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[suckswithmaps]

( action ¤ field )

[ If you're out and about on the fields today, it's quite plausible that you'll encounter both Kirito and Celica partying up and level grinding together. While they do look like they're doing pretty well, on closer inspection it should be rather obvious that they were both new to the game. Regardless, nearing the end of the day, their movements should be a little smoother than before -- that is, if fatigue hadn't taken them yet.

In any case, they do spend most of their day leveling -- however, that isn't to say they won't be taking any breaks. Every so often they can be found by the river resting up. Catch them sometime in the evening, and you may even find Kirito dozing off. ]

( Joint post with elucidator! Order will go you → Kirito → Celica. Feel free to catch them when they're on their multitudes of breaks, or when they're defeating mobs to give them advice or to join up. )

Comments

[elucidator]

[ gaze following hers, he blinks once his eyes land on the other person. there's a few more successive ones after that, but in the end, he'll tilt his head. ]

The name doesn't ring any bells. [ blatantly. ] ... Do I know you from somewhere?

[ he's more awake now that his mind was back to work, fortunately. ]

[suckswithmaps]

[After hearing the other girl's reply, Celica assumes that she and Kirito may know each other, but... considering his own response, it doesn't seem that way, does it? How strange!

So Celica's just gonna watch curiously and listen for now with her head slightly tilted. Hmmmm.]

[tank_sniper]

[...What's going on? He couldn't have forgotten, could he? Her expression is clearly one of utter disbelief.]

...We met in GGO - Gun Gale Online. We were in a tournament together. It wasn't too long ago... don't tell me you forgot.

[She's got a really bad feeling about this, for so many different reasons. Kirito is... here. He shouldn't be here. And he doesn't remember her for some reason?

Please tell her he at least remembers her. Please.]

[elucidator]

[ upon seeing her expression, he feels bad almost instantaneously. still -- there wasn't much he could do in this situation. his memory wasn't one to fail, normally. ]

I don't recognise that game either, sorry.

[ it was strange, since he was usually so up-to-date with current games and the such. though, he had been stuck in SAO for a while -- enough to make that knowledge practically worthless.

for a moment, he hesitates in asking her his own question; his eyes flashing over to Celica. ... perhaps if he was vague. . . ]

Does Sword Art Online mean anything to you? [ he'll drop it if it doesn't. by answering this question though, it'll at least tell him if she's from his world or not. ]

[suckswithmaps]

[Yeah Celica will just... continue to watch and listen to the pair. Part of her feels bad and as though this is practically like eavesdropping, but she's still curious as to how the girl knows Kirito. Are they from the same world, maybe...?

Considering her expression and tone, she'd assume they were friends, but... Kirito apparently doesn't know her! Or.. something.

So naturally, Celica is confused. And curious. And wow this is none of her business is it um. Should she look away, maybe... or just leave them alone... aaaah what do...!]

[tank_sniper]

[Her attention is completely focused on Kirito by now. Sorry Celica ;;

At the question, she gives a nod of her head.]

The death game that ten thousand people were trapped in for two years. Everyone has heard of it.

i hope you're happy, dani...!

[elucidator]

[ it was a little too descriptive for his liking; he would've preferred a yes or no answer — but that worked too, he supposed. while he manages to keep a composed expression, the fact that she was talking about it in present tense... it wasn't hard to put one and one together.

whoever she was, it was likely she must've come from his future. somehow. but the mention of two years...? he had been stuck in it for around that long, and they weren't close to clearing the game just yet. just what had happened?

taking another moment, to regard her more closely. he definitely would've recognised her immediately, judging by her appearance. her seemingly incandescent light blue hair and piercing blue eyes as deep as an ocean all coupled with a cat-like look in general didn't seem easy to forget. ]

I think you must've come from my future somehow. [ insert sheepish laughter ] Because I'm very much still stuck in it. Or at least was — for now, at any rate.

[ he pauses, to shoot an apologetic look at Celica before turning back to Shinon. he feels a little guilty, since she must've felt like a third wheel of some sort. ]

Anyway. This is probably really awkward for you, huh? So... Let's start from the beginning, if you don't mind. [ he stands up from his position to walk over — extending a hand to her. ]

I'm Kirito, and you? [ this part was probably unnecessary but he's dorky like that. ]

oh god

[suckswithmaps]

[That's okay! If anything, Celica would feel a little more awkward had she actually been getting any attention from Shinon. I mean, she definitely doesn't know her, so... and the mention of these two.. Online things.. kinda solidifies that, since they're both completely foreign terms to Celica. And considering the girl's description of it, she's not sure if she would have liked to know what they are, either (in fact, her eyes may have widened a bit upon hearing that bit)...

She gives Kirito a smile and a wave when he looks back at her, as if to say, "no worries!" and when he gets up, she feels a little silly being the only one sitting on the ground. Sooo she'll stand back up herself! Being sure to stay a bit behind Kirito so that she doesn't interrupt the pair's (re?)introduction.]

Kirito no..........

[tank_sniper]

Your... future?

[Is that even possible?

Who is she kidding. This place has been bringing people from... well, different worlds at least. She's met hedgehogs turned into people, not to mention the scores of folks who clearly weren't dragged in as any type of online avatar. Somehow or another, this was its own strange world, and it was more than capable of taking people from all over space. So why would time be an issue?

...And yet...

She feels a pain in her chest. If he didn't know her... Never even met her... where did that leave her? After everything that they had gone through together, everything he'd done to help her... This Kirito knew none of that.

...

Still, explaining it wouldn't help here. There was too much, and frankly, there are other things to worry about. Like the fact that he was here of all places. She tries to keep her expression neutral, tries not to let her disappointment show through as she accepts that hand.]

I'm Shinon.

it begins

[elucidator]

[ it's not difficult to guess how she was feeling, and there really wasn't anything he could do besides to try and make it up to her somehow, if she were willing. and so far, it looked like she was -- so Kirito would make sure to not let her down any more than he already had. ]

It's nice to meet you. [ he offers her a grin while firmly shaking her hand. ]

By the way, this— [ he makes a hand gesture towards Celica ] —is Celica, and we've been partying together. You're probably not new like we are though, right?

[ from his observations, she didn't look anything like a newbie would. ]

there's no turning back now...

[suckswithmaps]

[On cue, Celica waves, giving Shinon a big smile.]

It's very nice to meet you, Shinon! We just got here earlier, so... [yeah... she scratches her head, albeit a bit sheepishly.]

can't escape Kirito's purple prosing...

[tank_sniper]

[She gives a nod to Celica, feeling a little bad about ignoring her up until this point.]

I've been here for... [a quick mental calculation] three months now.

crying

[elucidator]

[ when she nods, Kirito can't help but notice as her sky-shaded hair cascades downwards before it returns back to its original posi...tion...

he's a little curious as to why she's in such a low-levelled field as well, but he'll keep back the question for now. ]

Ah. I see. [ a beat. ] ... That's a long time to be stuck here for.

pats...

[suckswithmaps]

[Meanwhile, Celica gazes at Kirito's soft, flowing hair, coated in a shade of midnight-black mystique-- and yeah no I can't do this--

What Celica actually does is stare in surprise at Shinon. Three months, huh...]

That really is a long while, isn't it... Have people been here longer?

it's like a cycle of horrible

[tank_sniper]

...It's not that long compared to some.

[It's then that she looks to Celica, her piercing blue eyes staring straight into the woman's own ruby orbs, filled to the brim with surprise and curiosity

ow that hurts to write

*She then turns to Celica, explaining:]

I don't know how long some of the others have been here, but they were definitely around before I came. And some people have even been here and back twice.

oh my god sakfjdskfjd

[elucidator]

And it still shows no indication of being cleared any time soon.

[ he can't help but think to himself though, that there's at least a steady flow of people coming and going. it didn't possess half as many dangers as SAO did, which was a huge relief. ]

the worst

[suckswithmaps]

Coming here and back twice...? That must be really strange to experience.

[Hm.] You'd think that the game would be finished or at least close to being so after such a long time though...

I think you mean the best

[tank_sniper]

You would think that. But from what I can tell so far, there's no main goal to clear. I haven't even heard a hint about a final or ultimate boss.

in which best and worst are now synonymous

[elucidator]

Well, for now...

I guess there isn't much we can do besides grind to the highest level we can. [ he stretches out his limbs, as his mind gets to work. throwing a quick side glance to Celica, it'd probably be best for him to do more of his intel gathering later in the night. ]

[ aaaand then he directing his look over to Shino. ] What are you planning to do from here?

sounds legit

[suckswithmaps]

That's strange... [Shouldn't games like these have some sort of goal? Ah well...

But yes. Plans. What are they, Shino...!]

makes sense to me

[tank_sniper]

[She nods.]

It can't hurt to be strong enough to take on anything they might throw at us.

Anyway, I only came to this field to gather Chim Spheres. I'll probably go back to town and head to a higher level dungeon soon.

shounen protagonists do what they want dwi

[elucidator]

... Ah. I see. I was wondering what you were doing around here.

[ he notes "Chim Spheres" somewhere in the back of his mind to research more on later. ]

Going to go your way then? [ she didn't seem like the type of person to waste time, but by the same token Kirito did want to get to know her better. alas. he didn't plan on holding her back. ]

no never

[suckswithmaps]

Yeah, that's definitely true. [to the first part.

Celica's a little curious about these Chim Spheres as well, but noticing how Kirito hadn't pressed it any further, she decides not to as well. She could just look into it later herself! Or pester Kirito out if he ever finds out -- but yes... what do Shino--]

silly harem protags

[tank_sniper]

[Well it's not like Kirito needs to be babysat at this or anything.........]

I can stay a little longer if you two need help starting out. It's the first day for both of you, isn't it?

[Welp.]

girls girls, don't fight over me...!

[elucidator]

If it isn't trouble.

Having someone experienced [ and over levelled... ] around will probably make things more streamlined.