Halkegenia Online Thread 6 - //"Pixies!"\\
- Thread starter Triggerhappy
- Start date
LGear
Secret Society BLANKET
Duke: Truly, Midori reminds me of yourself when you were younger.an NPC said:
Karin: I beg your pardon?
Duke: Cool yet brash, and wearing such delectable legwear. Also claims to be one gender when the truth is quite the contrary, and shares your penchant for getting into trou-
Karin: I believe that's quite enough.
LGear
Secret Society BLANKET
Do you truly want to shatter theGore17 said:
- Location
- Third planet from the star named Sol
- Pronouns
- He/They
We're Spacebattles, what do you expect?LGear said:
an NPC
Section 2, Combat Cyborg
"History would later remember that this generation of Tristainian noble officers would not only receive a sorely needed reorganisation and vastly improved tactical and strategic insight from their expanded and reformed training programs, but also a bizarre appreciation for pantyhose and spats.
In the years past the Transition, it became popular fashion for women to wear pantyhose and spats, especially those related or married to men in the military, a fashion choice which would come to define the military nobility in the decades to come."
Also:
"The standard PT uniform for females in the Royal Army has endured for centuries and shows little sign of being phased out or altered. One of the more delicate debates in military circles questions whether the shirt should be tucked into the bloomers or not.
Common consensus seems to rest firmly on the tucked in camp for now."
In the years past the Transition, it became popular fashion for women to wear pantyhose and spats, especially those related or married to men in the military, a fashion choice which would come to define the military nobility in the decades to come."
Also:
"The standard PT uniform for females in the Royal Army has endured for centuries and shows little sign of being phased out or altered. One of the more delicate debates in military circles questions whether the shirt should be tucked into the bloomers or not.
Common consensus seems to rest firmly on the tucked in camp for now."
37
Triggerhappy
Stick with Trigger and You'll Make it Through
- Location
- SoCal
[<One last little snip pending, however I don't know if I quite got the feel right in this one.]>
'I'm happy for them.' Suguha thought as she sat atop her bed, legs pulled up to her chin. 'I really am happy for them. Then why does it hurt so much?'
It was just past midnight. The reunion party had long since ended, people saying their goodbyes before setting out onto the orelit streets. At some point during the party, Yui had fallen asleep in Asuna's arms. Kirito had carried her home rather than waking her.
Suguha looked out her bedroom window, watching the moons hanging low in the sky. When Kirito and Asuna had accepted residence in this house, she and Yui had been given free reign to pick their own rooms. Suguha had found that she rather like the bedroom on the second floor which overlooked the garden, while Yui had quickly snapped up the remaining third story bedroom to stay close to her 'Mama' and 'Papa.'
Suguha smiled to herself. The more she watched them together, the more they seemed like a real family. They were a real family in every way that mattered. And that was what made it so painful. Yui and Asuna shared a bond with her brother that she lacked. And without that link, how could she ever stay at his side?
'What am I doing here?'
She'd thought that she could help, but her brother had people he relied on far more than her, Asuna and Klein, Silica and Lizbeth. Tonight at the party, it had been driven home once again. What connection did she share with him now?
They were siblings, above all else they had been raised as brother and sister. That should have counted for a lot, but Suguha didn't want that to be all. She didn't want to be a burden to him. She wanted . . . she wanted to be there for him, to be relied upon and trusted. More than anything, she didn't want to feel like they were strangers anymore.
She'd tried to do that. She'd tried hard, and she still felt like she'd failed.
After Asuna and Kirito had returned, Suguha had told them about the events in Tarbes and what had nearly happened to Yui. Klein had been right, her brother hadn't been angry at all. Instead, he and Asuna had listened and grown worried, not just for Yui, but for her as well. Somehow, that only made it worse, like they didn't expect her to be able to take care of herself.
A soft knock at the door startled Suguha from her thoughts. "Yes?"
The door creaked open, revealing a head of chestnut hair peaking in from the hallway.
"Oh, Asuna-san!" Suguha took a breath and tried to compose herself. What hope did she have if she couldn't even do this much?
"Can't sleep?" Asuna asked as she slipped into the room, dressed in a nightshirt and shorts, her permanently extended wings glowing softly in the reflected moonlight, giving the other girl an ethereal quality as she stepped out of the shadows.
"Un, just thinking." Suguha said, offering her a place at the edge of the bed. "A lot's happened."
She watched Asuna as she carefully took a seat. Her brother was lucky. After a week spent living with her, Suguha was sure that Asuna was everything her brother claimed she was. Kind, and warm, and gentle, and so very much stronger than her. She'd taken a liking to the older girl almost as soon as they had met.
Suguha wasn't jealous, she'd accepted her feelings for her brother, even if they were painful at first. No, Suguha had been thankful that Kazuto had found someone that could mean so much to him and who felt the same way back. So long as her brother had Asuna at his side, he could handle anything.
But at the same time, seeing them together just reminded her of how far apart she and her brother really were. Even now, Kirito lived in a different world from her, not because he couldn't come back, but because she couldn't keep up.
"Sugu." Asuna placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sugu, are you alright?"
"Ah!" She felt the heat around her eyes but thankfully was able to hold back the tears. "I . . . I'm sorry it's nothing . . ." She tried to say, tried to lie.
Asuna didn't believe her, but that was okay, she was kind enough not to push for an answer. "Sugu, I've been meaning to talk to you." She said, leaning back, she stretched her arms and wings across the bed.
Suguha listened curiously. What was this about? Well, she had some things to say as well. "Un, it's the same for me."
Asuna nodded. "I want to thank you again for all of your help. I'm glad that Kirito-kun had such a reliable person with him this whole time. And I'm especially glad that person was someone he cares deeply for. And I'm also glad for getting to meet you, Suguha."
Asuna's smile softened. "From what Kirito had told me about you, you're exactly the sort of person I imagined. I'm grateful."
Suguha was left speechless, she shook her head, it was just a polite compliment. "It wasn't anything special. Actually, Onii-chan helped me much more than I helped him."
That was right, without him, she'd probably still be curled up alone in an inn room somewhere in Arrun, crying her eyes out.
Asuna shook her head insistently. "That's not true at all Suguha-chan. You were there for him when all of this started. Even before that, back in that other world. You helped Kirito-kun . . . Kazuto-kun a lot, right?"
She felt embarrassed, she really hadn't done anything special. "I didn't do anything really . . . I . . ." Suguha took a breath, the sooner she said it, the sooner it would be over."Asuna-san, please continue to protect Onii-chan."
"Sugu?" Asuna breathed.
"It's just that. I feel like I can't really do anything for him." Her voice quavered, she swallowed, feeling a lump growing in her throat. "And, it hurts, because I'm not strong enough. But you are. So please stay at Onii-chan's side."
Suguha fell silent and waited for the reply. It was a long time in coming, but when it did, she hadn't expected the soft note of amusement in Asuna's voice.
"Is that what this is all about?" Asuna asked. "You know, Suguha-chan, you're much stronger than you think, definitely strong enough to stay by Kirito-kun's side."
Suguha wanted to believe it, she wanted to believe it so badly, but she didn't, she couldn't, and she didn't even try to hide it.
"You know." Asuna continued. "Lots of different people are strong in lots of different ways. Klein, and Liz, and Agil all have different ways of being strong. And nobody is strong all of the time."
"But you and Onii-chan are always strong when it matters . . ."
"No." Asuna breathed softly. "No, we're not. There are lots of times when we've both been very weak, that's why it's so important to protect each other. And that's why if I'm going to keep your Brother safe, I'm going to need us much help as I can get."
Suguha frowned, not really comprehending what Asuna was saying. "Asuna-san?"
"You think I'm a strong person?" Asuna asked thoughtfully. "I'm really not. In Aincrad, I spent my first week doing nothing but crying, and when I finally stopped, I nearly killed myself by fighting recklessly."
Asuna looked into the distance, into her own past. "I was really very foolish, and very weak, I didn't even have the strength to live on. I probably would have died without ever getting past the first floor if someone hadn't helped me." Her voice warmed as she continued to recal. "He was a little awkward, and a little . . . no, very suspicious, but he went out of his way to help without expecting anything in return, and he chose to continue living."
"Onii-chan?" Suguha asked.
"Un." Asuna agreed. "Kirito-kun is strong in lots of ways, but he's weak in lots of ways too. That's why we both have to help him as much as we can. He relies on you much more than you think."
Was that true? Suguha wondered. It couldn't be, could it?
"Suguha-chan." Asuna squeezed her hand. "You are Kirito-kun's precious little sister, and now that you finally have him back, I would never want to take Kirito-kun away from you. That's why, I want to ask for your blessing."
"M-my blessing?" Suguha was left confused.
"Un." Asuna nodded he head. "Suguha-chan, I want your blessing to become part of your family."
Suguha felt the burning around her eyes again, this time, she couldn't stop the tears as she met Asuna's gaze.
"You mean . . ."
"Mmm hmm." Asuna smiled as she stood and extended her hand in the light of the blue moon. "Oh please say you will."
"I . . . my family . . ." Wiping angrily at her eyes, she took Asuna's offered hand. "Of course!"
'I'm happy for them.' Suguha thought as she sat atop her bed, legs pulled up to her chin. 'I really am happy for them. Then why does it hurt so much?'
It was just past midnight. The reunion party had long since ended, people saying their goodbyes before setting out onto the orelit streets. At some point during the party, Yui had fallen asleep in Asuna's arms. Kirito had carried her home rather than waking her.
Suguha looked out her bedroom window, watching the moons hanging low in the sky. When Kirito and Asuna had accepted residence in this house, she and Yui had been given free reign to pick their own rooms. Suguha had found that she rather like the bedroom on the second floor which overlooked the garden, while Yui had quickly snapped up the remaining third story bedroom to stay close to her 'Mama' and 'Papa.'
Suguha smiled to herself. The more she watched them together, the more they seemed like a real family. They were a real family in every way that mattered. And that was what made it so painful. Yui and Asuna shared a bond with her brother that she lacked. And without that link, how could she ever stay at his side?
'What am I doing here?'
She'd thought that she could help, but her brother had people he relied on far more than her, Asuna and Klein, Silica and Lizbeth. Tonight at the party, it had been driven home once again. What connection did she share with him now?
They were siblings, above all else they had been raised as brother and sister. That should have counted for a lot, but Suguha didn't want that to be all. She didn't want to be a burden to him. She wanted . . . she wanted to be there for him, to be relied upon and trusted. More than anything, she didn't want to feel like they were strangers anymore.
She'd tried to do that. She'd tried hard, and she still felt like she'd failed.
After Asuna and Kirito had returned, Suguha had told them about the events in Tarbes and what had nearly happened to Yui. Klein had been right, her brother hadn't been angry at all. Instead, he and Asuna had listened and grown worried, not just for Yui, but for her as well. Somehow, that only made it worse, like they didn't expect her to be able to take care of herself.
A soft knock at the door startled Suguha from her thoughts. "Yes?"
The door creaked open, revealing a head of chestnut hair peaking in from the hallway.
"Oh, Asuna-san!" Suguha took a breath and tried to compose herself. What hope did she have if she couldn't even do this much?
"Can't sleep?" Asuna asked as she slipped into the room, dressed in a nightshirt and shorts, her permanently extended wings glowing softly in the reflected moonlight, giving the other girl an ethereal quality as she stepped out of the shadows.
"Un, just thinking." Suguha said, offering her a place at the edge of the bed. "A lot's happened."
She watched Asuna as she carefully took a seat. Her brother was lucky. After a week spent living with her, Suguha was sure that Asuna was everything her brother claimed she was. Kind, and warm, and gentle, and so very much stronger than her. She'd taken a liking to the older girl almost as soon as they had met.
Suguha wasn't jealous, she'd accepted her feelings for her brother, even if they were painful at first. No, Suguha had been thankful that Kazuto had found someone that could mean so much to him and who felt the same way back. So long as her brother had Asuna at his side, he could handle anything.
But at the same time, seeing them together just reminded her of how far apart she and her brother really were. Even now, Kirito lived in a different world from her, not because he couldn't come back, but because she couldn't keep up.
"Sugu." Asuna placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sugu, are you alright?"
"Ah!" She felt the heat around her eyes but thankfully was able to hold back the tears. "I . . . I'm sorry it's nothing . . ." She tried to say, tried to lie.
Asuna didn't believe her, but that was okay, she was kind enough not to push for an answer. "Sugu, I've been meaning to talk to you." She said, leaning back, she stretched her arms and wings across the bed.
Suguha listened curiously. What was this about? Well, she had some things to say as well. "Un, it's the same for me."
Asuna nodded. "I want to thank you again for all of your help. I'm glad that Kirito-kun had such a reliable person with him this whole time. And I'm especially glad that person was someone he cares deeply for. And I'm also glad for getting to meet you, Suguha."
Asuna's smile softened. "From what Kirito had told me about you, you're exactly the sort of person I imagined. I'm grateful."
Suguha was left speechless, she shook her head, it was just a polite compliment. "It wasn't anything special. Actually, Onii-chan helped me much more than I helped him."
That was right, without him, she'd probably still be curled up alone in an inn room somewhere in Arrun, crying her eyes out.
Asuna shook her head insistently. "That's not true at all Suguha-chan. You were there for him when all of this started. Even before that, back in that other world. You helped Kirito-kun . . . Kazuto-kun a lot, right?"
She felt embarrassed, she really hadn't done anything special. "I didn't do anything really . . . I . . ." Suguha took a breath, the sooner she said it, the sooner it would be over."Asuna-san, please continue to protect Onii-chan."
"Sugu?" Asuna breathed.
"It's just that. I feel like I can't really do anything for him." Her voice quavered, she swallowed, feeling a lump growing in her throat. "And, it hurts, because I'm not strong enough. But you are. So please stay at Onii-chan's side."
Suguha fell silent and waited for the reply. It was a long time in coming, but when it did, she hadn't expected the soft note of amusement in Asuna's voice.
"Is that what this is all about?" Asuna asked. "You know, Suguha-chan, you're much stronger than you think, definitely strong enough to stay by Kirito-kun's side."
Suguha wanted to believe it, she wanted to believe it so badly, but she didn't, she couldn't, and she didn't even try to hide it.
"You know." Asuna continued. "Lots of different people are strong in lots of different ways. Klein, and Liz, and Agil all have different ways of being strong. And nobody is strong all of the time."
"But you and Onii-chan are always strong when it matters . . ."
"No." Asuna breathed softly. "No, we're not. There are lots of times when we've both been very weak, that's why it's so important to protect each other. And that's why if I'm going to keep your Brother safe, I'm going to need us much help as I can get."
Suguha frowned, not really comprehending what Asuna was saying. "Asuna-san?"
"You think I'm a strong person?" Asuna asked thoughtfully. "I'm really not. In Aincrad, I spent my first week doing nothing but crying, and when I finally stopped, I nearly killed myself by fighting recklessly."
Asuna looked into the distance, into her own past. "I was really very foolish, and very weak, I didn't even have the strength to live on. I probably would have died without ever getting past the first floor if someone hadn't helped me." Her voice warmed as she continued to recal. "He was a little awkward, and a little . . . no, very suspicious, but he went out of his way to help without expecting anything in return, and he chose to continue living."
"Onii-chan?" Suguha asked.
"Un." Asuna agreed. "Kirito-kun is strong in lots of ways, but he's weak in lots of ways too. That's why we both have to help him as much as we can. He relies on you much more than you think."
Was that true? Suguha wondered. It couldn't be, could it?
"Suguha-chan." Asuna squeezed her hand. "You are Kirito-kun's precious little sister, and now that you finally have him back, I would never want to take Kirito-kun away from you. That's why, I want to ask for your blessing."
"M-my blessing?" Suguha was left confused.
"Un." Asuna nodded he head. "Suguha-chan, I want your blessing to become part of your family."
Suguha felt the burning around her eyes again, this time, she couldn't stop the tears as she met Asuna's gaze.
"You mean . . ."
"Mmm hmm." Asuna smiled as she stood and extended her hand in the light of the blue moon. "Oh please say you will."
"I . . . my family . . ." Wiping angrily at her eyes, she took Asuna's offered hand. "Of course!"
Triggerhappy
Stick with Trigger and You'll Make it Through
- Location
- SoCal
You gave me an idea for my next Omake. Have to finish this first.Gore17 said:
Triggerhappy
Stick with Trigger and You'll Make it Through
- Location
- SoCal
You're half on the right track, but still offDragonKing0117 said:
- Location
- Third planet from the star named Sol
- Pronouns
- He/They
I think I know how the omake will play out. A small series of shenanigans, ending with Kirito/Midori contemplating just coming out about being a guy. OR, it will be guys going after 'Midori' and always running into Kirito instead, although I wonder how TH will pull off the bath one in this idea.
Well in the latest crack even Karins husband thought she acted like Karin herself, so clearly this must be a sign of Halkeginia's overall view on her.Inverness said:
zero_traveler
Revolver Ocelot
- Location
- Revolver Ocelot
Because I don't like bad ends, It time to introduce yet another series that came through the transition!
From earlier...
Sakuya felt herself waking slowly, to the feeling of being supported by someones arms. They were thick and felt as though they needed only the slightest fraction of their strength to hold her up. Her eyes flutter open to find that...that monstrous impostor fighting against several other figures who appeared to just be standing there, while flickering shadows beat back the monster from all sides.
"Hey, good to see you're awake." A deep, manly bass voice rumbled from the one holding her up.
"Guys, she's awaaaake!" Came an impish sounding voice from nearby. "I'm so bear-ry glad we made it in time!"
"Not now! Guys, it's a Wind-Aspect! Zap it with lightning, Sempai!"
Sakuya was having trouble holding on to everything going on around her, first that doppleganger, and now these strange people. She felt herself steadied on her feet, and some of the details cleared up, but a lot was still shrouded by that fog, she could just make out the battle occurring, though the monster that had worn her face was frighteningly clear to her.
"Let's do it! Go for it, Partner!"
IZANAGI!
Sakuya flinched back as a horrific storm of lightning lanced down from above, blasting the monster into the ground, where it slowly faded away to the doppleganger form, wisps of black smoke rising from it.
"Are you alright?" a soft, fluttery-sounding voice asked from beside her, belonging to an elegant silhouette holding a folding fan. She appeared to be wearing a Kimono. "We can help you, but you have to do the hardest part yourself."
"Right!" an excitable voice from the other side chirped, this one belonging to a slightly older woman in what looked like a tracksuit? "We can only hold it off for so long, so you have to get it together! Whatever you are going through, that's still a part of yourself and who you are."
"Everyone, more Shadows are coming!" a deep female voice called from behind all of them, before sounds of gunshots rang out, followed by an explosion.
[<URL href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_SPdmQ7TFQ&list=PLBFF0287A387520DE&index=51"]BGM CHANGE[/URL]>
The last figure turned, the glasses he was wearing glinting brightly in an ethereal light that wasn't really there. he shouldered his katana, and held out a hand.
"Everyone has a small part of themselves they don't like to admit to. The important part is recognizing that as yourself, and keep walking forward, keep your head up."
As they moved out of her line of sight, she was left staring at the doppleganger that had started all of this. It was quiet at the moment, a slight slump of dejectedness, it's inhuman yellow eyes downcast.
"I...I'm sorry, I just didn't want to admit those feelings, but you are me, aren't you?"
"...You are Me...and I am You." The Shadow echoed, before dissolving into motes of light that became a refined woman, gently cradling a sword as though it were a child.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Ok, so I've been listening to a lot of "I'll Face Myself", I don't like bad ends (like what Sakuya was about to go through with no Persona user there to save her from herself...) and I wrote this on a lack of sleep, no promises about it's quality.
Then again, people seem to like the things I write off the cuff, as opposed to the stuff I get an Idea for an plan and think out sooo.....
From earlier...
Sakuya felt herself waking slowly, to the feeling of being supported by someones arms. They were thick and felt as though they needed only the slightest fraction of their strength to hold her up. Her eyes flutter open to find that...that monstrous impostor fighting against several other figures who appeared to just be standing there, while flickering shadows beat back the monster from all sides.
"Hey, good to see you're awake." A deep, manly bass voice rumbled from the one holding her up.
"Guys, she's awaaaake!" Came an impish sounding voice from nearby. "I'm so bear-ry glad we made it in time!"
"Not now! Guys, it's a Wind-Aspect! Zap it with lightning, Sempai!"
Sakuya was having trouble holding on to everything going on around her, first that doppleganger, and now these strange people. She felt herself steadied on her feet, and some of the details cleared up, but a lot was still shrouded by that fog, she could just make out the battle occurring, though the monster that had worn her face was frighteningly clear to her.
"Let's do it! Go for it, Partner!"
IZANAGI!
Sakuya flinched back as a horrific storm of lightning lanced down from above, blasting the monster into the ground, where it slowly faded away to the doppleganger form, wisps of black smoke rising from it.
"Are you alright?" a soft, fluttery-sounding voice asked from beside her, belonging to an elegant silhouette holding a folding fan. She appeared to be wearing a Kimono. "We can help you, but you have to do the hardest part yourself."
"Right!" an excitable voice from the other side chirped, this one belonging to a slightly older woman in what looked like a tracksuit? "We can only hold it off for so long, so you have to get it together! Whatever you are going through, that's still a part of yourself and who you are."
"Everyone, more Shadows are coming!" a deep female voice called from behind all of them, before sounds of gunshots rang out, followed by an explosion.
[<URL href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_SPdmQ7TFQ&list=PLBFF0287A387520DE&index=51"]BGM CHANGE[/URL]>
The last figure turned, the glasses he was wearing glinting brightly in an ethereal light that wasn't really there. he shouldered his katana, and held out a hand.
"Everyone has a small part of themselves they don't like to admit to. The important part is recognizing that as yourself, and keep walking forward, keep your head up."
As they moved out of her line of sight, she was left staring at the doppleganger that had started all of this. It was quiet at the moment, a slight slump of dejectedness, it's inhuman yellow eyes downcast.
"I...I'm sorry, I just didn't want to admit those feelings, but you are me, aren't you?"
"...You are Me...and I am You." The Shadow echoed, before dissolving into motes of light that became a refined woman, gently cradling a sword as though it were a child.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Ok, so I've been listening to a lot of "I'll Face Myself", I don't like bad ends (like what Sakuya was about to go through with no Persona user there to save her from herself...) and I wrote this on a lack of sleep, no promises about it's quality.
Then again, people seem to like the things I write off the cuff, as opposed to the stuff I get an Idea for an plan and think out sooo.....
38
Triggerhappy
Stick with Trigger and You'll Make it Through
- Location
- SoCal
[<Final Epilogue Snip]> - Yeah this one is either stupid or well played. Amusingly I did drop one hint about it a long time ago -
In the predawn light, on a hill top not far from the outskirts of Arrun, two Faeries had set down short of the summit, making it to the top just as the sun crested the horizon. Both were casually dressed with only a knife and sword to protect themselves. Thanks to the mob patrols, this area was relatively devoid of dangerous creatures and anything they couldn't fight, they could easily run away from using their wings.
The feeling of relative safety was kind of strange and not entirely welcome after their weeks of sneaking, running, and fighting for their lives across the isle of Albion. But they were getting use to it, slowly.
"Hurry up, Caramella." Kino called as he reached the top of the hill and carefully lowered the canvas wrapped pack that he'd been carrying.
Further down the hill, his partner trudged, eyes bleary. Dawn was too damn early to be awake. The combination of constantly traveling at night, and then spending several days awake and wired to fight, had completely wrecked her internal clock. That was why she'd spent the last week sleeping in until noon or Kino kicked her our of bed, whichever came first.
"I'll get there when I get there!" Caramella shouted back. It wasn't like she'd fallen that far behind. Besides, the guys they were here for wouldn't mind waiting a few more minutes.
Reaching the top, Caramella found that Kino had already gotten to work opening his pack and carefully setting the stone into place on the spot they had leveled the day before.
There had been an official announcement a few days ago that a sort of memorial was in planning to pay respects to those who had died or fallen since their arrival in Tristain, but it hadn't seemed right to wait. That was why, after getting permission, she and the others had settled on this.
Kino finished setting the stone marker in place before stepping back to let Caramella lay out the flowers and incense. Once she was finished, she too took a step back and bowed her head.
As the sun continued to rise, the engravings in the stone surface began to stand out. Small, carefully engraved rows of names. Twenty lines comprising the players handle, their real name if it was known, their occupation, and their guild status.
"Hey everyone. Aki-chan, Guile-kun." Caramella said softly. "I hope this is okay."
Asuna had officially disbanded the Knights of Blood in a small ceremony at the beginning of the week, but it had only really been symbolic. People couldn't go through what they had been through and then just walk away.
Caramella still saw Baku and Nishida everyday, and she still gave Ivan a hard time, although not as much as she'd used to, he'd taken Shio's death pretty hard . . .
The point was, that they still helped each other, and they still felt connected to one another. They might not call Asuna their leader anymore, but that was just semantics. Most importantly, they didn't forget their friends.
She took a breath, looking up into the sky. The Spherical crest of the World Tree filled half of her view, even this far from the trunk. "It's kind of funny you know. We're only a couple of kilometers from where we started from." She shook her head. "Hell of a detour wasn't it? I mean if I'd known, I would have just bought the damn map I . . ."
Kino put a hand on her shoulder. There was more than a little guilt. It had all come down to luck in the end. Who was where and when. Who was alive and who wasn't.
"I'm sorry you guys didn't make it." Caramella whispered. "I'm sorry we couldn't all go home. But I promise we're going to try to keep everyone else safe. We . . . we won't . . . won't let anyone else die without a fight! And I promise we won't forget you."
That was right, their deaths weren't meaningless as long as they gave Caramella and the others the resolve to keep fighting. A lot of the former players that had made up the KoB defense squads in Albion had already volunteered for mob patrol duty or even to serve in the Faerie volunteers forwarded to the Royal Army. The sacrifices had lit something in them that must hadn't even known they had.
Caramella had intended to jump on the opportunity to join the Army volunteers, but before she'd had the chance, something else had reared its head. The Faerie Lords, fancy name for the Players who'd ended up in charge, were head hunting to fill out some new group of fighters, and she and Kino's names had come up.
She hadn't been interested at first, that was, until she'd seen who the Undine Representative was. Caramella didn't believe in fate, or have a whole lot of faith in divine intervention, but when the Universe was shouting that loudly in her face, she figured it was probably a good idea to listen.
She owed Thinker a lot, not the least of which was an apology for being a huge ass right up to until Kibao had shown just how much a prick he could really be. She couldn't think of any better way to show her sincerity.
The only thing causing her to hesitate was, well, Kino. Her partner stood with his own head bowed solemnly, paying his respects. Cap off, eyes closed, he really looked like a kid. How old was he really? He looked twelve or thirteen, so really, he was probably fourteen or fifteen.
She didn't know when it had really happened, but at some point they'd started to lean on one another, and now they didn't know how to stop. So she knew without a doubt, that if she accepted the offer, Kino would be right behind her.
Arguile's words from all those weeks ago rang in her head. Adults couldn't just let kids fight for them. But she didn't know if she could stop him. Did they even have that luxury?
The Faerie Lords were putting a lot of effort into trying to screen out the youngest players, but there were only sixty thousand Fae, they needed every person who was able and willing to fight. And Kino had a knack for fighting IRL that bellied his skills from SAO. He was good, really good, scary good.
"Aki-chan. I'm sorry, I'm sorry that I didn't protect you, and I'm so sorry we didn't get to know each other better." Caramella said. "And I know you were only joking, but you were right . . . I did think that."
"And Guile-kun . . . don't worry, I'm going to keep a good eye on Asuna. She has plenty of reliable people watching her now, so you can rest easy."
Kino nodded in agreement. "Thank you, for everything Arguile-san. You and Asuna gave me a chance, I just wish I could have done more."
"You will, Kino." Caramella said softly.
Both fell silent for a time, alone with their thoughts and prayers. There was nothing more to say except what they and the dead already knew. At last, the distant bells began to ring in Arrun tower, signaling the beginning of the day.
"We're going to head out now." Caramella said. "But don't worry, everyone else is going to come pay their respects later." A more formal meeting had already been arranged for everyone to say their farewells, but Caramella had wanted to be the first.
Turning slowly to leave, Caramella took in her surroundings and paused. Golden light shown off the pale bulk of the World Tree's trunk, and spilled down across the the roof tops and streets of Arrun.
The root created hills surrounding the World Tree gave way wide open fields spreading out in every direction, alternating with thick patches of forest that stretched towards mountains so far off that it made Aincrad's ten kilometer wide floors seem cramped in comparison.
The grass and trees rustled softly in the morning breeze, and for the first time, Caramella felt, really felt, that they were free. She blinked away the tears as something inside of her began to move once more, something that had been frozen still for a very long time.
"This is a good place." Kino said. "I think Guile-kun would have like it here."
She nodded. "I think you're right."
"Come on let's get going, Caramella." Kino said. "You said you wanted to try the fried eggs at that new place by the gates."
"Naomi."
Kino stopped and looked back. "Did you say something?"
Caramella smiled as she reached out to mess her partners hair. "I said, you can call me Naomi."
The young knife users eyes went wide before smiling back. "Un. Then you can call my Hayato, if you want."
And then, Caramella did something she hadn't done intentionally in almost two years. She giggled. "I think I'll stick to Kino in public, Hayato sounds a little dorky to me."
"Hey!" Kino said indignantly. "Well then, maybe I'll just have to call you Caramel-chan from now on!"
"Ah." She smiled. "It's Ca-ra-mel-la!"
They were still bickering as they extended their pale white wings, Kino taking off a little more shakily than his partner, and head back towards Arrun.
The hilltop fell silent, the gentle breeze plucking loose a few flower petals and playing them across the smooth surface of the stone marker and the names engraved there, etched in stone and guarded by a spell of permanence.
"Aki"- Ozu Akari - Swordswoman of Aincrad - Guild Leader of the Violet Hearts.
"Mizuki" - - Ninja of Aincrad - Guild Member of the Hundred Shinobi Alliance.
"Arguile" - Hiraga Saito - Knight of Aincrad - Guild Member Knights of Blood
In the predawn light, on a hill top not far from the outskirts of Arrun, two Faeries had set down short of the summit, making it to the top just as the sun crested the horizon. Both were casually dressed with only a knife and sword to protect themselves. Thanks to the mob patrols, this area was relatively devoid of dangerous creatures and anything they couldn't fight, they could easily run away from using their wings.
The feeling of relative safety was kind of strange and not entirely welcome after their weeks of sneaking, running, and fighting for their lives across the isle of Albion. But they were getting use to it, slowly.
"Hurry up, Caramella." Kino called as he reached the top of the hill and carefully lowered the canvas wrapped pack that he'd been carrying.
Further down the hill, his partner trudged, eyes bleary. Dawn was too damn early to be awake. The combination of constantly traveling at night, and then spending several days awake and wired to fight, had completely wrecked her internal clock. That was why she'd spent the last week sleeping in until noon or Kino kicked her our of bed, whichever came first.
"I'll get there when I get there!" Caramella shouted back. It wasn't like she'd fallen that far behind. Besides, the guys they were here for wouldn't mind waiting a few more minutes.
Reaching the top, Caramella found that Kino had already gotten to work opening his pack and carefully setting the stone into place on the spot they had leveled the day before.
There had been an official announcement a few days ago that a sort of memorial was in planning to pay respects to those who had died or fallen since their arrival in Tristain, but it hadn't seemed right to wait. That was why, after getting permission, she and the others had settled on this.
Kino finished setting the stone marker in place before stepping back to let Caramella lay out the flowers and incense. Once she was finished, she too took a step back and bowed her head.
As the sun continued to rise, the engravings in the stone surface began to stand out. Small, carefully engraved rows of names. Twenty lines comprising the players handle, their real name if it was known, their occupation, and their guild status.
"Hey everyone. Aki-chan, Guile-kun." Caramella said softly. "I hope this is okay."
Asuna had officially disbanded the Knights of Blood in a small ceremony at the beginning of the week, but it had only really been symbolic. People couldn't go through what they had been through and then just walk away.
Caramella still saw Baku and Nishida everyday, and she still gave Ivan a hard time, although not as much as she'd used to, he'd taken Shio's death pretty hard . . .
The point was, that they still helped each other, and they still felt connected to one another. They might not call Asuna their leader anymore, but that was just semantics. Most importantly, they didn't forget their friends.
She took a breath, looking up into the sky. The Spherical crest of the World Tree filled half of her view, even this far from the trunk. "It's kind of funny you know. We're only a couple of kilometers from where we started from." She shook her head. "Hell of a detour wasn't it? I mean if I'd known, I would have just bought the damn map I . . ."
Kino put a hand on her shoulder. There was more than a little guilt. It had all come down to luck in the end. Who was where and when. Who was alive and who wasn't.
"I'm sorry you guys didn't make it." Caramella whispered. "I'm sorry we couldn't all go home. But I promise we're going to try to keep everyone else safe. We . . . we won't . . . won't let anyone else die without a fight! And I promise we won't forget you."
That was right, their deaths weren't meaningless as long as they gave Caramella and the others the resolve to keep fighting. A lot of the former players that had made up the KoB defense squads in Albion had already volunteered for mob patrol duty or even to serve in the Faerie volunteers forwarded to the Royal Army. The sacrifices had lit something in them that must hadn't even known they had.
Caramella had intended to jump on the opportunity to join the Army volunteers, but before she'd had the chance, something else had reared its head. The Faerie Lords, fancy name for the Players who'd ended up in charge, were head hunting to fill out some new group of fighters, and she and Kino's names had come up.
She hadn't been interested at first, that was, until she'd seen who the Undine Representative was. Caramella didn't believe in fate, or have a whole lot of faith in divine intervention, but when the Universe was shouting that loudly in her face, she figured it was probably a good idea to listen.
She owed Thinker a lot, not the least of which was an apology for being a huge ass right up to until Kibao had shown just how much a prick he could really be. She couldn't think of any better way to show her sincerity.
The only thing causing her to hesitate was, well, Kino. Her partner stood with his own head bowed solemnly, paying his respects. Cap off, eyes closed, he really looked like a kid. How old was he really? He looked twelve or thirteen, so really, he was probably fourteen or fifteen.
She didn't know when it had really happened, but at some point they'd started to lean on one another, and now they didn't know how to stop. So she knew without a doubt, that if she accepted the offer, Kino would be right behind her.
Arguile's words from all those weeks ago rang in her head. Adults couldn't just let kids fight for them. But she didn't know if she could stop him. Did they even have that luxury?
The Faerie Lords were putting a lot of effort into trying to screen out the youngest players, but there were only sixty thousand Fae, they needed every person who was able and willing to fight. And Kino had a knack for fighting IRL that bellied his skills from SAO. He was good, really good, scary good.
"Aki-chan. I'm sorry, I'm sorry that I didn't protect you, and I'm so sorry we didn't get to know each other better." Caramella said. "And I know you were only joking, but you were right . . . I did think that."
"And Guile-kun . . . don't worry, I'm going to keep a good eye on Asuna. She has plenty of reliable people watching her now, so you can rest easy."
Kino nodded in agreement. "Thank you, for everything Arguile-san. You and Asuna gave me a chance, I just wish I could have done more."
"You will, Kino." Caramella said softly.
Both fell silent for a time, alone with their thoughts and prayers. There was nothing more to say except what they and the dead already knew. At last, the distant bells began to ring in Arrun tower, signaling the beginning of the day.
"We're going to head out now." Caramella said. "But don't worry, everyone else is going to come pay their respects later." A more formal meeting had already been arranged for everyone to say their farewells, but Caramella had wanted to be the first.
Turning slowly to leave, Caramella took in her surroundings and paused. Golden light shown off the pale bulk of the World Tree's trunk, and spilled down across the the roof tops and streets of Arrun.
The root created hills surrounding the World Tree gave way wide open fields spreading out in every direction, alternating with thick patches of forest that stretched towards mountains so far off that it made Aincrad's ten kilometer wide floors seem cramped in comparison.
The grass and trees rustled softly in the morning breeze, and for the first time, Caramella felt, really felt, that they were free. She blinked away the tears as something inside of her began to move once more, something that had been frozen still for a very long time.
"This is a good place." Kino said. "I think Guile-kun would have like it here."
She nodded. "I think you're right."
"Come on let's get going, Caramella." Kino said. "You said you wanted to try the fried eggs at that new place by the gates."
"Naomi."
Kino stopped and looked back. "Did you say something?"
Caramella smiled as she reached out to mess her partners hair. "I said, you can call me Naomi."
The young knife users eyes went wide before smiling back. "Un. Then you can call my Hayato, if you want."
And then, Caramella did something she hadn't done intentionally in almost two years. She giggled. "I think I'll stick to Kino in public, Hayato sounds a little dorky to me."
"Hey!" Kino said indignantly. "Well then, maybe I'll just have to call you Caramel-chan from now on!"
"Ah." She smiled. "It's Ca-ra-mel-la!"
They were still bickering as they extended their pale white wings, Kino taking off a little more shakily than his partner, and head back towards Arrun.
The hilltop fell silent, the gentle breeze plucking loose a few flower petals and playing them across the smooth surface of the stone marker and the names engraved there, etched in stone and guarded by a spell of permanence.
"Aki"- Ozu Akari - Swordswoman of Aincrad - Guild Leader of the Violet Hearts.
"Mizuki" - - Ninja of Aincrad - Guild Member of the Hundred Shinobi Alliance.
"Arguile" - Hiraga Saito - Knight of Aincrad - Guild Member Knights of Blood
... Hiraga Saito.
Oh well played.
Also, what did Aki say Caramella thought?
And, finally, due to the "Caramel-chan" nickname...
Dansa med oss, klappa era hander...
Oh well played.
Also, what did Aki say Caramella thought?
And, finally, due to the "Caramel-chan" nickname...
Dansa med oss, klappa era hander...
mdkcde
"Emotions are prohibited"
- Location
- Nani Sore?
al103
Grumpy Russian Bear (SV edition)
- Location
- Russia, Krasnoyarsk
Should be "Arguile-san". I honestly can't imagine Kino calling Arguile on "-kun". Especially after death, but even before that.Triggerhappy said:
Anzer'ke
Anarchism Ho!
Well now I want something about the hundred shinobi alliance.Triggerhappy said:
Also HOLY SHIT! What a tweeest!
What was the hint by the way? Ah, either way that is just...now we just need to have Louise happen by and feel a momentary breeze. The edge of a whole world that might have been.
Heck, I guess that makes this entire story into a butterfly effect fic, Hiraga Saito manages to get a copy of SAO where in ZnTverse he lost his place in the line. The world changed because of a bladder.
That said, before someone corrects me I am aware that this would be him getting grabbed later in life, so basically the difference is what time ZnTverse was synced to ours along. I know.
mdkcde
"Emotions are prohibited"
- Location
- Nani Sore?
He would be on his high 30s to mid 40s at the time wouldn't he?
So Saito just aged as he should have in this case.
Not really, HalkO happens chronologically 20 years after ZnT canon.Anzer'ke said:
So Saito just aged as he should have in this case.