PP - F8: Third Time's a Charm

[Mari 1]

The 8th floor was a rare place to travel for Mari, and she couldn't imagine why - except perhaps the mild humidity? Still. With the large canopies and trees - Mari was able to be close to the city; she sat on a platform that sat above the village- anyone looking up would see a flash of pink, and she could quite easily people watch from here. Something she found herself doing often.

Mari had a turbulent time lately, but right now - she felt at peace. She was sipping at a warm cup of tea from a thermos - one which would soon expire due to it's low durability; her legs dangled freely over the side.  Swinging to and fro; she took another sip and gave a content sigh. Her time with Alkor had eased many of the troubles she had; Mari missed Life - but she understood his need to leave.

[Life 0]

L was reciting another one of his poems in his mind. Recently he had become engrossed in an epic called "loveless" and was still trying to decipher the first Act, he had many to go still. What he could make of this first act was lost in his mind. It could mean many things and he went over all the possibilities, but what did it mean to him? Thinking back to the dungeons he was in, it was clear to see how it might correlate to his situation. The gift of the goddess? Sillith? Could the gift of the goddess be eternal life..? Or possibly.. death? It was a lot of information to process and he was only recently infatuated. Walking through the thick forest, the environment and dense life seemed to cleanse his mind of any impure thoughts, seemingly putting Sillith to sleep. It had been awhile since she made an appearance but then again it was a while that he was doing anything that would be of interest to her. It was a smart move to distance himself from her, it was a lot of un-needed pain easily avoided. 

That's when his theory crafting stopped. Bewildered by a haze of pink shining through the thick green of the forest.. "no... it couldn't be.." He wasn't sure if he should avoid her, but he wasn't sure if it really was her. He cautiously circled the figure and to his surprise it was her. Perhaps it would be best if he did leave her alone, he didn't want to risk hurting her. Awhile later he was in town looking around for something to do, there wasn't any good gear on this floor and no one seemed to want to set up shop there. He began to grow bored of town, he wondered what kind of enemies he would face on floor 8. When he walked outside town he stared up and to his amazement Mari was sitting, her legs dangling off the small cliff like platform, their eyes locked for a moment and he looked away quickly, he needed to get away from this floor.

[Mari 1]

Mari wasn't able to finish her cup of tea; before she could enjoy it's last few mouthfuls the cup an thermos exploded into an array of pixels. Mari sighed, "ohh...I was enjoying that..." She muttered to herself, pushing back strands of pink hair out of her face as she looked down, feeling somewhat dismayed. It was then that she caught the eye of a very familiar player - her mouth worded his name - but no sound came out. Mari felt her heart skip a beat as she quickly stood, now shouting his name; "Life! He-" 

She stopped as his crimson eyes turned from her, quickly - his entire face turned away as though he was disgusted by the mere sight of her. Mari stepped back, away from the ledge of the platform - leaning against the thick trunk of the tree. Her hands clasped her heart as she bit her lower lip. It hurt. It hurt to see someone she trusted, someone she really cared about turn from her - Mari knew that Life didn't exactly want to see her any more, but a part of her ha hoped that if they had crossed paths they would be able to speak again, as though his outburst in the past would be forgotten. 

Alas, that would not be the case. 

Maybe she should leave...let him have his space.
 

[Life 0]

L was caught up with a dilemma inside himself. He wanted to talk to her, ensure her everything was ok. He didn't want to just leave her but he knew it was for the better.. however there was something that nerved him. When he looked back, his head barely moving but just enough to see her through his messy fallen hair, seeing the pain etched into her eyes, his own heart sank. He muttered some words under his breathe, cursing Sillith and thats when she awoke Oh..? Interesting, why don't you go talk to her? You can't just keep away from her forever you know fufufu~ What do you think i've been doing so far? Im not letting you get your hooks into her again. You're so cruel to me my love.. i just want to see how she's doing... aren't you interested? No. Don't be so stubborn, don't you see the pain etched into her face? Do you really want to keep doing this to her? She has no one she can trust but you and Alkor. You...... can't blackmail me... It's the truth my love.. why don't you just say hello? Im sure the faintest smile would brighten up her day. If you promise. You won't interfere. To pull the strings of life, is like pulling the strings of a puppet my love, movement is in your hands He knew she was lying, but he was so caught up in his own turmoil he couldn't just leave Mari on her own anymore.

 

Despite all that, he couldn't bring himself to talk to her let alone make a trek up a cliff to speak to her and so he looked back down the floor, trying to reassure himself "It's for the best" His eyes trailed forward and started to walk away, a gentle tear rolling down his cheek.

[Mari 1]

Seeing Life turn his head away from her had hurt. Mari could trust so few people. Sure she had her  guild, her associates, but apart from Life, Celes, and Alkor Mari found it very hard to be trusting or accepting of people. Mari decided that it'd be best if she simply left the floor entirely. Mari pushed herself up off the ground, she went to the edge of the platform and glanced down. 

There was another, much larger platform down below her, and the fall wasn't that far. Mari kicked herself off, jumping off the platform, she tumbled to the one below with a small thud sustaining very little damage.


-5 HP

As she landed she tumbled, then stood - brushing herself off she headed toward the teleport pad.

Did Life really love her? So much so that he simply couldn't be around her any more? As Mari walked she touched her lips with her fingers. Recalling the kisses she had shared with Alkor just a few nights ago. Such delicate, tender moments. Mari didn't regret those - she didn't regret having feelings for Alkor. Whatever they may be. Yet, she still felt pained by Life's absence.

 

Mari 46/51 HP

[Life 0]

L decided the best thing to do was kill things. Of course what better way was there for a guy to vent his emotions and take his mind off all troubles than to end the lives of random monsters? Of course there was a sinking feeling of regret which he probably will never be able to shake off. He double checked his gear and headed off into the thick nature of the forest. He could hear the random sounds of creatures all around him. He had heard that the jungle was a deadly place, where unsuspecting low level players would be randomly attacked by aggressive mobs. Not that it mattered for L, he was more than capable of handling such creatures. 

To his surprise he wasn't ganged by any monsters while he had been roaming throughout the forest, he scratched his head and wondered where he would be able to find them. His muscles where twitching with anticipation for a worthy foe. He jumped up into one of the smaller trees in the canopy and took a look around, thoroughly scanning his surroundings and spotted a river off to the west, no doubt where he would find some animals. He made his way from tree to tree and leant over one of the branches peering, to his fortune there was in fact quite a few foes drinking from the river. One of them a large brutish tiger. "Yes you will do nicely" He exclaimed as he drew his blade from its sheath, his eyes squinting, focusing on his target. 

 

He jumped down from the branch with his blade in hand, angling it for a downward strike in hopes to use his weight and velocity to do heavy damage. To his dismay the tigers eyes, ears and nose where very keen and had already noticed his presence long before L had laid eyes on it. It simply stood up on its hind legs in preparation, dodging his attack and brought its large paws down to strike L. L had barely any time to register what had happened and looked up at the beast with wide eyes as its whole body plummeted down towards him. To L's luck rock in which the tiger stood on was rather wet and the beast lost its footing, it re-angled its attack to instead find its balance, it didn't want to risk falling into the river. The beast snarled at him and hunched its shoulders letting out a large roar to warn him off but L simply smirked straightening his poise. "Lets do it then" 

 

~Attack failed!

~Enemy attack failed!

 

ID: 4808

~Life: 39/39

~Brutish Tiger: 30/30

[Mari 1]

Mari was a steadfast girl, but she also had a tendency to get lost, and that is exactly what happened to her. Mari felt upset and frustrated. She wanted to message Alkor but didn't want to rely on him too much. How could she call herself a strong person if she constantly ran to him for aid? Or Life or Celes...anyone for that matter?

Mari sniffed, wiping a frustrated tear away with the back of her hand. She was lost in a heated jungle, lost and alone. She could use a teleportation crystal but being the stubborn girl that she was. Mari refused to use it unless the situation was dire. "Stupid Mari..." She mumbled to herself. Why? Why was she so upset over Life not talking to her? Mari felt like she was doing just fine till she saw him. Till she had that small burst of hope ignite within her only to be just as quickly extinguished. 

Maybe it was better if she didn't get close to people at all? After all...if Life had up and left her who was to say that Celes wouldn't do the same? Or even Alkor?
Mari stopped walking, face contorting in pain as she felt a heavy weight placed on her chest. Mari clutched at her heart as she knelt down on the Jungle floor.

"It hurts..."

[Life 0]

The tiger saw his confidence as arrogance and readied for it's next strike, it stared at him with hungry eyes and L shared it's gaze all the same. Within a breaths notice the two sprung at each other blade and claw though it wasn't much of a contest. L was much too quick and his blood began pumping, warming his cold body up as he simply side stepped the beasts lunge. His attack arm was parallel to beasts body and he swung his arm upwards. His blade travelled from the soft belly of the best up and around its ribcage. The brutish tiger let our a furious roar as it stumbled perplexed by the foe facing him seemingly grinning with delight. "It's been too long" 

 

~Attack success!

~Enemy attack failed!

 

ID: 4808

 

~Life: 39/39

~Brutish Tiger: 22/30

[Mari 1]

It hurt more than she expected, more than she wanted it to; she had typed out a hasty message to Alkor, and her finger hovered over the send button.
Was it worth it? Was it worth bothering him? Mari bit her lip, decided to hit cancel as she stood up. She could hear the distant sounds of what sounded like a battle, or some kind of fighting. Mari glanced around for mobs - but there weren't any in the immediate area....rather...the area was rather quiet, if not for those distant sounds.

Usually sounds of the forest accompanied the field, but here, in this clearing in the thicket of a forest, there was none. "That's...odd.." Mari didn't think too much into it and continued on her way, there was a path that looked as though it had been trodden down upon and Mari assumed it lead back to the town, she followed it. Too bad it lead to the opposite direction of a town. Along the path Mari noticed broken bits of stone, which - if she put thought into it, would have been out of place on the 8th floor. She passed a hunk of marble with 'illi' engraved on it, the rest was illegible. Mari stopped at this; and used the cuff of her sleeve to wipe away some of the dirt and grime.

Mari was a stickler and didn't like things to be dirty; she grabbed a bottle of water from her inventory and splashed it over the broken stone, it was embedded into the dirt, and looked as though it was long forgotten. "Eh...is this marble? She asked herself as she cleaned away the dirt and grime to better read it, alas even with the stone clean, the text was still unreadable. 

[Life 0]

His mind seemed to be taken off of his troubles, no Mari, no Sillith, no death game. It was him and his prey... he didn't really like using the word prey but somehow he let his mind wander that far, or as stated not his mind. He felt like her was the hunter, he felt like he was out for blood. It was a similar feeling he got whenever he fought a worthy foe, the rush and adrenaline was like a drug to him. His wide grin nerved the tiger and it eye'd him carefully, L calmed himself and tried not to lose himself so easily, such actions where what lost him to silith. Thinking back to that moment, it was as clear as a painting written in blood. When he crushed the helpless gremlins skulls in the palm of his hand, he looked down staring at his palm stained in blood, since that day he could see blood everywhere, it was a normal thing for him and as such his new eyes reflected what he saw, red. He felt as though since entering the ice cave at first and watching it deform into a mess of guts and mangled corpses which where riddled across the wall, his mind would go mad and for a while it did. He wasn't sure if he was even the same person, but one thing was for sure, killing always felt good. His pupils dialated and he grinned menacingly looking back over towards the beast. 

The tiger took his deep thought as an opening to strike, he didn't wish to disturb L too much and so it slowly stalked him, creeping eagerly. It was drawing closer as Ls pupils dilated and focused on it. The brutish tiger wasn't sure how it was to react to it's enemies strange behaviour but it was close enough to strike, or so it thought. It's sudden pounce was met with a whip of L's wrist cutting deeply into the beasts chest and pushing it away. "Don't you love the smell of fresh blood? I do." The tiger was dumbfounded by man that stood infront of it but one thing was certain, it was mad.

 

~Attack success!

~Enemy attack failed!

 

ID: 4973

 

~Life: 39/39

~Brutish Tiger: 14/30

[Mari 1]

"Dang....." Mari muttered, she wasted a water on nothing, and now that she had found nothing her thoughts travelled back to Life. She kicked the stone tablet and it fell over, another chunk of it crumbled off. Mari continued down the path and the sounds of the battle died down, and again a still silence washed over the jungle. It gave Mari goosebumps. She ran her hands up and down her arms, warming herself up. 

"Guess this ain't the way to town...." 

Mari muttered as she happened upon the entrance to a cave, the entrance was overgrown with vines, so she equipped her dagger, making short work of them - Mari entered what she assumed would be a normal cave; but what greeted her was far from that. 

The cave was one big room, with four large pillars surrounding what looked like some sort of altar. Mari rubbed her eye with the back of her hand, still clutching the dagger in the other. Spots danced in front of her cerulean eyes as they adjusted to the light. "What....is this place?" She asked, her voice echoed around the walls, Mari approached the altar in the middle; it looked to be a stone slab; made of obsidian. Mari struck her dagger down into it but it just bounced off. Sending a vibration up her hand that caused her to drop the dagger. "ow f***!" Mari hissed. Ok...so she couldn't break it down for materials.

Was this some sort of holy place? Was it an event? Mari shrugged as she heaved herself up onto the altar. Sitting on it cross legged the place was quiet, and Life would never find her here. It'd be good to just sit and wait for things to tide over. Maybe Mari would start a fire and stay here the night. Using the altar as a makeshift bed.

"Guess its as convenient as it is creepy..." Mari muttered as she ran her hand over its smooth surface, dusting it off in the process.

[Life 0]

L was enjoying himself more than he had originally intended himself to, what started out to be a warm up for his body ended up being a rush. The beast snarled at him with intense hate "You'll make a fine rug, cat" He swung his blade in a circular motion intimidating the brutish tiger in front of him, slowly edging towards it closer and closer. You seem to be enjoying yourself.. I just love seeing you like this~ fufufu~ That look in your eyes... excites me.. The voice spoke with a sadistic moan, humming through his mind. He really was loosing himself again, what he originally had intended to be a warmup for his body and skills had turned into a showoff for Sillith. It was much to late for him at this point however, he was already long gone in lust, in battle.

 

~Attack failed!

~Enemy attack failed!

 

ID: 4975

 

~Life: 39/39

~Brutish Tiger: 14/30

[Mari 1]

After Mari had dusted the majority of the slab off, she pulled out two blankets from her inventory. Mari wan't really tired, but this altar was as good as a bed as any. Rather, she probably wouldn't find anything closer than this other than the real thing. Mari rolled up the first blanket to create a makeshift pillow and placed it at one end of the Altar; the other she wrapped around herself before resting her head against the rolled up blanket. Cerulean eyes glanced around the cavern; it was strange, it looked as though it hadn't been disturbed for years; yet it had a nostalgic feel to it.

Mari wondered if she could somehow make this her permanent residence, it was a lot better than the cave on the 2nd floor she had called home.

[Life 0]

His eyes had started to glow a deep red as his movements became slurred. The tiger was completely and utterly confused and had no clue where to turn next, even its keen eyes where not fast enough to keep up with L when he was in the zone. He though it was time to put the brutish tiger out of its misery and get a move on, he was more than warmed up now. He staunched the tiger with a deep step forward and faded back as it struck forward, he swerved to its side and stuck his blade deep into the beasts rib cage cutting along its hide. It furious roars now a soft whimper as its health dwindled at red. 

 

~Attack Success!

~Enemy attack failed!

 

ID: 5030

 

~Life: 39/39

~Brutish Tiger: 6/30

[Mari 1]

Mari's eyes fluttered open and closed as she drifted between consciousness and unconsciousness. Her brows furrowed as she finally drifted off into an uneasy sleep. She sprawled out on the altar, one leg dangling off. She slept on her back with her face to the side, one arm above her head and the other draped loosely over her stomach. Pink hair sprawled out like a cotton candied halo around her head. The blanket had been kicked off her body, and it hung loosely over a leg, the rest was crumpled over the altar and on the floor in a crimson heap.

Mari was still, but small moans and sounds of discomfort escaped her lips as the cold began to set in; goosebumps rising on her skin. 

This was not a restful sleep.
 

[Life 0]

The tiger quickly scrambled to its feet, attempting to recover from Ls last attack. L wasn't letting up, his momentum had built up to a point where it was all or nothing. The brutish tiger however was also not giving in, a rare sight to see considering most opponents crushed as thoroughly as the tiger had been seemingly lost all will to fight. However, L liked it better this way, it gave him a better rush when putting the life of his foe to an eternal rest. With one last stutter step L was charging back towards the beast and the beast at L. It built up its speed until it pounced much higher than usual, its arms spread afar, it wasn't going for a claw. It landed on him biting with it's teeth sinking deeply into his shoulder. At that same moment L had thrusted his blade upwards and deep into the brutish tigers ribcage, slashing open most of its vital organs. The tiger who was ferociously attacking him was now only whimpering a pathetic roar of pain. "Sleep" He retracted his blade from the beasts body and watched it drop to the floor lifeless as its body slowly evaporated into the air in a spectacle of gold white and red. If anyone where to see the satisfied look on his face, they'd be sure to think he was a sick freak.

 

~Attack Success! Perfect critical! 10 Damage!

~Enemy attack success! Critical! 3 damage! (5-2)

 

ID: 5033

 

~Life: 36/39

~Brutish Tiger: -4/30 Dead

 

~ Loot obtained: 150 Col. Tiger Claw (Mat). Tiger Fang (Mat).

 

He wasn't sure where to head to next but he needed to walk off his bloodlust before he ended up hurting someone. My love you impress me more and more with every fight fufu~ I don't want to hear it... Such a spectacle should be applauded not shunned my dear.. it seems i have a visitor... A visitor? I didn't think it would be possible to have more annoyances in my head other than the one talking to me right now Hush you! At one of my altars.. You mean like the place i was first cursed by your presence? ...Do not anger me darling. Where you met me was at a shrine dedicated to me, where lovelies would send me offerings, i still have you vile of blood by the way~ But this altar is one of the places where I, myself, used to use for rituals. Rituals? Don't think about it too much dear, i don't want to give you a hernia

In the mind of Mari: Can i help you my precious? What brings you to my... domain? I highly doubt you know where you are.

[Mari 1]

Mari was asleep, she felt a tickle on her nose and she groaned; as she dreamt of a strange voice. The voice was that of a woman, who sounded Mari's age, or close to; but this one was filled with a deep seeded arrogance; and its echo dripped with a sultry venom. That of a black widow casting some sort of silken web. Of course, this voice was but a mere dream - a figment of Mari's imagination.

 

She parted her lips, steamed breath escaping, the room had grown colder still; and Mari had yet to notice. Adrift in a dream-like state. "Mmm....go away..." She lifted a hand to swat at thin air before it fell heavily against her chest. "Don't...need help..." she muttered indignantly .

[Life 0]

Sillith wasn't please with Maris response, she defiled her sacred area and she simply tells her to go away? Let us go pay her a visit, shall we? No, lets not. I have better things to do than worry about some stupid alter Humpth! I'm disappointed in you, that's enough of your smart ass responses, you need to be punished If you so much as lift a finger of my bod- Let's go pay her a visit A twisted smile spread across his face as his simple steps turned into a stride, manoeuvring through the thick forest towards the altar. He could feel Silliths vexation and a few moments later he stood in front of the what seemed to be an abandoned lair. On the walls where ancient text un-recognisable to L. Interesting.. He wasn't sure what this place was but it didn't look like a place where people would come to pick flowers. His eyes drifted to the centre and found something that utterly dumbfounded him.. it was Mari. She wasn't the most graceful sleeper it would seem but he had no clue as to what this place was, though it seemed sillith did, and she was irritated. L slid to Maris side and placed a gentle hand on her cheek, her skin was cold to the touch "It would seem your intruder has made herself comfortable.. or rather uncomfortable" 

[Mari 1]

Mari jerked when she felt a warm hand on her cheek, she shook her head, feeling really groggy. Her body heavy. Mari wasn't normally so lethargic after sleeping. "Uh...w-what?" She blinked slowly a few times as she sat up. The red blanket falling completely to the floor with her movement. "Where....bu..." She scratched her head glancing toward Life, who looked down on her with an almost sinister glint to his crimson eyes. "Life....." Mari groaned with a yawn, "Why'd you wake me?" She sounded annoyed.

Then it struck her. 

Life.

Life?

"LIFE?" Mari was baffled she reached out to touch his face to make sure he was real, his body was so much warmer than hers.  The pain in her chest returned, "W..why...?" She asked, voice cracking. "Why? Why are you here? What do you mean by intruder?"

[Life 0]

He stared at her for a moment, slightly perplexed by her sudden awakening, such a gentle touch had woken her. "The real question is what are you doing here" He still sat where he had been originally on the altar "This isn't a place where just anyone can just sleep" He looked down at the floor where the sheets were and looked back at her, his grin turning into a grimace. He sighed and gestured towards the dark cavern that lead into the deeper depths of the cave "I was coming here because i heard of great treasure inside deeper inside this place" Sillith guided his words, her prey was caught in her web and anyway it decided to struggle, it was sure to come out with something damaged.