With all of the tumult and anguish as of late Suto was having a difficult time keeping up his outgoing persona. Hollow smiles and flamboyant behaviors worked to dull some of the pain, but with repeated loss of life it wasn't going to cut it this time. Sulking in his room as he was probably wasn't the best course of action either, and he knew it, but getting himself to go out was nigh impossible. So rather than indulge at an event or socialize he had spent the last few hours idling away, now finding himself tracing the grains of the ceiling above him. What was the point, he reflected, if people were only going to be taken away from him? The notion of losing someone almost terrified him enough now to the point where he didn't want to meet anyone else. Of course that wouldn't do anyone any good, Suto also knew this much. Keeping himself isolated may not have the risks that being out in a group would, but it also didn't have the benefits. He'd never get the chance to have fun any longer, all over some paranoia that a familiar face may not be there tomorrow. Fact of the matter was it was a cruel reality that he had to contend with, one that since the game's launch he had failed to overcome. His entire frivolous behavior after all had been but a mask to conceal his constant tension and fear over what Sword Art Online had become. Now that two of his friends were gone that facade wasn't doing to cut it any longer.

It was to this end that a conclusion was reached. The only way to overcome a fear was to face it. Much in the same way Suto had become a fairly exceptional snowboarder by facing daunting feats he now had to face the world around him. Nothing was ever achieved by running away and hiding, after all. People were going to die, people he cared for. Hell, he may well die too. After Mizuki's passing no one was above this game's game of death as far as he was concerned. If someone as strong as her could be taken away then what was saving a simple support player like himself? Scoffing softly Suto rolled onto his side, staring out the window and at the rooftop of a small shop just across the street. Watching for but a moment he spotted a small white bird land on the tiled roof, hopping about without a care as it scanned the area. Then it moved over to his window, landing on the sill just outside the panes of glass. For a moment he simply lay there, watching the bird curiously as the creature made no indication that it was moving. On a whim Suto pushed himself up, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed and got up, walking over to the panes. Still the bird didn't move, and when he pushed the window open it finally did flutter away, moving back to its perch across the street. It was a dove, he figured, from what little he knew of birds. Having an innate interest on the creature he folded his arms down on the window frame, leaning over and resting his chin across his arms. Lucky bird, flying around freely and without a care in the world. That must be an easy, and simple life. 

Simple, painful, depressing, happy, it didn't really matter what life was. Suto was going to go on regardless of how things were, whether he truly wanted to or not. If nothing else he owed it to the friends lost to keep trying, to get the others out free. With his being emotionally drained right now he was hard pressed to find enough care to get himself out, he could die at this point and be fine with it. Losing someone else close to him however was out of the question, that was never going to happen again. It was a hefty goal, and in order to achieve it he needed to become stronger. Rather than partying and acting like a fool he'd train day and night, however long it took. Doing it on his own was going to be tricky, but if it meant his leveling up quicker and becoming better able to protect others than so be it. Roused from his small bit of bravado when there was a knock at his door Suto lifted his head, glancing over his shoulder. What could Nero of all people want with him right now? Exhaling softly in a sigh he moved away from the window, carrying himself across the room and to the door, pulling it open slowly. Spotting the familiar red and white armor on his friend instantly Suto paused a moment, a bit taken aback by the sight. He'd never have imagined Nero would join the Knights of the Blood. Glancing back at his friend's face he leaned against the door, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. "That's new... What's up?"