Scout

Far From Home [ Scout & Vena Sera ]

Oh geeze, that's an oldie. Love it. XD

I miss the alerts from the old guild... :( Work faster, Mahz. Recover the old layout, I miss it lots.

I mean, doesn't it still feel like a skeleton site to you?

Far From Home [ Scout & Vena Sera ]

Suto be like



Bye, Minerva

Engel's Interest Check. [FxF.]

PM Sent!

Far From Home [ Scout & Vena Sera ]

"In short, yes. There's a lot of bad going around lately. I'm not sure if it's just pessimism or if people are just getting a bit too used to life here," Titus explained. "The frontlines isn't generally a good place for them to... erm... hunt, I don't imagine. Considering that would endanger their own lives as well," He mused, waving his hand dismissively. "I'd like to see if you wanted to co-found some form of group with me... We don't have to be a guild, but I think it would be good to be a force that keeps these kinds of people out of the way of those on lower floors. Every now and then, get some information on whoever is doing the most damage, then do a bit of cleaning up. Raise the quality of life here for those who are just trying to get by. It'll also help us by getting more manufacturing and gathering classes going. Those players don't like to leave the safe zones and one can hardly master a trade without leaving to collect. Sometimes they employ guard, sometimes they think they can fend for themselves... However, guards or not, skilled or not, they're still in danger. If they're not clearers, then they don't expect to be facing that difficult level of combat. They don't always have a teleport crystal ready, they aren't always prepared."

Taking a breath Titus shrugged his shoulders, "Of course, I don't suggest we escort every person in the castle from one place to another. I'm simply stating we could help to increase awareness of the problem and the activities of these people. Maybe do a bit of investigating ourselves. We have more than enough resources and players who would be willing to stand up for the cause whenever we needed it. Maybe we'll only have to do it once, even. Scare some of them into realizing the consequences of what they're doing, y'know? Whether or not people are dying when they die here isn't the question - it's whether they're willing to risk it just to have their way... What am I suggesting? I'm suggesting we make an effort to let them know that this is behavior that we won't tolerate."

The man sneered and stared at the glass on the table beside him. He'd placed the order right when they sat down and it had just been set there. As the explanation had gone on, he gradually grew more heated until finally driving the final words through by hitting the table with his fist, taking his glass, and drinking from it. There was no alcohol in it; Titus wasn't one to partake.

-----

As the small group sauntered off, Minerva waved with an uneasy smile, "O-okay, then. Seeya around, Suuuutooo," she called after him, enunciating his name the way he had for Yari. Her hands patted her sides awkwardly as she was left behind. She grinned and stepped back on stage, a large group of players turning their attention back and crying out in excitement. The microphone and their attention were hers once again as the music went from ambient to the focus of the party.

"Shuuuro," Yari repeated tauntingly, getting it wrong only partially by accident. "But I want... Uhmm... Crème brulée!" She exclaimed, picking the most random, ridiculous food she could think of. Naturally, she could nail the pronunciation of that word, but not Suto's name. It made her laugh as she looked around curiously, taking her drink back and giving herself an innocent sip on the straw. "I dun care, le's just have fun! You want a taste, Shuuuro?" SHe asked, holding the drink out to him before pulling it back, "Too bad! Get your own!" This, to her, was hysterical.

Nero fell like a fish out of water through the whole thing, rubbing the back of his neck or biting the inside of his cheek. No, these were definitely things he wasn't good at. At the back of his mind, however, he had to wonder what it was that Titus and Yato had to go talk about. If this was a party, they couldn't really be conducting business, right? After all, Titus was the one who wanted to liven up the party. Not that it was any of Nero's business to be involved as he'd only just met both of them, but still, it left the mind to wonder...

Avatar: The Price of Freedom

While Asha actually helped Katsu, Siku was occupied by the pup that the boy handed over with a little reluctance. She beamed with excitement, softly stroking the animal's pure white fur. 'Koinu' began to lick her cheek and she scratched under his chin, laughing, "He's so adorable! And that's a side I've never seen of you, Katsu; the one that brings his little fox over from his home because he wuuuvs him." Somewhere in the sentence, Siku had stopped speaking to Katsu and was now addressing the pet in her arms. "Huh, Koinu? Does mister Katsu treat you well?" She cooed, already aware that he wouldn't reply.

"He's so well-behaved for being so young," She observed, still laughing as he continued to lick her cheek. She knew it would be rude to not help, so she made sure to cradle the fox with one arm as she used the other to help put things in bags or boxes or whatever was asked of her. Meanwhile, she just kept talking adoring nonsense to the puppy in her arm, "We'll protect you, buddy. Nothing bad'll happen while we're around, that's for sure. You're in the hands of one of Republic City's best benders and swordswomen," She teased, exaggerating the truth quite significantly. She was directed to his toys and she set the small fox on the ground, joining him on her knees as they looked over all of the options. "Which ones are your favorites, Koinu?" She asked playfully, waiting for him to drag one out. At fist, it was fun as he showed her a few of the little ones from the stash. However, she grew a little bit crestfallen as she realized taht the entire pile was moved from a few feet away to directly in front of her, an expectant Koinu staring excitedly up at her. She looked down again and thought for a moment, "I'll grab as many as I can, promise, even if daddy can't get them all."

"There's no way we can play with all of these at once, Koinu..." She pointed out sadly, "I wish we could, but you can only pick a few..." Oh, god, she couldn't take that face... It wanted all of the toys. "K-Katsu, are you sure we can't take a few more of the toys? He doesn't want to leave them behind!"

Hiresh was actually getting some of the work done. He checked for the items Katsu mentioned, but couldn't find the backpack. He started digging around a bit more, making sure to put anything back the way he found it. One might think he was combing a crime scene, but in reality he was really just trying to find the bag by checking thoroughly. Finally, he opened a closet and pulled a few items out of the way, victoriously lifting a worn bag into the air. "This one, Katsu?" He asked, holding it out. It was a little beaten and he wondered how much weight it could carry before the bottom would completely give out. The metal bender didn't open to search the inside as he passed it over, figuring Katsu would have to take care of picking out his clothes and packing the bag himself.

He leaned against the wall by the window, watching Asha for a moment before shaking his head, "So, little Air Bender, you're a little different from the typical acolyte... Or nomad, whatever you guys go by nowadays. Usually, even at your age, they're pretty uptight and obsessively clean. They're usually pacifists too, you don't seem too allergic to fighting or things like walking in the sewers. Did you grow up around here?"

Digital or Real?

James laughed at Sasha's perception of 'overboard,' adding, "You should have seen my mates and I after finals every semester. I swear that any places we hit on our pub crawl were funded for at least the rest of the year. And that's just us, I know we weren't the only ones who did it. Da always got a good laugh out of it when mum couldn't figure out why I'd spend my first day home in my room, with the lights off and the door locked." He readjusted in his seat, taking another swig of his drink. It was such a relief that this talk came as easily as it used to, he was so afraid that they weren't going to have anything to talk about.

The smack on his shoulder brought him back to reality. He was pretty thankful for it too, most people would just sit there and get annoyed or wait for him to tire himself out with the talking. Not Sasha, she'd cut him off and he respected her for that because in honesty he really didn't mean to do it and he certainly had no desire to keep talking; James just didn't care for the silence.

"I gotta give GameFreak credit, they made a great choice finding somebody to develop a non-handheld MMO for the series. I played for a while, but you only get so much time to do that kinda stuff anymore. Not that I don't play some games, just don't get to spend my day at work or school thinking about when I get home to do it like I used to. Losing focus is not a safe idea when you're doing such thought-intensive work. It's a great way to unwind at the end of a day. Beats the hell out of some of the things on TV nowadays," He agreed with a nod as she mentioned Doctor Who. "Oh, yeah, every time they announce the next series I'm baffled. It's not like there are new ideas, but there's always a new generation to watch who won't watch the old ones. Instant gratification, updated characters and all that. It's definitely still good, I'm completely happy watching the new ones, gives a bit of nostalgia for the ones from our generation's Doctors. One of the only shows I'll watch anymore, to be honest."

Her next comment found him dumbstruck and he stared at her like she'd just lost her mind right in front of him. "Are you crazy? This is 5-star stuff, here!" He grabbed a chip and popped it hurriedly into his mouth, sighing in relief as he pretended the near-flavorless spud-bit satisfied him before laughing and shaking his head. "In fairness, though, you say that like you didn't go to college. You mean to tell me you didn't live off of Hot Pockets and Ramen? We all tried to find any way we could to not cook... Plus, most of the women in my school stayed far, far away from us. Engineers don't typically attract them unless they're engineers too... And then they just fight all the time. I had this one girl I dated in my... second year? Yeah, it was only a couple of months, but she was Aerospace too... God, we couldn't agree on a single thing if you could believe it. I'd say improve lift, she'd say decrease drag... Well, you know how I tend to get a little too involved, so tension got kinda high one day and I made the idiot mistake of correcting her English in a paper she showed me... It wasn't even on purpose, honest! It was kind of a passive-aggressive, childish jab at her and she just absolutely lost it on me. We had to sit on opposite ends of every class we shared after that... Which was all of them. I hear she's in Egypt now, got an internship out there or summin'."

He chuckled against and leaned back, sighing with a big grin on his face, "What a year that was... I look back and wonder who the hell decided that the difference between a comma and a semi-colon was a big enough deal to lose a relationship over. Then I realize it was me and I can't believe what a dolt I can be. I think I have to blame you for that one, though," He said, pausing to allow her a moment to react to such a teasingly pointed statement, "After all, I'm pretty sure you taught me the difference."

Changing gears and lifted up his glass and nodded, "I like your hair long like that though, it really suits you."

Digital or Real?

Gah! Look at that turnaround speed! Somebody is having an easy summer! XD

Avatar: The Price of Freedom

Hiresh laughed and shook his head, looking to Asha, "No, Asha, they mean I'm a cop." He rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged, adding, "And they'd be right." Of course, Katsu had to belittle him... otherwise what kind of Avatar would he be? The metal bender shrugged and rolled his eyes, deciding it best to keep his proud mouth shut for now.

Siku shook her head, putting up her hands, "Oh, no no, it's... Uh, it's great! Really, I just... Didn't expect it is all. I'm not one to judge people for where they call home - you like it after all," She said hastily, worried that she actually sounded condescending. "Plus I'm not really used to a place that's anything like it." She flushed, clenching her fists, "I'm not a princess, ugh...! Papa's far from next in line for chief anyway... I hate the North Pole's hierarchy sometimes." The girl crossed her arms and found focus on the ground in front of her as they entered the building. How much would Katsu really need to grab, anyway?

Hiresh instantly entered a battle-ready stance as a yelping sounded from nearby. Siku, on the other hand, grinned and started to look around. It didn't take long to find the source, making Hiresh sigh in slight annoyance. Meanwhile, the water bender jumped excitedly, "Oh. My. Gosh. Is that a Sabre Fox? How did you even find one? Let alone with such a nice white coat... You can't find these little guys anywhere!" She didn't even care that Katsu was showing a little vulnerability because she was absolutely gushing at the adorable animal. "Papa never let me get a pet... The North Pole doesn't have many friendly animals and once we got here he wanted me to focus on other things; if I had time for a pet, I had time to do something better with my time. But look at this little guy! I would spend hours staring into windows of shelters and stores when I was little... I never ever ever saw anything like him!"

She ogled the small fox brightly, reaching out to pet its head. Katsu's comment about getting out quickly for her was completely ignored as she finally pulled back and calmed down for a moment. Hiresh stared at her, dumbfounded. "Seriously? All this time and I get 'Hiresh is just a private, completely forget about him and his cop-ness' but the moment this kid pulls out a fluffy animal, you go all sweet and excitable? What's that about?!" He wasn't really offended, just a little jealous.

Siku blushed slightly, clearly debating her next question. It was the most important question she'd ever had or ever would have for Katsu: "C-can I... Uh... Hold him?" She tried not to make eye contact, feeling humiliated that she had to ask him for something that she wanted. Suddenly, he actually had something that gave him a position of control with her. Something he'd not had since the beginning of the night.

Far From Home [ Scout & Vena Sera ]

"Oh, everything's great; I just had some things I wanted to hear your take on," Titus said innocently. The two of them found their own area and the man offered Yato a seat first before taking his own, resting his ankle on his knee leisurely. "So, I've seen how you and your friends interact... They might be a bit eccentric, but they're strong and you guys have the right outlook on this place. I can respect that. It's something more people need to know, need to see, and they need to be a part of it. We'll never get out of here without that kind of attitude, so I was trying to think of ways to get the attitude you guys have out into the world beyond just parties. It'd be good for everybody to see that you don't have to be a clearer to help and furthermore one can make a life here without losing sight of the life they knew before we were all locked in. I don't have to tell you that Aincrad has more dangers than monsters and trap dungeons..." Titus grew a little somber, watching his fingers drum with concentration on the table, "We have some problematic players too... Ones that don't think this is even real, ones that seek to either prevent the progress of the floors or to simply satiate their own psychopathic desires. Men and women of vice. Now, I'm no saint, and I'll never claim to be perfect or even religious... But... These are kids. They're going to live with the decisions made here for the rest of their lives. I don't want them to have to shoulder the deaths of their friends or have to fight for their own lives against real people."

There was another pause as Titus chose his words. "Sorry if I'm moving quickly here... I really don't know what to do about all of this, but it's something that needs to be addressed. The KoB is a large guild of extremely talented warriors. But they're... They're not great people. They're okay, but they're not idealists, they stand only to clear the floors. The players need somebody who stands as a beacon of strength for moving on like that, but they need somebody to look to for protection, and they can't find that with the Knights or the other major Clearing Guilds. I know I'm throwing a lot on you here, but I was curious to hear what you've seen out there for yourself too."

-----

Yari's face scrunched up a bit as she tasted the drink. "Ew, ew, take it back..." She muttered, shaking her head and letting Cress have his drink back. She nursed her own slowly, having already noticed that she was reacting kind of slowly. In honesty, the girl was even beginning to notice that the things she noticed were stupid, like how her eyes moved a second after she told them to. Suddenly, there were hands on her wrist and she blinked in surprise. "Eh? I guess I could eat," She observed, gripping her drink more tightly. "But nuh-uh! I can hold a plate with one hand; don't take my drink awaaaayyyy!! Please, Nero?" She asked, looking pleadingly to Suto, clearly getting his name wrong. Whether it was because she simply got the names all mixed up or if it was because she had been drinking nobody could know for sure. "Don't be so uptight, gosh!"

Nero covered his mouth, turning away as he laughed and tried not to let Suto see it. The poor guy was trying so hard, but Nero had to give him points for determination. Clearing his throat, he turned back to them, "C'mon, I'll help, where do you guys wanna go eat?"

Digital or Real?

"Settling's a smart way to go about it, Sashie," He said with a nod. "I don't think I've had a slow moment in the past two years, to be honest, it'll be nice once I get into some kind of routine again, like in high school. I miss all the time off we had back then," He joked, "Growing up for me was the moment I realized that summer didn't mean you were on vacation just because the weather got nice. But at least I'm pretty well-off and I'm not going to work because 'that's just what you do,' y'know?" He swirled his drink around in the glass, watching the dark brown-ish liquid spin. The ice tinked softly every with every round, he almost didn't realize that the conversation had moved back to his work and he laughed.

"Aye, they've not had the money to do much since The War," He observed. "But I don't follow economics or politics or most other -ics, so I could be wrong. I'm not worried about the competition, just focused on getting my own stuff done. Time spent worrying about somebody else's progress is time wasted anymore. Of course, I really don't know how other countries are faring financially, it has been quite a while since the ceasefire. My aunt and uncle left Princeton for a university in Luxembourg once the kids graduated and shortly before the accident. It was pretty good timing, since we could have everybody back together for that. But otherwise, I haven't been 'stateside' in ages."

He put his hand up, realizing that he was sucking on an ice cube after his next sip, "'Nother Rum & Coke, please?" The bartender nodded and sent a waitress out with his drink. James grinned greedily and took it with a polite nod, "Thanks, lass." He waited a moment to turn back around, taking a sip of his drink as she walked away. "Ahh... I haven't had a drink in a long time. I try not to go alone, so it's nice to have somebody to come out here with again. My mates and I are so busy, we mostly keep our discussions digital. After uni, we kind of scattered; most of the guys I work with are either past their thirties or lucky co-op students and interns, so I don't have anybody my age that I can call a 'colleague' at the workplace. I'm not complaining, just saying there's not as much alochol in my diet as there was in school," He said with a cheeky grin. Not to mention that drinking alone was how the habit could develop and that was last thing he'd needed.

"Despite popular belief," He pointed out, "jet packs are hardly an avenue worth pursuing. Sure, they look fun, but the practical application is pretty much nil. Not to mention the dangers of that... You think a drunk driver is bad, wait until we have jet fuel explosions from the winos strapping on a rocket... Devastating. And dumping a brain into a robot... isn't that kinda the movie Surrogates? I never actually saw it, but it sounds kinda like it. A bit scary, sometimes, yeah?" There he went again, over-analyzing everything. He shook his head and smiled, "Oh, but there's VR and stuff. I mean, even I know a lot of older people who're starting to lose their ability to walk themselves around and stuff... I've heard they use the games to kind of... Relive their youth, since the avatars aren't restricted by their own physical abilities. It makes for a real interesting experience, I hear, getting that feeling back, even if it's temporary. Or even feeling it for the first time; I remember when some of the first reports of that stuff were coming out," He explained, turning back into that kid Sasha knew, the one that got all kinds of excited over technology and how it could help people and provide new experiences.