[CLOSED] The Silent City

[Kaito]

This is… real. This nightmare is…

”W-What? Why’s everyone glo- G-GAH! M-My voice it’s… my voice! My body! No, I don’t wanna look like this! I’m-I’m a hero! I’m…!”

Why did this happen…? How could this happen…?

”K-Kabuto? Is-Is that y- AAAH! No, please! D-Don’t look at me! I-I’m sorry, please, it-it’s not what you think…!”

Is she… gone? Is she really gone… because of me…?

”What… what did you do? Damn you, what the hell did you do to my SISTER YOU BASTARD!?"

I didn’t know. I-I couldn’t have known…

”You could have asked for help! You could have run! But you just wanted her for yourself! You’re a filthy PERVERT and a PEDO and now she’s dead because of YOU! Don’t talk to me! Don’t you goddamn even LOOK at me! If I ever see your face again, I’LL KILL YOU!!!”

    The man with the name of Kaito hanging above his head found himself once again staring vacant eyed at something only he could see, at the Friend’s List that was now useless to him. He found himself looking at it any time his mind drifted back to them, back to the mistakes that he made. But each time it was the same thing:

Hakuto: BLOCKED

Kabuto: BUSY

Sαkurα: BUSY

TigerLily: OFFLINE

    The strike through TigerLily’s name was the worst of it all, as if to magnify the severity of her lost on his list. He didn’t dare to think that he could remove her name from the list. He decided that it would be his burden to bare as long as he was in Aincrad. And for how long that could have been was anyone’s guess. There was so many unanswered questioned by that bastard Akhiko, like how they were to survive without food or water past 48 hours for one. Someone must have found him at some point, along with numerous other players as everyone had been in-game for a few days now. And it seemed like either the game or its creator had purposely designed the game to wear down the souls of those that played it.

    Kaito swiped upward in front of his face to take the list away, no longer able to bare looking at it for now as he looked passed at the large lake in the middle of town’s main thoroughfare, at least giving him the appearance of taking in a nice view of digital birds bathing in its waters and the chapel in the middle of the lake dedicated to a god or goddess in the in-game lore that no one cared about anymore. Much of the beauty that Aincrad and Sword Art Online once had felt diminished from before and it could be felt in the air and on every Player Character in town. There was a deathly quiet to the massive city now as players huddled amongst friends or family, others with the same misfortune as himself could be seen at the auditorium or the main plaza or lakeside like himself, sullen, lost and staring into the abyss uncertain where to go from here and wondering who would save them. Only the footsteps made noise now, at least if one was a PC. The NPCs continued their movements, carrying water jugs around the city without ever delivering their load, or having the same canned conversations with one another before going into inaudible whispers. It was when they laughed that it was the worst, the first day resulting in many players giving two hearty fisherman NPCs death-glares whenever they had the story of the one that got away.

    Fish… hm… when was the last time I had fish…? Been a while… I think it was a mackerel- D-Damnit! Kaito started to ponder to himself, suddenly remembering a succulent salted and grilled split mackerel that made his mouth begin to water and his belly gurgle, clutching his body and clenching his teeth, Shut up, shut up, shut up! You’re not real! You’re just a damn phantom thought… thing meant to act as a money pit, nothing more! You’re. Not. Real! As if the fact he was trapped in a video game wasn’t bad enough, every once in a while if a food item wasn’t consumed in a few hours’ time, the player would be racked by a growling stomach, much like in real life. It didn’t truly nourish the player, of course, but gave the sensation of it. Much like a number of players in town, he had stayed away from returning to the Great Plains out of fear of running into something that could kill him as quickly as that War Hog. But all the Col that he had made with TigerLily was gone now and his neurons for identifying hunger were being fired significantly. If he was to get rid of this, it was plainly simple: he had no items to sell, so he had to fight.

    ”Damnit…” He allowed himself to mutter out loud of the reality of his situation, sighing as the pain subsided for now. The weight of the blade at his side a reminder that he wasn’t entirely helpless but looking over at the Level 1 Curved Sword, it still felt rather alien to him. Enough Samurai films and anime had taught him how to use a katana (or at the very least mimic the motions of them) but they weren’t available to him until a few more levels in his starting skill. But sabers or… scimitars or whatever this was that was hanging at his hip? He knew next to nothing. During the Beta he had simply relied on the numbers to get him through battles, not actual skill until he got the Katana Mastery talent. This would be an uphill battle for sure. He was going to need to find at least a pick-up group.

    Picking himself up off the marble shoreline, he looked off towards the massive stone walls and the giant gate that a number of players had used as a gathering point, knowing that past them was trouble. Anyone with the skill and the courage to continue playing Kayaba’s game were there. Just… keep calm. Everyone’s in the same boat as you. Just walk up and ask. It’s… it’s no big deal. He thought to himself, psyching himself up during his walk up to the exit. A group of five players, all men who already looked to be out of their beginner’s gear seemed to be talking strategy with one another. Well, “talking” was an understatement as the glances at one another and the arching of eyebrows suggested that they were in Group Chat having a private conversation. Perhaps they were getting ready to head out again.

    ”Ano… Sumimasen? Excuse me, uh, hello?” Kaito said in both languages to see if he could get their attention, lifting a hand in both greeting with an awkward smile when he got the attention of an axe wielder with a goatee in the group. “Hmm? Yes? Sorry, do we know one another or something?” He asked with a hand at his side, arching an eyebrow at him. It made sense really, the Mirrors had changed many player’s appearances drastically. ”Um, no, not really. I just… well, you looked like you were about to leave town and I wanted to know if you needed another sword to help you out.” Kaito explained, rubbing a hand through messy dark hair nervously. The older player seemed a bit distracted, glancing to his side and stroking his chin hair, “Hmm, maybe so. Are ya familiar with MMO games and things? Lotta newbies around here, you understand?” The axeman asked. ”O-Oh yeah! From big name stuff like Eff-Eff Eleven and WoW to free-to-play stuff. So that’s… um…” He said a little excitedly to show he knew what he was talking about, using the abbreviations and short hand but there seemed to be a change in the demeanor and body language of the team, not wanting to look him in the eye and glancing at each other. Except for one man in the group glaring at him with a sideways glance with a bright tan headband. One similar to a guy near Haruto when he went off on him. He must have remember Kaito and he felt his heart sink when he realized what must have been “said” between them.

    “Um, actually we’re expecting another player to be joining us soon. A friend of a friend, so…” He tried to explain, already beginning to turning back towards his group as he frowned at him. Kaito had difficulty looking him in the eye either as he mumbled back, ”No, I… I understand. Sorry to bother you. Sumimasen… It would have been just his luck that someone who caught wind of that accusation would be in the party. He wondered just how many other knew or had spread it to their friends… but he also knew that it was equally possible that such things could be easily be forgotten too. Still, after such a denial, it was hard to ask someone else. Maybe he should just go solo anyways? Would be easier that way in the end, didn’t have to bother anyone else in the process. After all, what lost was it if he…

    No, don’t think like that. Try again, just once more. He thought to himself, clenching his eyes tight and gripping the scabbard of his sword, glancing around the area once more, Someone here needs someone's help, just like you. Just… focus…

[Rue]

The Town Of Beginnings still had a unsettling aura to it, Rue hated coming back to it. Fill of wastes of, skin no more like code that represents what will be lost, or is already lost to the permanent residents of this city. Walking past the cries of the self imprisoned, Rue goes about her business handing in her quests. " Thank you for the..", "Skip", "Just wha...", "skip" "I'm gla..", "skip", the Npcs and players might as well be one in the same, as Rue forcefully verbally tosses her proxies aside.

Rounding up her next batch of quests an excisions she cuts through the Main Square of the town, moving past the players and their question pleas an offers, with as much care as she had given the Npc's. However someone caught her attention, he was a adult man looked sickly, or a result from a lack of sleep. Theirs no doubt however his look of personal care, this man was doomed from the start. An unshaven face, a pale sickly complexion and a skinny lanky form. This however seem to be a recent transformation not a long standing feature. The man even with his faults seem adamant on pushing forward, a small spark ready to burn bright or diminish in the wake of a light breeze.

No matter Rue thought to herself, he won't go out alone so theirs little chance of him dying. Why does it even matter he's of no use to me or completing this game, so why do I even care? I know in the beginning I stumble, the thought of death kept me frozen in fear. I'm not like him I fought my demons and not death nor any other treat will stop me from faltering ever again.

Tightening her grip on her shield she turns her Amber stare forward and marched with a powerful and commanding steps and posture. "Never falter never quit I promised myself in the alleys of the town".

[Kaito]

    Kaito's black eyes looked over the huddled groups of players, finding himself counting the amount in each of them. Everyone had been bunching into groups of six, the max party size and one other team that seemed to have room for two were a group of kids maybe ten years younger than him. With those fellows from before still close by, with the "knowledge" they had, he could have easily been called out on trying to get with them for underhanded reasons. Things were beginning to look even bleaker for him... until thud against his arm brought him back to attention as someone bumped into him. "Ah! So-Sor...ry...?" He began to apologize but the current of icy white hair that brushed against him didn't turn or reply, just kept on moving ahead as the small female form was striving purposely toward the Great Plains with no one at her side. Was she unaware of the danger out there? That things had changed since the Beta? What if she wasn't even in the Beta beforehand?

    "Ch-Chotto, matte! Wait a second!" He called out to her and jogging towards the girl, not for the moment caring how this looked with an outstretched arm, "You shouldn't go out there by yourself, it's too dangerous! You should take your friends along to help you, at the very least..."

[Rue]

Pushing past the man that had caught her momentary attention he let out a weak apology. Rue lost what little respect she once had for him and ignored his words. he heard him speak to her in Japanese, least he figured out the right language most likely just an Otaku. A weird sensation hit her, she turn to look back to check her gut feeling. See saw an arm and turn right and lighted her right shield up, and parried his arm while with her left hand drew her weapon and pointed it towards his neck. Boring into him with her burning amber eyes and a strong tone as she retorts back at him in Japanese.

" Maybe you should be a little more carful who you talk to or attempt to touch". The other players seem to back away from the scene and speak among themselves, " Man what an idiot talking to the Ice Princess". The other continue " I know right man what do you know what her"? " Not much see comes back here once in a blue moon to hand in quests and restock, few people tied asking to party up, but she said she didn't want the reasonability of their future died to worry about".

[Kaito]

    Kaito had just about reached the girl, hand falling a little when that flash of snow white hair whipped around, feeling a buzzing feeling in his entire hand was knocked to the side, black eyes widening as the tip her sword found its way to his throat. The sudden action caused an instant commotion amongst everyone there as gasps and mutterings in all kinds of languages could instantly be heard. The young girl was almost a head shorter than her but the way she carried herself made her seem 8 feet tall, those fiery eyes a stark contrast to the icy cold but youthful voice that came from the pale girl. "N-Nanda yo!? <I-I wasn't going to tou- Damnit, I'm just trying to warn you here!>" He said in her native tongue, trying to explain himself but finding himself growing frustrated at all this continual embarrassment. All this attention was the last thing he wanted as people were now whispering in live chat around him, just barely getting a repeated name: The Ice Princess. Was this girl someone popular? Someone on YouTube or 2chan or NicoNico or something? Just who the hell was this "Rue", as her name floated above her head and why is she so known?

    "<Listen! This game isn't the same as it was before! Powerful monsters that weren't in the Beta can spawn right in high traffic zones, stronger status effect attacks from creatures you don't expect, don't you get it!?>" He found himself saying louder than before, as there was no point in trying to be private after something so dramatic as drawing her weapon like that, scoffing sharply before lowering his voice, "<So you shouldn't go out there alone. I just wanted to ask if you needed a partner, that's all!>"

[Rue]

Sheathed her sword Rue covered the mans mouth forcefully, as she dragged the man into a near by alley. "Quiet", When the reach the alleyway. Releasing the man from her grasp she relaxes a bit and speaks more calmly. "sorry about before you surprised me I may have reacted a bit hastily". Looking at him with a more friendly expression, but still on the edge of a commanding stare. "don't mention, any early testing or access to the general population. They tend to feel disingenuous to people who have outside involvement to SAO".

" Yes the monsters are different.... the feel more like how they did in the Alpha, guess someone wanted to make things more difficult to increase the death toll". Leaning back on a wall her eyes still on him. " Why do you want to partner up you don't look in a state to be fighting with your life on the line, it's fine if your just playing a game monsters are just experience, but in a battle with real stake you think you can handle the pressure, have you even left the town"?

[Kaito]

    No sooner was the tip of her blade gone from his collarbone was a surprisingly forcefully little hand reaching up to grasp him by the jaw, muffling screams of shock as the grown man was yanked away from the main thoroughfare, through throngs of players with looks of pity and disgust at such a sight and down past the various adjoining houses, flats and apartments before being shoved down an alley, coughing as he gained a breath (artificially anyways, it could just have been a his body reacting appropriately to what just occurred.) Hearing her flat order to keep quiet as they reached the alley they were currently at. "<Oh! *hack, koff!* I'm sorry, I don't w- *Koff!* I don't wanna draw attention to us or anything, do I!?>" Kaito said, clearing his throat as he growled his sarcasm through gritted teeth.

"sorry about before you surprised me I may have reacted a bit hastily".

    "<I suppose drawing a weapon against someone's normal for you then? I'd hate to see the aftermath of one of your surprise parties...>"  He muttered in return, turning away to straightening his blue shirt, still rather sour from her actions already today.

Looking at him with a more friendly expression, but still on the edge of a commanding stare. "don't mention, any early testing or access to the general population. They tend to feel disingenuous to people who have outside involvement to SAO".

        He gave her an incredulous aside glance, her attempt at a friendly demeanor falling flat for now, especially with the suggestion she gave him. "<D-Disingenuous to- What are you talking about!? Right now people need our help and advice the most! Sure, we didn't get through a ton of content; I think we only reached Level 5 of this game before the Beta ended but, dammit, we can at least keep them informed with what's normal and what's not for the first few stories! Some of the top players even made a freaking community instruction manual for a cheap purchase in-game! I mean, it was a Closed Beta but they sent Game Keys to those who requested it and in limited edition Nerve Gear bundles, we didn't just get a random e-mail from Kayaba himself! Because I don't know about you but I sure as hell didn't get the Memo saying, "Hey guys, just an FYI, our next patch is going to knock you dead... literately!">" He said passionately yet full of cynicism, clenching his fists in front of him as he growled his words.

" Yes the monsters are different.... they feel more like how they did in the Alpha, guess someone wanted to make things more difficult to increase the death toll".

    That, however, took him out of his ranting and raving as he blinked at the teenage girl, "<T-The Alpha? There was a public Alpha? I never heard of this before...>" He said with surprise, "<I don't recall SAO being an "early access" game. How did you...?>"

Leaning back on a wall her eyes still on him. " Why do you want to partner up you don't look in a state to be fighting with your life on the line, it's fine if your just playing a game monsters are just experience, but in a battle with real stake you think you can handle the pressure, have you even left the town"?

    Kaito clenched his jaw at this accusation, still gripping a fist tight at being so brazenly up-front with calling him everything but a coward, glaring her way in response, "<I HAVE left town, if you must know. It was before Kayaba revealed the full extent of this "game" he made. Why would I warn you about the random difficult spawns, if I didn't? It's how I lost- how we lost someone in the pick-up-group I was apart of.>" He explained, glancing away momentarily at that last sentence before returning back to her, "<But that's neither here-nor-there, what makes YOU think you have what it takes to be "Little Miss Solo Player" out there? Because of all our "practice fighting" in video games? Because where I'm standing, I'm seeing a girl who maybe just started High School and not some child soldier from a war-torn country. We've been used to just right-clicking on a mob and using skills until it dies, or we die. Not directly fighting it with what feels like a physical form! So just cut the "veteran warrior" crap already!>"

[Rue]

Still looking at the man, his first comments were funny. I guess if she would ever have a surprise party, I might turn out in a similar fashion. A small smile formed around the girl of fire an ice.. His qip about the beta was even more amusing, a caused a small chuckle to escape her mouth. " I don't know why the react the way to act, maybe the shock and torrent of emotion are being directed towards anything or anyone who might or might not be connected. I am not them however so I cannot answer on their behalf".

Turn on her side to face the man more directly as she sifted her weight on her side to the wall. His question about the alpha being unheard of was not surprising, It was not public knowledge. Standing up and crossing her arms and widening her stance Rue changes her personality to a over the top monarch. " Of course you don't know about the Alpha it was not public knowledge". Changing into a more reserved stance with a more intellectual personality. " Argus personally contacted me in regards to testing the World Seed engine and the first game with, namely SAO. My first experience of SA with in Argus itself. I must of been their for months testing the game, but not once did I come into Kayaba, I merely filled out reports and worked on my own first impression for my fans. I've been through at least the first half of then game, however the other half was unfinished so I never got a chance to play it". Switching to a more cute stance with and cuter tone to match. " After my job was done I was given a personalized nerve gear and a bunch of beta passes to hand out to likely fans for and chance to play the beta with yours truly". Another personality change back to her real self, her apathetic tone reset. " My Junko Enoshima has gotten rusty, was my most resent upload before SAO. Thought it might be easier if you would recognize Rue the popular Lper, Cosplay ect. You seem to be the type that might be interested in that sort of thing.

Looking with a more empathy in her eyes in voice. " Sorry about your team member". Going back a more stern tone. " You could of just heard that from someone why should I take your words on your field skill. Don't talk to me like your superior your the one whose been begging for a teammate I've been out their more than anyone, maybe not as might much with the current risk, but I continue to live. " i'll give you that i'm not a veteran warrior with years of battle experience under my belt, but I know how use a sword in an out of the game".

Going back to her amber glare and forceful tone. " You don't know anything about me so don't try an tell me what to do, if you want to team up. then I have no objections you seem to have more backbone then I can say for the rest of the other players. If you handle yourself like you say, then I might consider future cooperation". Rue turns her tone down to a less intense level. " Lastly... thank you for the concern, your in the same situation as every else and already lost a friend, but you still show concern for other it's pretty amazing. Now do you still wish to cooperate or not"?

[Kaito]

    Seeing the white haired girl smile and giggle at his insults and criticism of her logic made his face crunch up in concern at the fact he might have bumped into a real crazy one, especially giggling at a time like this. Still, it seemed that she didn’t understand it either. Maybe this was just momentary and once the player base starts constructively putting its ire in the right direction, to beating this sorry excuse for a game, he could be more open at being a Beta tester. Still, her response about her involvement in the so-called Alpha caused a flood of different emotions in him that he wasn't prepared for.

Turn on her side to face the man more directly as she sifted her weight on her side to the wall. His question about the alpha being unheard of was not surprising, It was not public knowledge. Standing up and crossing her arms and widening her stance Rue changes her personality to a over the top monarch. " Of course you don't know about the Alpha it was not public knowledge". Changing into a more reserved stance with a more intellectual personality. " Argus personally contacted me in regards to testing the World Seed engine and the first game with, namely SAO. My first experience of SA with in Argus itself. I must of been their for months testing the game, but not once did I come into Kayaba, I merely filled out reports and worked on my own first impression for my fans. I've been through at least the first half of then game, however the other half was unfinished so I never got a chance to play it". Switching to a more cute stance with and cuter tone to match. " After my job was done I was given a personalized nerve gear and a bunch of beta passes to hand out to likely fans for and chance to play the beta with yours truly". Another personality change back to her real self, her apathetic tone reset. " My Junko Enoshima has gotten rusty, was my most resent upload before SAO. Thought it might be easier if you would recognize Rue the popular Lper, Cosplay ect. You seem to be the type that might be interested in that sort of thing.

    It was now Kaito’s turn to rest along the wall, eyes wide as she quickly and seemingly nonchalantly relayed being inside the Argus offices, personally helping to test the game herself because… she was an LPer? And some sort of Cosplay celebrity too? He had to hold his forehead as he took in all of this so quickly. "<S-So wait, let me see if I’m getting this… you’ve played this game, with the Nerve Gear, for months already, inside their headquarters itself, practically working for the company as a Play Tester and an internet LP celebrity AND a famous cos-player, to boot? Am I getting all this straight?>” He repeated back, incredulously as he brushed his scattered grey hair from his face, letting out a sharp sigh, "<You know what, I take it back. From your world apparently, being outed would make sense for people to think you had something to do with it… if I even believed that for a second.>” He crossed his arms and lifted a leg against the wall, "<Listen, I haven’t really been part of any kind of “anime community” before, had no time for it, nor for watching someone else play a video game. I could easily spend my time, you know, playing the game myself. And even if I did, and you’re like the next PewDiePie or Hannah Minx or Jessica Nigri, I wouldn’t have known about it since I’ve been putting my nose the grindstone in collage for the past five years. So excuse me for thinking this, you know, A BIT far-fetched.>”

Looking with a more empathy in her eyes in voice. " Sorry about your team member".

    Kaito’s face softened a bit as she said those words, needing to hear it for a while as he sighed, "<Well… thank you. It’s been pretty h-…>”

Going back a more stern tone. " You could of just heard that from someone why should I take your words on your field skill. Don't talk to me like your superior your the one whose been begging for a teammate I've been out their more than anyone, maybe not as might much with the current risk, but I continue to live. " i'll give you that i'm not a veteran warrior with years of battle experience under my belt, but I know how use a sword in an out of the game".

Going back to her amber glare and forceful tone. " You don't know anything about me so don't try an tell me what to do, if you want to team up. then I have no objections you seem to have more backbone then I can say for the rest of the other players. If you handle yourself like you say, then I might consider future cooperation".

    …Aaaand that tender moment died in a blaze of fire as he rolled his eyes as wide as he could and rubbed his forehead, somehow feeling this in-game avatar’s own stress related headache from the girl and her fire & ice personality. She was like the worst aspects of the Tsundere and Emotionless Girl in anime tropes crammed into one another! "<Oh for the love of…! So, okay, play tester, LPer, famous cosplayer, played through possibly 50 of the floors here already AND you’re a trained swordswoman? And you have a hard time believing I haven’t been outside but I should believe in this!? So, between all of this, where does SCHOOL and LIFE go!? Goddamn- I suppose you’re also secretly the daughter of some powerful Japanese business executive with a mutli-billion yen income, or perhaps he’s a yakuza crimeboss or you’re a shinigami in disgu- NNGH…!>” He cried and went into her, at first counting off all the things she was claiming on his fingers before throwing them up in the air in frustration when as if to keep him from putting his foot any further in his mouth, the whining and growling of him stomach quickly shutting him up, hugging his body till the painful sensation went away.

Rue turns her tone down to a less intense level. " Lastly... thank you for the concern, your in the same situation as every else and already lost a friend, but you still show concern for other it's pretty amazing. Now do you still wish to cooperate or not"?

    He stood there, taking in deep breaths while the pain subsided, glancing up into the amber eyes every so often as he sighed and shook his head, "<Damnnit… I don’t get you. Can’t tell if you’re just trying to get a rise out of me with this whole “Tsundere” act and these wild tales or if you’re really just this inept at social interaction…>” He muttered, sniffing as he sat up and breathed out, "<But… right now I’m pretty much as socially lacking as you are and have no one else to rely on…. *sigh* I need help. Please… and I think you do to, even if you don’t believe it.>”

[Rue]

Rue's expression and voice softens, and his comment on her parents made her question her parents occupation. They never really were around, and they never talked about work when they were. " Let's stop talking about me and what I may or may not be. What we both know is that were stuck in a Video Game with life and death, we both have experience in game and you". Rue pauses for a moment. " We need help, so teaming up would at least double are rate of success". Looking at the man with a serious expression, but still keeping a nice vocal tone to hopefully keep the man from getting more upset and making her feel worse then she already did. Reaching out her open left hand " I accept your proposal, i'm assuming since your the one who recommended the cooperation you have a goal for us to achieve"?

Looking at him waiting for his response, her expression loses some of it's seriousness. " I did not ask you what your name was, sorry this is the first actual conversation I've had since I've been here and I was not what you would call a socialite in the real world to begin with".

[Kaito]

    The stress Kaito had over the past few days had grown so violently that it wasn’t until phantom pains in his stomach cleared his head that he got a good look over her face, especially as he called her out on how ridiculous her own claims were, to the point that when he mentioned her parents, she looked genuinely upset. Oh jeez… I think I went too far that time. Great job, Katsuro; first girl you’ve worked up the nerve to talk to and you’ve almost made her cry. He thought to himself as she softened up to the point that the whole “Ice Princess” act seemed a little more reasonable, if still very professional before realizing, ‘Course, if she hadn’t made a scene, this wouldn’t have happened. Guh, this feels like the opening to some kind of bad Dating Sim. Not that THAT’S ever going to happen now… Or would want to.

    "<Listen… I don’t know if I can trust your story or any of the claims you’ve said. But… I feel at the very least I can trust you to keep up your side of a deal. Things are scary enough as it is, we don’t need to add not trusting one another to at least attempt to get out of here alive as a group to it. So for now, let’s go with a bit of a Long Term/Short Term goal, okay?>” He suggested as he sat up from the adjacent alley wall and moved closer to her, raising an arm and swiping downward as a familiar row of buttons appeared in front of him, typing out on it while he still spoke, "<Long term wise, it seems SAO has some pretty crappy drop rates if you’re still walking around in the same gear after heading out and back so many times by yourself. So let’s try grinding some on the monsters in the Great Plains for Copper Ore, Tanned Hides and Chestnut Wood so we can at least stop marching around in our beginner gear. I’m trained in Blacksmithing, though if you’re not trained in Tailoring, well, we’re going to have to ask around so I can trade finished materials with them. As for the short term, grinding for Col helps in many areas… um, like taking caring of this “de-buff” for instance.>” He half-smirked as he pointed towards his belly, as if the noises that were made earlier couldn’t suggest it further that he had the “Hungry” status at the moment.

Looking at him waiting for his response, her expression loses some of it's seriousness. " I did not ask you what your name was, sorry this is the first actual conversation I've had since I've been here and I was not what you would call a socialite in the real world to begin with".

Kaito had to chuckle at the understatement she made as he finished typing on his hovering menu screen, "<Heh, I guess it must be easier to talk to your adoring fans when they’re just a camera that can’t reply back then? In any case Rue… Rue, that’s your name, right? For now, you can call me Kaito.>” He said with a soft smile, reaching out and taking her small hand in his, just as an identification ding appeared on her side, a window opening to read:

<Kaito> has invited you to a group:
Accept / Reject