A/N: Demon Slayer, lacking a spine since 2017!
NetherOrbit: Spooky scary skeletons, send reviews to this fic...
Den3424: very comprehensive review, interesting!
blazepanzer: Lisbeth has character here, now that's a laugh! Right? Right?
Special thanks to Hawk725, The Beagle 312, and TurtlesATW for your favorites! Hope to hear from you all soon, criticism is necessary!
Enjoy!
January 2nd, 2023
From darkened pillars and corners they dragged forth, sets of bony limbs shaking at my presence, their forms barely strung together past ligament and flesh. Fluctuating skin texture marked them as Ceph, but it bore an inconsistency, a famished contingency overriding natural function. It'd harden in some quadrants, but soften inches away. Contents of my stomach protested as their sunken faces drew back, blood leaving it and my lips.
"God," I was agape, stepping back.
I couldn't feel anything above my feet, these incarnations of nature's cruelest decree standing before me. Still more hobbled out, their vein splotched eyes honing on me. With white and gray hairs covering many of their faces, my shoulders dropped. These were old men guarding this town.
"Don't come no closer," one lowered a [Spear], "elf no welcome."
I stepped away, raising hands.
"I'm not an elf," I said, "please, I mean no harm."
Out of dim corners stepped more, skeleton-thin townsfolk in sweat smothered clothes, near desiccated with their hair straggly and frail. Their motions were lethargic, barely able to walk with their bulging eyes. Chilling ripples whipped down my arms, their hobbling step and unearthly thinness driving my hands down.
"Oh my God," I shuddered before opening my inventory, "you...you're starving. Here, don't hold back!"
I gave them nearly all of my food, watching as they rushed like hyenas on wounded game, pork, ostrich, vegetables, all without pause. I could nearly vomit looking at them, their condition was absolutely abysmal. Food chugged down frail throats, muscles throbbing to force down chunks of chewed width comparable to their thumbs. Stepping away, my heart pounded as they rose, remembering a simple truth. Hungry people...were desperate people. They ate and ate, licking what little remained of my pork, beetle, ostrich, and wheat. More and more rushed out, their starved expressions chilling my bones as bent teeth and swollen gums tore. Eyes recently fed craned up to me, shaking as they rose.
"I'm sorry," I put a hand out, "I don't have more...but I wanna help."
"Aid!?"
I turned my head without pause, waving Rika to stop, looking back only to ensure they didn't get any closer. Viewing past me, however, a scream barely cut out from her throat, clamped down by her hands as eyes shut. I approached quickly, rubbing the backs of her arms.
"holy-" she gasped, "what happened?"
"They're starving," I frowned, "be ready to run, I don't know if-"
"Wait," one extended sickly fingers, "please...we will accept any help."
Setting sights back on the deprived, a vista of lowered weapons and softened gazes slowed my hand.
"Alright," I nodded nervously, "what happened?"
"I'm getting Haru," Rika nudged me before running.
"Fish," they moaned, "gone. Water draining."
Imagery of the canal I constructed was quick to answer their claim, but I couldn't change it. The water was needed to feed everyone at Urbus, turning it off would rob them of vital resources. To think I had put innocents to starve for it though, stung with acute venom.
"I've seen deer outside," I nodded behind me, "is there something wrong about them?"
Their grizzled guards shook heads, "we kill 'em, but wolves, wolves or Magna get to 'em first."
"Magna?"
"Magnatherium," they shook, "hateful demons. They tear you apart if you don't give your catch...or burn if you're far."
"Are you saying they breathe fire?" my eyes swelled.
A collective nod, a single heart sinking, my soul uneasy.
"Please, we...need."
"I will," I motioned, "but me and my company need shelter."
Footsteps behind me, my party returning.
"Ugh," Haru shuddered.
"If you will let us rest here," I said, I'll help as best I can."
Not a single face indicative of male youth stood among them, something deeper was amiss. Young and old women stood together, but elderly men were alone. A few conversed with each other, weapons sheathing. My words escaped without an ember to back them, but how could I look at them and not offer? Turning back on us, hands motioned us closer.
"We'll offer you a roof for tonight," a guard said, "but you must help us defeat them."
"Defeat who?" Haru blinked.
"Fire breathing beasts," I shuddered.
"Perfect."
"Do you have spare metal?" Rika stepped forward, "I could offer something useful."
Sun Dancer
Fingers drew a panel of reeds aside, Rovia's moonlit lake reflecting just outside a window frame of clay. Pale light leaking in, Zumfut's forest stretched out east of us, a cool breeze slipping by.
"Oi that air," Rika exhaled, "how's the view? I need my heater."
"Good," I lowered my head an inch, "big lake, bright moon."
"And you, a noble king."
I bit my cheek, her term unbelievable.
"I wish."
"After all you did?" Rika chimed, "you were great. Don't let Tai get to you."
A cementing rigidity refused to loosen my shoulders, a curled tongue restrained from speaking uninspiring words between us. How was I gonna take care of Rika? She could say all the sweetest things, but needs had to be met with full force. Shelter was temporary, food was dangerously low, time was ghosting me too.
"Okay, what do you see? I wanna hear."
Her question boiled in my gut, where'd it all begin? Was it my refusal to accept reality? My blatant excuses to stay in control? Sitting myself beside her, my fingers clamped on cool fur sheets. Our newest family member whined, Eve wagging her tail as she pawed at my worn leather boots.
"I should've listened to my gut," I shivered, "I never should've taken that power."
"Even if you were right? You knew we needed time to get our bearings and you made sure of it."
"But I was supposed to let go," I sniffled, "not clamp around it. God, this always happens. I get something on my mind and I can never let it go."
"But that's one of your biggest strengths," she put a hand on mine, "me, I could barely focus on one thing for longer than what...a few weeks? You could, big reason why I trusted you."
"I got selfish, it became all about me."
"Bullshit. You worked to do right for others, that was your focus. Look what you did for these strangers just tonight."
"They were starving," I looked to her, "how could anyone look at them and not try helping?"
"Cause I've been there. All those times I got bullied, nobody ever came to help." Her head lowered, "couldn't be bothered to stop and look if it meant their souls. Aye, drinks were my choice...but it starved me for real things."
My eyes clamped shut along with my stomach, a wetness growing behind eyelids.
"That's not the same," I said with a shaking head, "you can't put yourself as equal to strangers with me. My motives were selfish, they had to be."
"You didn't see who I was before stepping in."
Rovia's cool breeze was warm when pitched against her claim.
"You couldn't have known if I was a guy or not, but you did more than any...besides my Dad. You gonna call me a liar?"
"No," I shook my head.
"Good, cause the only one lying is you."
Eve bit at one of my hands, her sharp teeth digging smartly, forcing me to splash a little water on her nose. She sneezed before wriggling fur, gnawing my boot a second later.
"She's not the only fighter," Rika giggled, "but why're you seeing things this way? You care for kids, you fight for everyone's safety, why're you so bleak?"
"It's this little voice," I eased, "it never stops reminding me of my mistakes. Tells me I'm evil, how wrong I am, all the time."
Eve pawed at my ankle, racing around a second later as Rika stroked my shoulder.
"Aye," she hugged, "the morning after effect."
Staring off to a lakeside mirror, I chewed at her words.
"I know that feeling," her fingers stroked knuckles, "knowing you failed at something, maybe for the thousandth time. There was a smell to it for me, glad that's out."
"It wasn't a moral fault though," I nodded weakly, "what you had was a disease. It says more about me that I failed."
"Cause you think you're selfish?" she snuggled, "that's fine, I ain't clean. Hell, if they think you're bad, then they better not see me."
My eyes met hers, those deep colors reflective. Rika didn't know everything, Heathcliff's warning was kept confidential. But it's relevance depreciated. What if there was no way back, that this was our inescapable reality? We've passed a dimensional wall, how were we gonna get out? Communications home were cut off, non-existent as far as I understood.
Impulse and fear were my driving forces in a world of madness, no injury could alter it. Her words though, they could build or destroy me quickest. It was laughable, pathetic, but it was true. As cool air brushed by, a dry spell fell behind my teeth, throat tightening as a lone muscle mushed against my chest.
"There's not a day I spent leading, or dealing with problems...where I didn't think of you."
Her eyes dilated, fingers loosening around my hands.
"I'd look at something everyday," I said, "wondering...how could I make life easier. How could I make you happier."
Pulling Rika close, my grip weakened. Three words formed in my head, my tongue curled back like a rifle's hammer.
"I...get fixated," I sighed, "you distract me."
Rika stared at me, with this look of expectation. After a second, however, a sly smile grew on her lips.
"Don't think you're the only one."
Sun Dancer
January 3rd, 2023
Behind glass swung a long staff, its shadow an extension of its owner. A clean floor did little to keep Leafa's eyes off the front door, her sheathed [Katana] slightly notched.
"And slash!" Leafa pitched her [Training Sword].
"Ha!"
Wick paced around Leafa's dojo, her students swapping directional cuts. Surveying each outlier within the groups, he approached one delicately, whose weapon whipped at an angle too harsh for practical use.
"You might wanna tuck it in a bit," Wick motioned softly, "remember, [Katanas] aren't used like machetes."
"What if I don't wanna use one?" the student growled.
"Your choice, I didn't mean to offend."
Wick walked off, observing other participants with a growing wariness.
Must think they're the best thing since the wheel, third time today. Wish they helped yesterday, but apparently that's unreasonable. Should I go ahead with Tai's offer? Not gonna lie, it'd be pretty relieving.
Some followed Leafa's instructions precisely, their technique remaining consistent, although unrefined. Others rushed, their weapons wobbling on rise and descent. Eyeing each other in dark attire, snickering was shared.
"The ignorance is real, have you seen those loyalists?"
"You serious?"
"People liked the old system?"
"They're hanging around the temple, complaining n' shit. I say we beat sense back in."
Wick ignored them, pacing himself over to Yuuki's corner as whispering died down with Leafa's command.
"I didn't have the heart to tell her," Yuuki exhaled, "but his lips, ugh they tasted great."
"Any second winds?" Nori swung her [Training Sword].
"Nah," Yuuki poked and slashed, "I gotta respect Silica's claim. Tempting as it was."
Wick turned away, a nausea growing in his gut.
Yuuki keeps talking about Teika, like he's her hero or something.
"Wicky? Nori wants to know if her technique's right."
A soft sigh left before heels turned, Wick watching carefully as Yuuki's friend rotated hips.
"Too hard," he said, "you'll leave your guard open."
"Hm," Nori stopped, "mind directing with your hands? I'm better with visual learning."
Wick bowed his head before drawing a [Training Sword], setting himself next to Nori. Swinging slowly, his eyes tracked Nori's motions, her attempts at mirroring clumsy. Yuuki, however, had slipped out of his peripherals.
"Ooh," Nori said, "that's why."
"It takes time," Wick said blankly, "don't rush it."
Cold fingers grasped glutes, Wick jumping forward as an unseen hand squeezed. A laughing Yuuki retreated to another room, her mouth covered to mute all exuberance. Groaning, Leafa waited for everyone's attention to return, Wick's red face earning chuckles from nearby students.
"Alright class, next session's at three."
Students spread, but none left the dojo. Leering faces were exchanged, groups huddling.
"Someone's gotta ask, democracy is at stake. First the dead, now idiots?"
"We gotta find those loyalists and get rid of them, before they confuse people."
Leafa walked around, stopping to watch Wick and Nori swing.
"I really wish Yuuki would stop that," Leafa said with fingers linked, "it's disrupting class."
"I'm sorry teacher," Yuuki cooed from behind a door, "but that butt."
"Wick's a good assistant," Nori smiled.
"Yes, but I can't have him being harassed like that. It's unprofessional and devalues this place."
"What if he wants to be harassed?" Yuuki giggled.
"Then he can on his own time," Leafa brushed hair, "like right now for that matter."
"Sensai?" a student approached.
"Yes?" Leafa turned.
"You don't know about the loyalists, do you?"
Leafa blinked, staring off at a wall.
Loyalists? Loyal...ist? Oh, means loyal to something!
"Loyal to what?"
"So you don't know," he nodded, "I'll go out of my way and explain. They're supporters of the tyrant Taiyama got rid of. Stupid, am I right?"
"What do they say?" Leafa watched.
"Stupid stuff, glorifying him, his oppression being good for us, all these retarded, undemocratic lies."
"But this's a self defense class," Leafa tilted her head, "how does my opinion matter in this?"
"We're worried you'll be misled. These people could be anywhere and we gotta make sure they don't take advantage of your good nature. So we're gonna be staying here."
"Wow," Leafa leaned back, "you mean you're not leaving?"
"It's to ensure your protection, Sensai."
"I can protect myself, thank you."
"Why is she against us helping?" one said.
"Maybe she's uncomfortable," another said in a low voice, "but there's no reason to feel that way."
"Unless, there's something she's not telling us."
Wick's purple eyes darkened, but remained back.
Oh great, this kind of play.
"I'm so confused," Leafa blinked.
"Let us handle it and everything will be fine."
Yuuki emerged from her room, staring at Leafa's conversing students.
These people are creepy!
"I guess," Leafa sighed.
As members sat to enjoy lunch, Leafa was left rigid in her place, eyes darting left and right.
I need to tell the king, this is a violation of privacy!
"Mind if we train?" Wick looked, "it doesn't have to be here."
"Yes please," Leafa hunched, "not feeling like dealing with this."
"Can we come with?" Nori said.
"Course," Wick shrugged, "gotta find a nice, open spot to train."
"Why not outside Urbus?" Yuuki rushed to the front door, "gets pretty stuffy in here."
"That'd be nice," Leafa followed her out.
Stepping out to Urbus' streets, an anxious flow was nigh tangible. People moved hastily from place to place, hands never far from their weapon. Weaving past crowds, Wick's ears found similar signals.
"Does anyone have silver?"
"What's next for us. Zombies? Those [Feral Bones] killed two hundred!"
"It'll be werewolves, man. Argo gave her warning. We best get rid of them before they get too numerous."
Neither Yuuki nor any of her friends addressed these topics, the dreariness repelled by a common desire for sunshine and a good mood. Leaving from beneath an iron portcullis, the former was granted, the latter yet to emerge.
"Is it just me," Leafa blinked, "or is it a coincidence. Kirito vanished after New Years, and all of this happens."
"Might be just that," Wick said.
"Coincidences make me twitch," Nori jogged in place.
"Who's he again?" Yuuki drew her weapon for practice swings.
Wick looked away from her, his gut twisting slightly.
"My cousin," Leafa stopped herself on an open patch of grass, "you'll probably see him soon."
"We can train here," Wick smiled before drawing his [Scimitar], careful to keep his eyes off Yuuki.
Irises of red watched as he and Leafa squared off, weapons pointed calmly as [Training Mode] initiated. Wick stepped back, keeping a forward and central guard, his offensive capacity diminished. Leafa drew low and to her left, fingers half curled as she circled around with a stoic pace.
He's definitely likes me, but how do I bring it up?
Leafa stepped forward, her advance prompting a quick flick from an opposing [Scimitar], her [Katana's] spine slapping it aside. Wick's guard opened forcefully with a light ring, coaxing him to lurch away as his opponent pursued, his defense whipped back to center. In his instinct, however, that same spine locked beneath a cross-guard.
"Better," Leafa smiled, "but now I've got your fingers. Now, what do you do next?"
"Uh," Wick blinked before stepping back, "this?"
"Good," she followed through with a back-step and center guard, "remember, your opponent will strike your center more frequently than not."
"Why not legs?" Yuuki said, "they'll have trouble moving."
"Beside it being dishonorable?" Leafa nodded to Wick, "go ahead, try that."
Wick swung low and for Leafa's thighs, stopping partway as her [Katana] reached between his elbows. With his guard exposed, her stab was left unmitigated as it punched through.
"As you can see," she said, "it's easy to counter. There's also disrespecting your opponent to worry about, what's to convince them to follow rules if you won't?"
Nori raced around, performing front flips with repetition as hands met rough golden blades.
"There're rules?" she said, "seriously, I didn't know."
"That's okay, most don't."
"Hm," Yuuki watched Wick as he tried landing a hit on Leafa, "could it be cause their lives are threatened?"
"I don't know," Leafa jabbed, "but it's important. We couldn't have a functioning society without rules."
Sun Dancer
"Yeah!" Kibaou yanked reins.
A horse of chestnut brown kicked back, mane fluttering as front legs bent. Sitting atop one of white, however, rested a grinning Taiyama.
"Diavel's already psyched," Kibaou laughed, "finally, cavalry's a legit option."
"You're welcome," Tai fist bumped, "was wondering when we'd get these."
"You should see him too," Kibaou slowed his ride, "been spending a ton on upgrading his [Lance]. Wouldn't be surprised if it starts one-shotting stuff. Speaking of which."
A vast shadow drew Tai's eye, [Asterius' Hammer] resting over a heavily bent shoulder. Its handle was wide, with etched grooves fit for larger hands. A narrow, tubular head extended out, dense and tipped with a pale crystalline solid. Lurching under its weight, Kibaou's pained grin reached across.
"Where're your stats, bro?" Tai laughed, "thing's bending you."
"Intelligence."
"Dude!"
"It's just for show. I don't actually plan on using it in a fight, it's a goddamn [Slaughter Maul]!"
"Then give your horse a break," Tai pointed down, "your killing the poor thing."
Kibaou followed through, his gaze surveying Nohr Valley's breadth as his weapon vanished.
"Your boys will get paid, but be ready. Gonna have a few dipshits unwilling to follow rules."
"Like?" Kibaou glanced, "got lots of people freaking over yesterday."
"I wanna arrest Nobel, guy's full of it."
"Ooh," a nod followed, "any urgency?"
"Preferably before his wall's finished. I doubt his goons are gonna be kind about it. Also, I'm pardoning Oran."
"What?" Kibaou glared, "dude, he killed a bunch of my guys."
"Did he?"
"Well," the commander looked aside, "he didn't help us. I've told my guys to prep an arrest for him."
"Do I have to convince you to take it back?"
"Bro, I'm always willing to negotiate. Convince me to not grab the snob."
Tai leaned in, using his height as leverage.
"I've finished funding for that new palace...and I may have some unused resources. It may or may not be yours if you focus towards sensible goals."
"And what makes you think I'll accept that?"
"You needed to up-fit your guys, right?"
Kibaou's hard gaze softened.
"You're right," Tai turned, "my mistake."
"How much?"
Sun Dancer
Asuna's fingers glided over a tarnished page, its ink half eroded by undesired moisture. A circular illustration, its perimeter lined with similar, smaller shapes, forming a ring band within. Within each, distinctive patterns filled their hollow cavities, some irregular, soft, others sharp and uniform. Only three remained from prolonged neglect, their proximity and size indicative of six others like them. Written in empty spaces, notes apart from its original print rambled. Crude and unsymmetrical, her eyes darted twice over each line.
"Planes exist past this one," Asuna read, "they possess a schedule to their accessibility. But what defines it? Nine planes, nine gas-giant planets, this isn't an accident. Never should've killed him."
Stepping in the main hall of a slowly disassembling palace, PoH listened as Asuna deciphered writings.
"Something acts as a gateway to us and magic," her eyes narrowed, "Aoki and Lowyse show a trend. A common factor leading up to initiation."
"Garr can be a bit dramatic," PoH said.
Asuna jerked a bit, closing pages with a clap.
"You scared me," she shivered briefly.
"Forgive me," PoH stroked his long hair back, "I doubt he wrote those notes with the thought of someone reading them."
"Do you know anything about these?" Asuna brought out the illustrated circle, "I'd call this crazy if we weren't here."
"Only two," PoH looked closely, "Dreamlands for one, the second's called Great Clock. From what he gathered, the former's a place of almost limitless malleability, molded by the psyche of its inhabitants at will. The latter...he simply assumed was the 'heaven' for Cel worshipers. Based on what I've heard, I'd say his guess is sound."
"So you can travel there?"
"The book describes such, sadly its details haven't aged well."
"Why wasn't Garr giving these to lore hunters?" Asuna put it away, "this knowledge is huge!"
"He told me was afraid of what he doesn't know, that this was largely inconclusive. Feared it'd invite matters from beyond his understanding." PoH laughed, "he'd get so emotional about it. Passionate to avoid, passionate to learn, couldn't make up his mind."
Asuna nodded, getting off of her chair to check for outfit wrinkles.
Why would a brute find interest with stuff like this? This adds nothing to his strength, or ability to swing, it makes zero sense. Wait, this talk of planes, other powers, killing someone. Is he...talking about Miakane? I should ask Heathcliff about this.
"Putting that aside," PoH bowed slightly, "is there anything you'd like, Asuna?"
Hazel eyes pulled up a list of friends, Leopon's and Lisbeth's earning stares.
I only wanted to protect everyone, why am I alone?
"Actually," Asuna said, "yes. I'd like to know about the missing people."
A smile grew across the Minister's face, eyes bright.
"Ah good," PoH bowed, "was hoping Taiyama would be open for discussing our next move."
"Okay," Asuna leaned, "how's it progressed?"
"Garr has graciously trusted me with ensuring Graye Sight would face no further attacks from the blue agents you both faced. Unfortunately, the guild has disbanded since Asterius' defeat. While I won't assume why, it leaves me with an unfulfilled claim, I had to make the next step."
"I heard they were trying to defend Asterius," Asuna watched PoH as he drew a colorful beverage, "was it true they attacked ALF?"
"I haven't seen it for myself," PoH sipped, "but it would be unwise to trust sources too deeply when the matter at hand is so personal. On the other hand, Graye Sight's memo has always regarded the NPCs as equal to us."
"Why?" Asuna blinked, "they spawn back, don't they?"
"The beetles always come back, don't they?"
"Of course they do," Asuna nodded.
"Then is it really a bold thing to suggest the Tauran will too?"
"No, but we won't."
"It's sad, we lost soldiers to this misunderstanding."
"We can't let that happen again," Asuna's eyes darkened, "we need to keep together."
"Then it's a good thing your...boyfriend, yes?"
"Yeah."
"Boyfriend, added safety measures to the rule set."
"I don't understand how Garr could tolerate them," Asuna rubbed her chin, "I've worked with him before all this. He said people come first."
"Maybe he's gone native, it happens."
"Hm," Asuna rubbed her chin, "I'll put that aside for now."
"Wanna try some of this?" PoH extended a glass of juice, "not gonna lie, this stuff has serious sass."
"Oh," Asuna smiled, "sure, anything it should remind me of?"
"Ever tried OJ? It's like that."
A tilt of her glass brought an affirmative mm from her lips, PoH sitting back and enjoying his.
"Where'd you find this?" Asuna looked.
"It's this wild plant out to the east side of Nohr," PoH smiled, "tried it a little to make sure it was safe, now I can't go on without it."
"I can see why," Asuna smiled back, "what's it look like?"
"Why would I tell you?" PoH's eyes narrowed.
"Cause I want it," Asuna swelled her eyes.
"I'd rather keep it my little secret," PoH shrugged, "but maybe I can trust you."
Asuna's gaze brightened for a moment, PoH's neutral as he looked to a thick statue. A large bear on all fours bent forward, outmatched by a [Trembling Cow] many times its height, with a hoof raised in climactic finale.
PoH is pretty handsome, his accent too. Ugh!
"So what about the kidnappers?" Asuna said.
"It was difficult to ascertain their possible motive," PoH checked messages, "they're not exactly open about it. Putting that aside, I did get an idea of their whereabouts."
Palace doors slammed open, an armored Taiyama swaying his way inside with his chin high.
"Babe," he said, "I just scored big time. Gonna get us lots of money for months to come."
"That's great," Asuna bowed softly, "how'd you do it?"
"Diavel wants horses, lots of 'em. Told him I've got a full pen, and would happily send him their babies for a 'discount'. Gets a cavalry guild started, we get security."
"Sounds like a win-win," Asuna stood before him.
PoH stepped aside as Tai lumbered over, eating Asuna's face out with little hesitation. Arms wrapped around, unapologetic as their adviser looked to a library's entrance. Black eyes faced lightly flapping doors, their mass shoved around by any incoming draft.
Asuna's fascination in what Garr barely understands leaves me stuck, I know she took at least two books from the racks. Was enough of a pain to get Tai to not kill every Tauran, but now I'm left tossing about as to what I should do. Magic's all well and good, but I doubt I could trust everyone with that sort of power. It'd be best if I got rid of this knowledge, I can keep things secure well enough.
"Sire," PoH bowed, "if I may?"
"May what?" Tai smirked, "suck my dick? Ah I'm kidding, what?"
"I've determined the kidnappers' location to be in Zumfut," PoH looked to Asuna, "I believe they've been using their own civil war as a cover for their attempts at exploiting us."
"Then they're mistaken," Asuna clenched a hand, "Tai, we should send troops there."
"Ha, Kibaou would love that. Thing is, I already told him to take care of something."
"What?" Asuna's tongue hitched.
"I told you about Nobel, he said he'll take care of it."
"Oh," Asuna slowed, "then what about Zumfut?"
"I can see maybe putting Lind or Diavel to it, shouldn't be too hard."
Asuna's eyes wandered slightly, her heart bouncing.
Do I wanna go and fight with them...or study this plane-travel with Heathcliff? Visit somewhere new here, or new there?
"I know that look," Tai smiled, "you serious?"
"I mean," Asuna brushed hair, "it's pretty exciting. I feel I'd be more useful there."
[From Kibaou: Yo king, Nobel's guys aren't letting up!]
PoH looked away while they worked.
She's really handing me too much. Acherres will love this shipment, though adding her could make things either more favorable...or worse. Now that I think about it...
"As long as you work with the guild I'm sending," Tai smiled.
[To Kibaou: you have permission, get him]
"I would actually recommend holding back," PoH said, "these imbeciles love kidnapping. You being queen would only complicate it further."
"Oh right," Tai stopped, "shit."
"Before I make my call," Asuna lifted her recent read, "look at this, Tai."
Back and forth his eyes scanned, a shrug his final motion after two minutes of viewing.
"Must be end-game material, I'd put that off till we're midway through this trap."
"Isn't it interesting?" Asuna said, "Garr took a lot of int-"
"You sure love talking about him."
Asuna shrank back, eyes dried.
"I'm confused," she said.
"I don't wanna hear that name, okay?" Tai grimaced.
Asuna blinked, nodding to Taiyama a moment later.
"I've lost so many friends because of him. Yuse, Aigen," Tai's gaze softened, "things die wherever he goes, let's not go that direction?"
"All I wanted was to show this to Heathcliff," Asuna crossed arms, "do you have a problem with that?"
"Wait, that's all?" Tai paused, "go ahead, just nothing revolving around that guy."
"Thank you," Asuna opened her messenger, "and for your information, I only talked about Garr cause my best friend was putting herself there!"
"Which sucks, I agree with you. Has Lis replied yet?"
"No, thinking of whether or not I should see her."
"You should," Tai said, "cause if I stepped up to them?" he shook his head, "it's gotta be you. Any idea when?"
"Not sure."
"Let me know, you can borrow my horse long as you keep giving him water. Oh, and time to graze."
Asuna nodded, opening her interface quickly.
[To Heathcliff: Can we talk in person? I've found some things about this game that confuse me]
[From: I would rather keep conversation here, why?]
[To: At what level should we enter these planes you made?]
"Definitely not excited for tomorrow," Tai sat with PoH, "gonna have the old guy coming. Probably gonna tell me how I'm doing some shit wrong."
"I'd actually call this favorable," PoH smiled, "we need healing supplies if we're to expand our limits. Besides, the Church would be my first guess at teaching healing magic."
"Not without something to gain. They're like gangsters, man. They just wear older clothes."
[From Heathcliff: Promise you will not speak of this publicly and we will talk today]
Asuna's eyebrow lowered, rereading it twice.
Why so tense?
A/N: Cause why not?
Hey guys, thanks for your patience. College's kept me pretty busy, as well as world building for my original work (hoping to publish someday). Be sure to review, my writing needs criticism!
See you again soon!
