hand dropped between them, wrapping around those belts at her waist. Oscar pulled her closer, his face sinking ever lower.

“We both agree it felt good,” he reminded her. Oscar continued to close the distance, his face inching ever closer to hers.

“And we don't need to make this more messy than it needs to be,” he continued. “Personally, I'd prefer to keep it simple.

The trajectory of his movements led initially to a second kiss. At the last moment, however, he pivoted away. Oscar was serious. It was her call. That was how he wanted it. That sublime arithmetic had certain demands. So he leaned in close and let his lips just barely graze against her jaw. Allowed his breath to blaze against her skin.

“I don't really want a one-word answer at all, really. I just want you, Lessa, to do what feels good right at this very fucking moment.”

 

[Lessa 1]

Silence fell then, the only things between them a hair's breadth and the words that still hung in the air. The words that still echoed in her ears. Stunning. Responsive. Simple. 

What feels good.

Lessa let her eyes slip closed as his warm breath whispered over her cool skin. They remained like that, teetering on the literal and metaphorical edge, for longer than she could have thought possible. From an outsider's perspective, they simply looked like two lovers lost in each other, bathed in moonlight, and alone in city filled with people. The scene was tranquil, but the war raging in Lessa's mind was anything but. She felt herself being pulled, pulled, pulled in so many directions, not all of which were entirely unpleasant. And damn it, if it wasn't difficult to think with his body so close to hers. Warmth rolled off him in waves, and despite it all, she let herself enjoy his nearness. She could give herself that small pleasure. Have I looked in the mirror? Uh, buddy, have you?

Only once she'd made up her mind did she shift forward, closing the distance between them. But rather than pressing her lips to his, she skimmed them over his right cheek, dusting a feather-light kiss there before murmuring against his stubble. "I wish it were that easy."

When she drew back again, her eyes finally finding his, they only held traces of disappointment. And truthfully, that was just her inner horn-dog, who never listened to reason anyway. Lessa knew this was the right call, even though the memory of their fight still brought fresh goosebumps racing across her exposed skin. "I know it could be, with you," she continued, offering the man a small but genuine smile. "I get that this is a no-strings-attached deal. I know how you and Cord operate, or we wouldn't even be having this discussion." The open status of her guildmate's relationship was a well-known fact, or else Oscar's flirtations would have been shut down the moment they began. She paused long enough for her gaze to sweep indulgently over his body, and then she blew out a small breath. "But I think I need the strings. Right now, at least."

"I wasn't just talking a big game," she assured him. "I hope you know that. I did feel something." She barked out a pained laugh, then amended, "I do feel something. I mean, for fucks sake, Oscar, look at you." With one hand, she made a gesture meant to encompass his entire being. "It's like you walked out of the pages of my smuttiest romantasy novel. And it... felt good, to feel something. If that makes sense." In contrast to the boldness of her words, a blush began to creep across her cheeks. "I spend so much time tiptoeing around people. Not sure if I should touch them, or keep my distance. Not sure if they mean what they say. Not sure if they truly know me, or if they just have this idea of who they want me to be. But you just played it straight with me."

[Oscar 0]

Oscar breathed out a laugh as her lips caressed his cheek. A swing and a miss. He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed as she pulled back, her eyes searching his. It was a bit disappointing, really. And it felt a bit keener as she - from where he was standing - did her best to console him. He took it that way, at least at first. And he wanted to tell her that those efforts weren't necessary. But he didn't. As Lessa had pointed out, he kept it straight with her. He realized as she finished speaking that this was her doing the same. 

“At least we can both agree we're hot,” Oscar said with a laugh. He pivoted away, returning to lean against the fountain. He gazed up at the starlit sky, taking a deep breath of that cool night air. “But you know, the operative word in the term ‘friends with benefits’ is friends,” Oscar pointed out. He turned his gaze back down towards her, looking down at the blonde through the corner of his eye. “Can't fault a man for trying.”

Oscar corrected his posture, turning his head to face her fully. 

“I hope you don't fault me for trying,” he added.

He knew the answer, but it was simply one of those things that it was best to simply say. His demeanor shifted. Seduction had bled away from him, but he was no less warm. No less inviting. Oscar may have struck out, but he meant what he said. It was pure simplicity. Whether they found themselves entangled with one another or simply never went down that road, Oscar was still her friend. He would not get his wires crossed.

“Cordelia and I are something special,” Oscar said. “If I'm being honest, I never loved anyone as deeply as I love her. It sorta… transcends the physical. At the end of the day, she's the one I come home to.” There was a wistful grin on his face as he spoke. Then, suddenly, he nudged Lessa with his elbow. That grin curled mischievously. “Which really begs the question. When are you gonna stop fucking around and tell Jomei how you feel? Or did I misinterpret all of those glances in his direction when you guys were in the same Raid Team?” 

He didn't. Most people didn't peg Oscar for being nearly as observant as he was. But the truth of the matter was that there wasn't much that Oscar didn't miss. And there was just something odd about Lessa's overall demeanor when it came to the man. And you could say the same in reverse. As much fire had bloomed between her and Oscar, he really felt like those two were on the cusp of a similar something special.

All the strings, no less love than he shared with Cordelia.

Edited March 19 by Oscar

[Lessa 1]

"No, not at all," she answered firmly, her tone slamming the door on any possible arguments. Despite the electricity that still hummed faintly between them, she reached out to place a strong, reassuring hand on his arm. "I don't fault you, okay?" She refused to continue speaking until he met and held her gaze, and she could see for herself that he believed her. Not that the Beast was an open book or anything, and it was possible some doubts or apprehensions lingered. But he seemed to relax a bit, allowing her to do the same.

"If anything, I should be thanking you," she continued, withdrawing her hand and slipping it into her pants pocket. "For being straight with me, obviously, but also just for being willing to tell me how you felt." A self-indulgent smile curled her lips, and she confessed, "It was really good for my ego. I genuinely can't tell you the last time someone wanted me. Not as a questing buddy, or a party-mate on the Frontlines, or a girlfriend... just as a woman, y'know?" Then she laughed at herself, and added, "I mean, you wouldn't know, unless there's more you'd like to share with me. But hopefully you get what I'm saying. It felt good to feel hot. I felt powerful. And while I know my worth isn't tied to my physical appearance, because I'm not a thirteen year-old girl anymore, it kinda felt like I could take on the world."

She inclined her head in a small nod of gratitude. "So I appreciate it. I've been feeling a little down in the dumps lately. It's no wonder you and Cord have something so special, if you keep her on this high all the time."

Then Oscar asked his question. Lessa would have been less shocked if he'd grabbed her by the throat and reenacted the spiciest scenes from their earlier duel.

Her first instinct was to deflect. She could play dumb! Jomei? The name isn't ringing a bell. But that would just be insulting, to both Oscar and to the ginger in question. So what could she say instead? I don't know how I feel? It was true, but it wasn't the whole truth, and Oscar deserved no less. No bullshit - that was the theme of the night.

"Jomei is..." Lessa paused to draw a long, slow deep breath, before settling on, "... really, really great. He's amazing. He's... honestly, I think he's the most amazing person I've ever met. He's good, and he's pure, and he's kind, and he's funny, and he's talented, and he's just this... light. This beautiful, bright, warm light, and he was there when everything in my life was dark. He was there, and he never left." A pause, and then, "And I have no idea how to tell him any of that. Or if I should even try."