Scout

Digital or Real?

That would make plenty of sense. They'd each be working while getting it and reconnect that way. James has a bit more going on than school ^^" do we wanna jump that far ahead? Start in-game or in London?

Digital or Real?

He's either an aeronautical engineer or Astrophysicist. Probably the former and almost definitely a Master's or he'll be amidst working on getting it.

Far From Home [ Scout & Vena Sera ]

Characters

Pre-established Characters

Scout

Mizuki "Yari" Yukimura

Display Name: Yari
Real Name: Mizuki Yukimura
Age: 17

Appearance:



Background: Mizuki grew up in Ichigawa with Alex and Hiro, a small town in the snowy mountains of Japan. She had great grades, participated in several extracurricular activities, and still made time for her two best friends. She had an air about her that just screamed “leader.” Despite her time being stretched so thin, Mizuki managed to keep up interests with them, from gaming to just generally spending time together. She was smart, got good grades, and was definitely on her way to getting into a new school until she and her two friends stepped foot into Aincrad for the very first time and were left with no way out. She was, perhaps, one of the most composed of them and quickly regained her bearings, thus snapping Alexander back to reality and helping him to be able to process the situation.

SAO Build: Magical Robes and Healer's Tome.

Status: Alive, Amnesiac

Alexander "Fitch" Watanabe

Display Name: Fitch
Real Name: Alexander Watanabe
Age: 17

Appearance:



Background: Alexander’s mother was German and she met his father on a business trip to Japan. She was an interpretor for her company – a job which she left after finding out she was pregnant. He grew up with a very strict father who was often working, but his mother was more of a “free spirit” so he was able to live life far more loosely than his father would have liked. His grades were fair, but he didn’t want to stand out academically. Thanks to Mizuki, he actually stayed in good shape, because of her limited time, their small group would often be practicing sports or something of the like together, though he was never in pristine condition like she was. He liked technology and, while his father disapproved of it, gaming. He was one of the first to acquire a Nerve Gear and beta tested almost every game that became available to him – including Sword Art Online. Hiro was his best friend and the two were like brothers, despite their rather different personalities, and if it weren’t for him and Mizuki – as well as the other friends that they had from past games – he likely would not have been able to cope with the incident.

SAO Build: Sword & Shield user with medium-light armor.

Kimiko "Kimigami" Yagami

Display Name: Kimigami

Real Name: Kimiko Yagami

Age: 14

Appearance:



Background: Kimiko grew up in a rather low-end neighborhood of Tokyo. She had two little brothers, identical twins, who were quite a handful. Their father died when all of them were relatively young, thus causing their mother to enter a deep depression. Kimiko still doesn’t quite understand how they still have a home, but the cooking, cleaning, and care of her brothers fell on her shoulders. Nobody outside of her close family knew the kind of neglect they all faced… whenever they visited their relatives, Kimiko would even be sure that her mother was presentable and got to the train station on time. When one of her few friends from school invited her over to try out a new game on the first virtual reality system, she was very excited. She made her own character, and felt a guilty pleasure in escaping her real family for a while… That is, until it came time for her to leave and the logout button was gone.

SAO Build: Rapier and leather armor.

Nero

Display Name: Nero
Real Name: Unshared

Age: 16

Appearance:
(Pictured Right)


History: Nero is known Aincrad-wide as the most wealthy player in SAO. He amassed his fortune by material hunting, giving him a hefty safety margin while simultaneously giving him the biggest bank of any other player. He is a member of the KoB, directly beneath Vice Commander Kazaro and his speed is rather remarkable. He has shared none of his life outside of the game and still few know much of who he really is. Currently, he has been able to sit on his metaphorical dragon's horde of cash by maintaining a level of strength above most other players. However, with the KoB behind him now, his personal coffers face even less danger.

SAO Build: Curved blade, light armor, speed, material hunter.

Yuna

Display Name: Yuna
Real Name: Undisclosed

Age: 15

Appearance:
(Pictured Left)



History: Yuna met Nero early on in their careers in SAO. She was rather lost as she lacked the will to fight outside of the safe zones. The girl found her niche with a small group of crafters. As a seamstress, she had one of the harder jobs early on because most of the players wanted weapons and got enough armour from drops. Once she could improve, repair, and create armour which was competitive, she was quite sought after. She met Nero shortly before her name became quite so well known, as he hunted a rare material for her. Their relationship grew very gradually, stemming only from a business perspective, but nonetheless, they're pinned as the unofficial wealthiest couple in Aincraid.

SAO Build: Tailor, non-combatant

Kazaro

Display Name: Kazaro
Real Name: Undisclosed
Age: 25

Appearance:



Who He is: Vice Commander of the Knights of the Blood, directly beneath Heathcliffe. He’s a strong leader and a forgiving soul. In fact, he’s quite kind, it’s what garners him so much respect. However, he’s also prideful, so if you’ve offended him with purpose, he will hold onto it until a proper, sincere apology has been issued.

SAO Build: One of few Katana users in the world, medium-weight metal armour. DPS.

Makoto "Minerva" Yono

Display Name: Minerva – she honestly just thought it sounded pretty and rather regrets how arrogant it sounds after somebody told her where it came from

Real Name: Makoto Yono

Age: 18 (17 at the start of the game

Appearance:
(Click for higher resolution)

Background: Minerva grew up in a family that was well-off and even attended private school. Her only escape from the stress was gaming and she barely got a chance to do it both because of her parents and the amount of work she had to do to maintain her grades. She was going to give her NerveGear maybe thirty minutes a day, max. She had been lucky enough to be accepted into the Beta Test under her parents’ noses. They would disapprove if she waited in line to get one; it was there that she found herself immersed in the fantastical world of Aincrad. However, when she reluctantly opened her menu to log out on Day One, she found herself without any way to… After everybody was trapped inside the game, she only devoted herself to the blade for a few weeks. One-handed straight swords; simple, efficient, but eventually she stopped training daily and now only keeps up in order to have the skills she needs to stay alive. After she discovered that there was even a skill for musical instruments, she spent just about every hour of her training on them. It was the one thing in real life that her parents made her do that she actually enjoyed. In real life, it was the violin. In Aincrad she sang, she played guitar, she played violin, and she even practiced piano. It was so much easier here, but they actually allowed for free-form play and the replication of instruments was astoundingly accurate. Some people just played using the different skills and abilities, but the real musicians, once they hit a certain point, could unlock and actually use the freeform, so long as they could teach themselves to play it.

SAO Player Build: Minerva is a musician, so usually you’ll find her in tailored clothing rather than any kind of practical armour. She mostly keeps to towns and cities, avoiding the danger zones and enjoying her time in the game as if it were reality.

Vena Sera

Hiro "Suto" Myamoto

Display Name: Suto

Real Name: Hiro Miyamoto

Age: 17

Appearance:


Background: Hiro Miyamoto is a native of Ichigawa, having lived in the snowy vale all of his life. Born into a middle-class family as an only child he had plenty of attention growing up. Despite doing average in school his parents were happy with him, content on letting him do for the most part as he pleased as well, anything to keep their lone child happy. Outside of class he spent a great deal of time outdoors, taking up various different activities, with snowboarding sticking after many years. Being out and about and having fun is his main priority in life; always has been and always will be.

Having met his best friend Alexander Watanabe at an early age the two had been great friends ever since meeting. While Hiro loved the outdoors Alex played games, and eventually the two crossed over slightly, with Hiro in particular taking a bit more of a liking to video games. He played sparingly, really only when he and his friends spent time together. Upon the announcement of Sword Art Online though his interest peaked, and with little urgency from anyone else he went and picked up the game with Alex and their mutual friend Mizuki. Had he any idea what he was getting into he’d probably have stayed in bed that day.

SAO Player Build: Martial Arts and Light Armor.

Leiko "Luna" Carter

Display name: Luna
Real name: Leiko Carter
Age: 17

Appearance:


Background: Leiko Carter was born to two business crazy parents who were constantly trying to reach new heights and grab every opportunity before them. This wouldn’t have been a problem, if not for them constantly leaving the child to her own devices and placing crazy expectations on her shoulders.

“If it’s not the best…it’s not good enough.”

The sentence was drilled into her head ever since she was a child and Leiko learned to detest failure. If she got anything less than a perfect grade in a course she would accuse the teacher of slighting her. If Leiko wasn't made captain of a team she joined she would work until she became such, working harder than her peers to reach her goal. All of her efforts were due to the insane drive that her parents came to expect of her. If she wasn't number one than it wasn't good enough; in some ways it seemed like she couldn't gain their love unless she excelled in all she did.

Inevitably the overly ambitious girl would crash and burn, having worked much too hard to try and please her parents. An escape was needed from the toil of every day life, and yet Leiko knew nothing that might help her achieve such a thing. It wasn't until news broke of a new game releasing, a VRMMO called Sword Art Online that she would get her answer. Luna was hardly a gamer, but to be able to join a world where she could do whatever she wanted, when she wanted? It was a given, and upon release day she was one of the many in line, eagerly awaiting a copy.

SAO Build: Bladed tonfa.

Doku

Display Name: Doku
Real Name: ???
Age: 23

Appearance:


Background: Leader of "The Vices". Infamous PKer among those who know him, otherwise known simply as one of the Clearers.

SAO Player Build: One-handed sword and medium armor.

GoldenFlame

Kenshin "Kenshin" Takami

Display Name: Kenshin
Real Name: Kenshin Takami
Age: 17

Appearance:


Background: Kenshin was born in the coastal city of Niigata and is about as nerdy as you can get. His parents have always stressed the importance of following one’s own interests. The problem is, Kenshin doesn’t like social activities. Kenshin often overworks himself in school and is quite hard on himself when it comes to failure. He is pretty solitary in nature and enjoys reading or playing video games over all else. He mostly plays video games offline and by himself, though recently has been playing more online. He met Hiro, Alexander, and Mizuki separately in different video games and, despite never having met them in person, considers them to be among his few friends. When he heard of the Nerve Gear, Kenshin consulted with the trio and was persuaded to purchase it himself along with SAO. Kenshin planned on meeting up with Hiro, Alexander, and Mizuki in Aincrad and perhaps joining a guild with them if they’d have him. He thought it would help him get over his aversion to social interaction. When the game started however, Kenshin found himself trapped in an eternal hell surrounded with people and no way to get out. Shortly after entering the game, however, Kenshin found his neighbor and first love, Alphard. The two instantly partied up and have been working together since.

SAO Player Build: Two-handed katana user with light to medium armor. Also carries several throwing picks for medium range.

Ayano "Alphard Shurai" Nobunaga

Display Name: Alphard Shurai
Real Name: Ayano Nobunaga
Age: 18

Appearance:


Background: Ayano grew up in Niigata, a coastal town, and has been Kenshin’s neighbor for many years. The two often played together as children and to this day, still spend a significant amount of time together. In other words, it’s been just about enough time for Ayano to fall deeply in love with Kenshin. Nervous about what she’s feeling, Ayano never came out and told Kenshin her feelings, but has dropped plenty of hints. Upon hearing that Kenshin would be purchasing the Nerve Gear and Sword Art Online, she formulated a plan: to meet up with Kenshin in Aincrad anonymously and gauge his feelings for her “good friend”. Unbeknownst to her, Kenshin has also had feelings for her this whole time. He was simply unsure on how to express his feelings due to his general awkwardness.

Ayano, while being a generally nice person, has some deep seated emotional problems. Her parents had died when she was quite young, leaving her to be cared for by her aunt, who in turn left as soon as Ayano was old enough to live alone. This has led to some powerful anger issues and an abandonment complex. Indeed, one of the reasons that she loves Kenshin so much is that he is one of the only people that looks past her issues and accepts her as a person.

In the end, Ayano did end up purchasing the Nerve Gear, but was severely ill on the opening day. Instead, Asano was confined to her bed and, therefore, missed all the news regarding the trapped players. Sometime during the night, Ayano’s fever broke, and she decided to spend the next day relaxing and playing video games in bed. Unfortunately, the game she decided to play was Sword Art Online. Upon entering, Ayano was bombarded with questions from fellow gamers about her reactions to being stuck in the game, which only confused her. Finally, she hunted down an information broker and forced them to explain what had happened. The news was devastating for her. The deep-seated anger issues Ayano had worked her whole life to contain simply exploded, leaving her in a perpetual rage. It became her life’s goal to find Kenshin and, with him, utterly destroy the crowbegotten man who had trapped her in this hell.

SAO build: One-handed axe user with a tower shield. Heavy armor.

The Virtues

A group of unofficial Clearers who pride themselves on keeping to the highest moral standards. Vehemently opposed to PKers.

Scout

Lionel Marcus "Titus" Weston

Display Name: Titus
Nickname: The Justiciar, Inquisitor Titus
Real Name: Lionel Marcus Weston (goes by "Mark")

Appearance:



SAO Background: Titus was one of the first players to acclimate to the Death Game that was SAO. He organized a guild once the floors had begun to open up and powered himself up as much as he possibly could. He isn't nearly the strongest player, but he leads one of the most well-known guilds filled with some of the strongest, most kind-hearted players in Sword Art Online. They sought to make Aincrad a livable place - while the higher guilds wanted to clear the game, they wanted to keep as many of those left in it alive as they could. The guild has remained very small and has been very selective since their beginning, as to avoid the corruption that "The Army" has faced and continues to face. They took the name "The Virtues of Aincrad." The guild is led by Titus as the first-in-command and has been dubbed "Inquisitor Titus," though many on the streets recognize him as "The Justiciar." Below him are seven of the strongest, most trusted players in the guild, "The Virtues." While the guild is not large, the Virtues act as a council and plan a lot for them. The guild calls Floor 58 home, owning a large fortress in the tall mountains, with its own teleport gate. Titus is only ever seen in safe areas, but many wonder how he can have such a high level when he spends no time out training. However, that's not the case; Titus is covered from head-to-toe and is unrecognizable when he leaves the safe zones in an effort to hide the equipment he typically uses. What he wears in front of others is formidable, of course, but it is nothing compared to what he carries when he goes to battle, as it is mostly cosmetic.

Life Outside of SAO: Titus was born in America to a relatively normal home. After graduating High School, he joined the Navy as a linguist in Japanese. He was always a gamer, but his own physical health was important to him. There wasn’t a question in his mind that he could balance the two when the VR Headset was first announced. At the release of Sword Art Online, he stood in line for his own copy...

SAO Build: Light/Medium Armour with a Rope Dart. Almost entirely DEX-based.

Vena Sera

Cress

Display Name: Cress

Real Name: ???

Age: 18

Appearance:


Background: Nothing much known about Cress yet. He's the leader of the Virtues and a Japanese native.

SAO Player Build: Falchion and Light Armor

Asari

Display Name: Asari

Real Name: ???

Age: 17

Appearance:


Background: Little known about Asari yet. She is a member of the virtues and of Japanese origin.

SAO Player Build: Spear and Medium Armor

Yato

Display Name: Yato

Real Name: ???

Age: 22

Appearance:


Background: Minimal information on Yato. Member of the Virtues and one of the more recent members to join. Managed a technology firm in the real world. Native of Japan.

SAO Player Build: Katana and Heavy Armor

Avatar: The Price of Freedom

"Oh, hell no!" The water bender exclaimed as Katsu pulled an escape maneuver from nowhere. He was actually pretty good, though his bending was sub-par. The form was all off and his execution was rough while his close-quarters fighting was far more impressive. Siku felt a hand wrap around her bicep and begin to pull her away. "Hands off, Hiresh!" She snapped, ripping away from him and using the small bit of water to splash his face as she took off after Katsu. Slipping between a few White Lotus members who were scrambling to regain their wits, she blew threw the kitchen doors. She made it just in time to see him fleeing another scene of groaning Lotus members.

"Geeze, you guys must be new! Can't fight worth a damn," She muttered.

"Well he'd recognize us if we weren't!" They argued, but she wasn't even listening. A grin spread across her lips as her friend took to the sewer and she followed closely behind. She came right up to the edge of it and, instead of even thinking of trying to lift it off, she let her bending do the work. Katsu was quite likely to notice the flow of the water as she drew it from the sewer and used it to raise the heavy cover before she herself dropped in. With a loud CLANG! the metal plate dropped back into place and before even dismounting the later, Siku had it frozen to the ground. Hiresh wouldn't be able to lift it and they'd only be able to get in if one of the water benders could tell how she sealed it. Asha could certainly find some way in here. Not that they'd be hidden long...

As he feet touched the ground, she looked up one direction and down the other for Katsu, her voice bouncing so heavily off the walls that it shook even the rats to their very mangy core. "Katsu, get over here, NOW!" She heard his footsteps, took stock of direction, and chased after the sound. Spotting him just ahead, a wave of sewer water rose and aimed to tackle him into the wall, her arm sweeping out along her side with incredible precision. Honestly, she cringed at the thought of being doused in the water. This was his fault. "Don't tell me to listen, you little scumbag!"

-----

Hiresh blinked as she took off, a bit shocked at her adamant resolve to get away from him. Was he really so bad? He looked to Asha with a small smirk, "So much for a nice dinner out, huh?" Just as he was about to chase after Siku, the older White Lotus member who had first confronted Katsu was thrown into the far wall by a rogue air current.

"You old bastard, you can't even do your own job. Bunch of good this lot is, you guys can't even bring your own charge back to your 'super secret compound.'" Hansa snorted, clearly recovered from any move he'd been thrown. More than half of the other 'new' White Lotus members turned on the others, catching them by surprise with their own attacks of varying elements. Hansa grinned to the small airbender in the hall, "See? You don't have to be a goody-goody to airbend," He taunted as the restaurant erupted with elements blasting into one another and the warriors of the room. By now the entire clientele had made it the hell out of there, but Hiresh felt a need to do something. Siku would be fine and chasing her at this point would be pointless.

"Hey, kid, get outta here, the Air Temple would find a way to have my badge if they knew I didn't try to get you out. Unless you think you can handle yourself here." His lips curled up slightly into a smirk, clearly excited to finally be able to do his job as a pair of cables blasted out from behind him and whipped the nearest aggressor directly in the chest, leaving a bright pink lash that would slowly turn red. Hiresh didn't care as much for apprehension as the others of the force - he wasn't murderous, but there was a certain fun to a fight that didn't require him 'tying up' his cables, as it were.

Far From Home [ Scout & Vena Sera ]

There was an audible smack as Fitch stumbled to the side, a hand clinging to the side of his face. While the strike didn't exactly hurt, it was certainly shocking and there was enough strength behind it. Nero facepalmed and shook his head, "Could we slow down for just a damned minute, you two?"

Yari was now standing, tears streaming down her face again as she stared toward Fitch defiantly. "I don't even know who you are! How dare you say something so outrageous..."

The swordsman finally recovered, only just realizing that Suto had left... Where'd he go? Oh god, he spilled the beans. They were going to tell him together... They were going to tell him today. But not like this. God dammit, you idiot! He chastised himself. Kenshin and Alphard both left as the room began to heat up, feeling a bit out of place.

"I-I'm sorry," He explained, rubbing the back of his neck. Yuna then decided to join the group, as she'd heard the rather loud strike from the kitchenette, her expression now quite puzzled. "I just... Maybe you'll get your memory back in a couple of days..." He said, still a bit in shock, but definitely hopeful.

Nero rose and showed his agreement, "It's very possible. Miss Yari, I'm sorry things are so confusing for you right now... This is probably pretty frustrating, but I'm sure you'll recover soon," He said hopefully, giving her a reassuring smile. Fitch wasn't quite so convinced, but she nodded slowly and scratched her cheek.

"Sorry for everything, everybody... I'm just... going to lie down for a while, if you don't mind." Nobody argued as she retired to one of the rooms attached to the suite.

Nero looked to Fitch, "You know... Akihiko stated that neurotoxins are activated in the NerveGear when we die here... There's a chance that maybe that's what caused the amnesia, you know? Maybe, given a few days here, she'll recover what she's forgotten and everything can go back to normal. No big deal. Alright, bud? Get some rest."

The sword-and-shield user nodded somberly, taking to his own room, one separate from his wife. He decided, for now, not to show Yari the proof of their bond, hoping that this was simply a temporary spell.

-----

"Hey, you!" A small girl with long red hair, no more than fourteen years of age, in a black cloak called out to a seventeen year-old boy, a rapier drawn at her side.

He was laughing with a small group as they left the bar. The voice caught his ear and he looked over, "Ohhh, little Gami come out to play..." The others all looked a bit uneasy, but the boy, who was obviously the leader, spread his arms out. "What can I do for you?"

The redhead's face turned the same colour as her hair as she stamped her foot, "I told you not to call me that." Shaking her head, she regained her composure and flicked her blade through the air. "Don't you dare talk to me like that... After you steal my guild, ruin my trust in people, and try to ridicule me? Notice anything different?"

"Ooh," He responded sarcastically, "You bought yourself a new blade and jacket? Great work. It still won't stand up from the drops we got on our last training session! Why don't you go join the party they're having to celebrate the new floor? I know we're about to! Oh, that's right, you're an anti-social headcase who can't lead a party for her life."

One of the other boys in the group put a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, dude... I know we all agreed on her leaving, but... I think you're being a bit harsh..."

"Shut up." He spat in reply, about to spring into another slough of insults as he turned his head to Kimi again-

SCHWING! A rapier was pressed lightly beneath his chin with the short girl very near him. "You're just unbearably stupid, is all."

"Oh, can it. I'm not scared of yo-"

The blade glowed a bright blue before striking him, directly to the heart, blasting him into the side of the building. Immortal Object, it replied as the guild leader slumped to the ground, groaning. "You little bitch... Buy some new equipment and you think you're all that?"

"I didn't buy it." She snapped, "I earned it. Got some help from a material hunter friend of mine on the last floor, had it made from some of the beasts we hunted in the final dungeon... It's divine, really. Brings out my eyes, don't you think?"

The other boy rose to his feet, "Please, like you have any friends... Doesn't matter, you still can't hurt me out here and you don't have the courage to do anything in the danger zones anyway.

She smirked and sheathed her blade, "You're damn right I won't." Giving the boy a thumbs up, she turned on her heel for the building, "Have fun training on floor eighteen, guys. Really, hope you enjoy the slow climb to the top - it's not like you're helping anybody being down there anyway. Maybe you should take up a trade, I hear there's good money in it." As the others saw her back, they'd notice small bat wings protruding from the garment. Purely aesthetic, but surprisingly demonic.

One hand on her hilt, the other hanging at her side, the confident young girl took to the stairs of the inn. She felt refreshed. In all honesty, she'd been a wreck on the previous floor when her own guild shut her out... A unanimous vote. What she wouldn't have given for somebody to help her out of it. Instead, she poured herself into the training she'd already been working on apart from them. The girl avoided the boss fight.

As she ascended the small building, she finally found her floor and started down the hall. A young man bumped into her shoulder, knocking her into the wall as he passed by, clearly brooding over something as he turned and entered his own room. She twisted her face into a small scowl. She already decided she would not be treated that way after her own guild dumped her.

"Hey!" Kimi called out, her green eyes fixated fiercely as she pounded on his door. "Open up, guy."

Digital or Real?

Fingers crossed for car rental discounts, since I'll have to be doing that kinda often when I visit home. Looking forward to it though XD I know you have to be like 25, but still... rental cars are niiiice.

Seems we're on the same page with most things except their reconnection. XD Do you think *just* out of undergraduate degree (22-24), or do you think they're post-grad (24-26)?

Far From Home [ Scout & Vena Sera ]

Yes, of course I remember... she wanted to honestly say it, really, she did. But as she looked at all of the apprehensive faces around her, she just stammered, "I-I... I'm sorry, you all seem very nice, but... I don't..." She said solemnly, looking down, "I don't... really remember anything at all."

That's not true! Alex, Suto... Nero, Kenshin, guys... Make her remember! A voice nagged at the back of her head, but she couldn't make it out, she didn't know what it was saying as she looked to all of the faces around her. She wanted to say something, but she wasn't quite sure what. Nero was the first one to speak up, being the always-present voice of reason.

The material hunter cleared his throat and stepped forward, "Something is clearly off here... Let's regroup - we'll find a small, quiet tavern in the next city and sit down to talk about it, okay?"

Yari, still rather dumbfounded, nodded, "Y-yeah, maybe I just need to recollect and it'll come back..."

Fitch was still speechless as he stared at the floor. The group began to move, even Kenshin and Alphard walked with them. Fitch kept glancing at his hand, then at Yari's, but it was hardly noticeable as he visibly shook. Nervous was a word rarely, if ever, used to describe him and suddenly he was an absolute wreck. She has to... Those that weren't so absorbed in themselves would notice the glares that Nero was receiving from nearly every person they walked by.

Once they were all settled in a small inn, eyes were again on Yari, who had walked there slightly detached from the group. Rather than one of the small rooms, Nero took a suite, which was an absolutely massive room with a common area and a few beds in the dorms off the side. Expensive? Yes, but it was usually meant for a party to split the price. The common room was a large, round space with more than enough seating, it had its own kitchenette attached as well. Yuna made herself right at home - figuring it might be good to have something for everybody to eat. It wouldn't be long before the room was full of amazing smells, despite the conversation they were about to have.

Nero looked at Yari, "So... you don't remember anything at all?" He finally asked as everybody tried to figure out how to start.

She shook her head, "I don't remember anybody... at least."

Nero furrowed his brow, "So... you know this is a video game, right?"

"I'd hardly call it that at this point... Considering I also know I almost died for real today. I just don't know anybody here..." She looked apologetically to Fitch and Suto, a small frown on her face. "I want to... But there's nothing there..." That's not true, you love him... That nagging voice called again, but Yari still didn't hear it, it was just another frustrating thought she couldn't reach. Like there was something she wanted to say, and it was right there, but she forgot it the moment she thought of it.

Fitch stood up suddenly, "How could you forget?" He finally asked, his voice laced with hurt and anger and frustration... His clenched fists trembled.

She flinched and stared at him, rubbing the back of her neck, "I'm sorry... But I don't know what you want me to do..."

He watched her, "But... I... We... We're married, how could you?" He asked, completely forgetting that it was something of a secret from Suto.

Avatar: The Price of Freedom

"That little runt over there?" A young man only a table or two away asked. "There's no way it's him..."

"Shut up. Look, I know you're new, but try to be professional. We just watch," Their voices were rather low, but the older one seemed to be a bit agitated with his 'friend.' His voice returned to normal, "So how's your wife?" He asked with a laugh, "Still nagging you about taking care of the laundry this week?"

The younger of the two seemed a bit confused before realizing his position, "Well, yeah," He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"That honeymoon phase never lasts as long as you want it to, eh?"

"Never!" He replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I got away without doing it this time, though. We have our days..." The conversation faded into the background as the waitress came back to Siku & co.'s table.

The girl seemed slightly nervous as she placed the tray on a stand and began to set the dishes down at the table, naming each one as she passed it to their recipient. Siku, however, had heard the conversation nearby - she often heard other people talking about her with the assumption that she wasn't listening. It ended with some hurt feelings sometimes, when she'd hear her friends the moment she was gone, but it was something you learned to deal with when others were so jealous. Honestly, she didn't care until their conversation suddenly shifted... That was strange.

"Hiresh," She started, looking over, "Keep your eyes up..." She was a little bit nervous, sure, but it wasn't like anybody would try anything out here, in front of a bunch of people. She'd been in similar situations before; her family had money, it wasn't really avoidable when she lived such a high profile lifestyle. She didn't have her waterskin with her... or her dao, she realized. Of course, she didn't carry it with her into public often, but she was allowed to wear it for ceremonies and in formal attire. Most people thought it was just a decoration, but she treasured it beyond what was likely considered 'normal.'

The metal bender looked around, suddenly more alert as he tried to pick up suspicious conversation around them. Everybody seemed normal, but the air did feel a bit more tense when one paid close attention to it.

Siku looked to Katsu as he reached for Asha's hand and sighed, she'd slap him if she wasn't more occupied otherwise. The tables around them began to shift and their waitress - in fact, most of the staff - was nowhere to be found. The pairs and groups around them started to rise and brush themselves off professionally, every door suddenly had somebody standing by it. Some of them had waterskins, others just looked ready for... something, it was hard to say.

Siku looked to others at the table, "Hiresh, we gotta get out of here..."

"The doors are blocked, Siku... If we make a scene now, they'll know we know, just eat." He ordered, leaning over his food, "So, Katsu, what do you do for a livi-"

Four men stood in front of their table as the leader, the older man from a couple of tables away cleared his throat.

Siku leapt to her feet despite the small space between her and the table, shocking most of the people around them as she pushed it forward to the men and it fell to the floor on its side. An aquarium nearby burst as she pulled the water toward herself and she blasted one of them in a surprisingly short moment. It was the youngest, newest guy who was thrown across the room into another booth.

"Get the hell away from me you creeps!" She ordered, readying her next attack as the floor in front of Hiresh cracked and a small chunk of earth rose from the floor.

"Whoa whoa whoa! Slow down!" The man exclaimed, putting his hands up and starting to laugh. "You okay over there, Hansa? Ha, rookies..."

"Urgh... That chick packs a punch, man..."

"Shut up and get on your feet." The older man turned to look at Siku, "My apologies, Ms. Tsukiko, we're not here for you though."

The girl seemed honestly shocked, "W-what?" Hiresh snickered slightly.

"We're from the White Lotus - some of the newer members that just joined in the last few years... We're here for Katsu," He explained, turning to look at the boy, "We were hired after you left... You need to come back - you've spent enough time out here goofing off."

Siku furrowed her brow and looked over at her 'friend' ... acquaintance? Person she bumped into? She'd known Katsu for a couple of years - her parents didn't know she'd hung out with him; they'd probably have a hippo cow if they knew she had a friend from that circle. But now... what was the White Lotus doing here for him? Suddenly, her attack maneuver turned to him and she readied it, "What haven't you told me?"

Hiresh was up for no joking, however, as the earth shifted and it moved to 'rock' Katsu's feet to the floor, if he didn't move first.

Digital or Real?

Oh yeah, no doubt they won't discover the online thing for at least a while. My questions was more along the lines of do you think they've both been in London for a couple of years (since graduating) and haven't seen each other, completely unaware of one another's presence? If that makes any sense...

Ooh, I kinda like the quest idea. Maybe everybody who wants to be in on this tournament/quest-marathon type of deal meets in the city on the Fantasy/Sci-Fi border and register for it as an event. They don't explicitly state that it takes high levels, so everybody just assumes it's some kind of combat type of event, when in reality it's slightly more puzzle-based, meaning your stats don't really have to be so special except for maybe class choices can't be solely combat. I hope I'm not just rambling and not making sense here. XD

Their high school relationship could be on again/off again. I imagine their 'break(s)' wouldn't last more than a month or two though.

As for discounts... Yeah, I think I'd use it for big things like that, for sure. Even for a movie, but it's probably not something I'd want to whip out a lot.

Digital or Real?

I didn't get an ID yet, no. XD I didn't think I got one until Basic Training? If I get it sooner, that's absolutely spectacular, but I would be willing to doubt it... Who knows!

I'm wondering if maybe they've been online friends for a while and not know for a couple of years and have no idea that they're both in London. Then we could do some building on their friendship in-game (or their acquaintanceship, since James' in-game persona is going to be a real ass - some kind of "evil/chaotic" type and I'm not sure the type of character Sasha would want to play. Might be an interesting duo, depending on that...) and when they meet in real life again, it's going to be kinda funny to see that difference in personality. And how old do you think they are? Freshly out of college? Or mid-twenties? I kinda like mid-twenties, gives me some wriggle room with James' life.