[color=turquoise]Cinera
[u]Day 16 - Sunset - Lvl 13[/u]
[@Zelosse]

Cinera decided not to eat, just yet, as she wanted to really take in this moment. They hadn't gotten to relax in awhile, and this area really was beautiful. Her eyes gazed deep into the blue haze above her, a sort of forlorn look in her eyes. This game was pretty fun, but they still needed to live with the fact that they could die in here. Every new monster was a threat to their safety. Sure, they were fighting for the freedom of those around them, for the good of the world... but what about those in their guild? What about Delcastle's safety? They were treading into ground that not even the higher-level guilds had begun to explore, and it made her feel sick with worry to even think about it. She wanted to protect him, but she may not be able to if they got into trouble in a place like that.

When he lay down beside her, she found herself sneaking a peek at his face. He seemed peaceful - relaxed - and she was glad to see that he had joined her in the moment. Cinera didn't even notice the slight redness that crept onto her cheeks as she gazed at him. [i]There isn't a bit of worry in him... He's so strong...[/i] His vision for the future sounded like a dream. So much so, that at times she almost thought it was unattainable. Some nights, she worried that they would be stuck in this world forever. She always worried. And yet, when she saw him looking like this, a sort of spark ignited within her that told her to keep trying. That it's too soon to assume the worst will happen. That giving up never solves anything.

His question sort of baffled her, but she redirected her gaze back to the sky and thought about it for a moment. [b]"My heart, huh... Well, in my heart I see a world different than yours..."[/b] Cinera's expression changed ever-so-slightly, and she seemed to be almost in a trance as she said this. [b]"I see us striving forward, pushing through enemies, but I see us hanging on by a string. I see us biting off more than we can chew, facing enemies we aren't ready for because we are so eager to help move everyone forward... I see us trusting people we shouldn't, because we don't want to be selfish, because the World Walkers are here for the players, not for ourselves... I see a lot of trouble ahead..."[/b] She seemed to snap out of it, though, as she rolled onto her side, laughing a bit as she nervously faced Delcastle. [b]"I-I mean... I'm a worrier, though! I doubt we'd ever get ourselves into any real trouble..."[/b] Her eyes betrayed her words as she sat up, trying to change the subject away from her slip-up. [i]I can't let him know that I've been so nervous... He won't let me keep fighting...[/i] She reached into the basket and pulled out one of the sandwiches, handing it to Delcastle with a happy smile. [b]"Here! You did say you were starving, before."[/b][/color]

[hr]
[color=red]ScarletRain
[u]Day 16 - Sunset - Lvl 15[/u]
[@Zelosse][@Haeo]

Her grandfather's words really surprised her. [b]"You play games...? Like, normally?"[/b] Scarlet was stunned. She hadn't really known much about her grandfather or her "uncle", but she hadn't expected them to enjoy this sort of thing. Even seeing them in SAO in the first place had been strange. She wouldn't have even approached someone with such an old avatar if it weren't for the fact that the mirror made him look like himself. Old people and video games didn't really mix, in her mind. Her eyes scanned over both of them. [i]I call bullshit.[/i] They were here in the gorge, though. And they were both higher levels than her, if only by a little. That had to say something.[/color]

[b]"Don't gotta fight the world alone."[/b]

[color=red]Something in that struck a nerve in Scarlet. Her heart ached a little and she felt the tears well up a bit in her eyes. Before she could hide them though, he grabbed her in a big hug that made her yelp. [i]What the hell?![/i] So much for any sentimental feeling. Her face flushed red as she pushed him away a bit, stepping back defensively. It had been a caring gesture, one that she almost appreciated, but she hated people touching her. It was a vicious reminder that he didn't really know anything about her. Why did he keep pretending like he did? [b]"D-Don't touch me..."[/b] She murmured, averting her eyes from them.

Her grandfather seemed to be striking the right chords with her, but meanwhile Smarter was sort of ticking her off. [b]"Judging the tailor is no different than judging my sense of style,"[/b] She told him, blatantly. [b]"I'm only saying what I see in front of me, asshole. And I wouldn't be so stupid as to think I [i]need[/i] a piece of clothing to be strong."[/b] Scarlet grew more and more angry by the moment. The old geezers... they kept speaking as if each word they said was something she needed to hear! It felt manipulative, and annoying, and it made her very angry. [b]"God, stop pretending you fucking know anything about me! BOTH of you!"[/b] She glared at her grandfather, and then back at Smarter. [b]"Honestly, I could give a rats ass what you old geezers do, or if you think you're some damn gaming geniuses or whatever. Just... just fuck off, already."[/b]

A sort of sadness flickered past the anger in her eyes, but before anyone could ask about it she turned and ran off. [i]I don't need to deal with this...[/i] Scarlet ran deeper and deeper into the gorge, axe at the ready. [i]Such bullshit... I'm sick of their bullshit...![/i] Tears silently and secretly made their way down her cheeks as she smashed through the beetles ahead of her, and into the unknown. [i]I just... I wish someone understood...[/i][/color]