[ Memoir and Uta's scheduled tea time friend date is here. Memoir asks Uta to meet him at a tea shop -- one that sells various specialty drinks, like boba, fruit teas and such -- and he's sitting at a nearby table, waiting patiently for her arrival. A part of him feels nervous, anticipating the worst, like Uta's already lost herself or that she won't show up because something's happened to her. It feels like she might slip away at any moment, now.
On the tabletop, however, is something interesting. It's a picture frame with something inside.
When Uta arrives, Memoir won't move to give it to her just yet. Instead, he'll just greet her with a smile and a wave. ]
[ fortunately for him when uta does show up she looks pretty much the same as always—well, aside from the different skin that she has decided to use for their meet up. sure, a casual meet up for tea probably doesn't warrant to be dressed up like this but given the state of everything, there's also no reason why she couldn't. (if she doesn't wear it now then when!!) but the way she walks is the same as he would remember and the way she looks is the same. ]
Hello Memoir!
[ and when she sees memoir waving to her, she'll be quick to wave back to him and hurry over to the table. again, all typical behavior of one (dead) uta. when she finally reaches the table, she won't take a seat just yet and just stands there for a moment to see if he had ordered anything. ]
It certainly has been, hasn't it? Which feels kind of funny to say given how we're always logged on and you'd think it wouldn't be so hard.
Mhm, but I'm sure we've both been busy. It's alright. I'm just glad to see you now.
[ He feels like he should have probably dressed a little nicer for this, given the skin she's wearing, but that's okay. He doesn't think she minds. Memoir is empty-handed, though, other than the object he has on the table...which he slides over to her first, before they even get their tea. ]
This is for you, by the way. It's nothing special, but I hope you like it anyway.
Me too. [ and with this, she'll finally take a seat across from memoir minding the way her clothes as she does. given how she normally dresses, this is significantly fancier and somehow manages to cover her more than her default skin. there's a pleasant smile on her face as she speaks. ] I'm really happy that you've made time to see me. If only we had more opportunities to do this.
[ when memoir slides over the doodles over towards her, however, she'll stare at it a bit confused for a moment before placing her hands on it. uta deciding to ask her question before taking a look at what was framed. photos weren't something that they could obtain...right? ]
But he has a wide smile on his face when Uta takes the drawing. She seems a bit confused, which is to be expected – Memoir will gladly explain himself. ]
I was thinking...that you've been through so much, Uta. And I worry about you, but I also wanted a way to remind you that you aren't alone.
I asked for help. This is what we came up with.
[ Hence the little Oria and Sinclair at the top. ]
[ as he explains to her what she'll be looking at, she'll flips over the frame to see the drawing. though she's not actively responding to his words or the sentiment, it's clear that she's moved by the drawing as a gentle smile spreads across her face. ]
I see.
[ she won't say anything else for a moment and simply sit there smiling at the drawing. ]
The other two in this drawing... [ sorry she's going to have to do a bit of a squint as she tries to think about who the other two could be. given the context there are only so many names. ] Oriade and...Vogel?
[ since uta does not know anyone's real name. well. almost no one. ]
[ He means that, and judging by her expression, she's touched. Good. Perhaps this isn't a "mission accomplished" for him, but he's at least glad she looks so happy. ]
They care about you, too, but you probably already know that. We're all here for you, Uta.
[ He doesn't reach out to pat her shoulder or anything like that, but the gentle smile on his face (that has a hint of concern in it, too) shows his sincerity. ]
[ Nothing is impossible, no? Including the lives of two people being preserved after everything is said and done...for one battle, at least.
Albedo heads down to the at home after taking care of honestly extremely minor business (really, it is hardly worth mentioning), and allows himself back into the Operatives guild.
He takes a little longer to prepare the other his favorite dessert. Whatever substitutions he has to make, he'll manage. Albedo has heard of the recipe before and he is a lover of sweets. He vaguely recalls that much.
Once done, Albedo will knock upon the other male's door lightly with one hand. ]
[ Noé is achey and getting out of bed is such a task, but he manages to roll out from under the covers and rise to his feet. He gets ready for the day right away, because who knows what it'll bring... Eventually, he hears a knock on his door, and he opens it, wearing one of his nice skins. ]
Hello, Albedo. Come in.
[ He'll step off to the side and let Albedo enter his humble abode. ]
I think there's a lot to discuss with everyone, but I'll answer any of your questions now, if you want.
[ How arduous, no? Albedo is...wearing what he always does. He was never much for fashion or looking different than he usually has. A constant that remains in-game except the minor embellishments like fantasy-themed dress, markings, and the like.
Once he's within the room, he takes stock of the other man properly. ]
What was the action that sealed their defeat, exactly?
[ Holding out the dessert in question to Noé now. ]
And are your injuries bothering you? As I understand it, healing is hampered in the game.
A lot of teamwork, but the final blow to Macha was dealt by Swallow, a Data Drain user. Leviathan finished Tarvos off with a stab, but I know there was a Data Drain attempt before that...
[ He frowns, recalling it all. He remembers all the blood on his hands. But his spirits lift immediately when he sees the dessert. ]
You made it?! I think my injuries suddenly went away after seeing it!
[ He will gladly take the dessert and chow down, thank you! ]
Fascinating. So this 'Data Drain' in action done by them is what finished them off? And these two are part of the initial Data Drain team.
[ Albedo smiles slightly regardless. Something about the other male's actions in eagerly consuming the food he's given is nothing short of...novel. Though he doesn't understand why? Perhaps it's simply the exuberance, is all.
But he waits until he is finished eating. Then he comes closer and holds out a hand. ]
I believe I have always had an inclination towards sweets, so this feels well within my specialty. However, I hesitate to conclude that it was that level of effective. Let me see your hand; I may not be a doctor but even I understand that following such high level of activity any irregular pulse may be cause for concern.
You should also let me know if you have any lingering pains.
[ Albedo is blinking at the question. Injuries may linger, so is it so strange? Then again, he doesn't come off as the type of person to worry.
He reaches out to take hold of the hand, pressing a finger gently in the middle of his wrist, holding it gently. The warmth of it is nonetheless memorable from last time, though that is not something to be advertised in normal conversation, he thinks; merely an idle thought. ]
Depending on the level of injury, there can be remnants.
[ After confirming that Memoir is in his room at Phantom Operatives guild house, Joonghyuk goes there immediately. It's clear that there's something he wants to discuss, but he'd rather not do it over text messages. After knocking once, he reaches for the door knob to open the door and get in. ]
Hey, Memoir. I'll cut to the chase—did you get any new skills recently?
[ Considering what happened at Δ Haggard Traveler’s Reprieve, Noé might need some more rest, but... they also need to be prepared for what might come. ]
[ Punisher doesn't say anything for a while and definitely doesn't reply to Noé's question. His expression is pretty serious (more than usual) when he speaks up again. ]
@ uta
On the tabletop, however, is something interesting. It's a picture frame with something inside.
When Uta arrives, Memoir won't move to give it to her just yet. Instead, he'll just greet her with a smile and a wave. ]
Uta...! Hello. It's been a while.
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Hello Memoir!
[ and when she sees memoir waving to her, she'll be quick to wave back to him and hurry over to the table. again, all typical behavior of one (dead) uta. when she finally reaches the table, she won't take a seat just yet and just stands there for a moment to see if he had ordered anything. ]
It certainly has been, hasn't it? Which feels kind of funny to say given how we're always logged on and you'd think it wouldn't be so hard.
[ just like real life.... ]
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[ He feels like he should have probably dressed a little nicer for this, given the skin she's wearing, but that's okay. He doesn't think she minds. Memoir is empty-handed, though, other than the object he has on the table...which he slides over to her first, before they even get their tea. ]
This is for you, by the way. It's nothing special, but I hope you like it anyway.
[ Please accept his little doodles, Uta... ]
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[ when memoir slides over the doodles over towards her, however, she'll stare at it a bit confused for a moment before placing her hands on it. uta deciding to ask her question before taking a look at what was framed. photos weren't something that they could obtain...right? ]
What is this?
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[ Before Corbenik comes out to play, anyway...
But he has a wide smile on his face when Uta takes the drawing. She seems a bit confused, which is to be expected – Memoir will gladly explain himself. ]
I was thinking...that you've been through so much, Uta. And I worry about you, but I also wanted a way to remind you that you aren't alone.
I asked for help. This is what we came up with.
[ Hence the little Oria and Sinclair at the top. ]
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I see.
[ she won't say anything else for a moment and simply sit there smiling at the drawing. ]
The other two in this drawing... [ sorry she's going to have to do a bit of a squint as she tries to think about who the other two could be. given the context there are only so many names. ] Oriade and...Vogel?
[ since uta does not know anyone's real name. well. almost no one. ]
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[ He means that, and judging by her expression, she's touched. Good. Perhaps this isn't a "mission accomplished" for him, but he's at least glad she looks so happy. ]
They care about you, too, but you probably already know that. We're all here for you, Uta.
[ He doesn't reach out to pat her shoulder or anything like that, but the gentle smile on his face (that has a hint of concern in it, too) shows his sincerity. ]
@ Phantom Operatives Guild Home Post-battle
Albedo heads down to the at home after taking care of honestly extremely minor business (really, it is hardly worth mentioning), and allows himself back into the Operatives guild.
He takes a little longer to prepare the other his favorite dessert. Whatever substitutions he has to make, he'll manage. Albedo has heard of the recipe before and he is a lover of sweets. He vaguely recalls that much.
Once done, Albedo will knock upon the other male's door lightly with one hand. ]
I've arrived.
Are you still awake?
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Hello, Albedo. Come in.
[ He'll step off to the side and let Albedo enter his humble abode. ]
I think there's a lot to discuss with everyone, but I'll answer any of your questions now, if you want.
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Once he's within the room, he takes stock of the other man properly. ]
What was the action that sealed their defeat, exactly?
[ Holding out the dessert in question to Noé now. ]
And are your injuries bothering you? As I understand it, healing is hampered in the game.
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[ He frowns, recalling it all. He remembers all the blood on his hands. But his spirits lift immediately when he sees the dessert. ]
You made it?! I think my injuries suddenly went away after seeing it!
[ He will gladly take the dessert and chow down, thank you! ]
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[ Albedo smiles slightly regardless. Something about the other male's actions in eagerly consuming the food he's given is nothing short of...novel. Though he doesn't understand why? Perhaps it's simply the exuberance, is all.
But he waits until he is finished eating. Then he comes closer and holds out a hand. ]
I believe I have always had an inclination towards sweets, so this feels well within my specialty. However, I hesitate to conclude that it was that level of effective. Let me see your hand; I may not be a doctor but even I understand that following such high level of activity any irregular pulse may be cause for concern.
You should also let me know if you have any lingering pains.
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Especially since Albedo is asking for his hand. Mid-bite, Memoir's eyes widen, and he swallows before setting his dessert off to the side. ]
My pulse? ... You're really worried, aren't you?
[ Memoir grins before he extends a hand towards Albedo. He remembers how it felt to hold his hand the first time.
...Huh. ]
Sure, you can check it.
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He reaches out to take hold of the hand, pressing a finger gently in the middle of his wrist, holding it gently. The warmth of it is nonetheless memorable from last time, though that is not something to be advertised in normal conversation, he thinks; merely an idle thought. ]
Depending on the level of injury, there can be remnants.
[ There's a pause and he asks, again: ]
Are you in any lingering pain?
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Well, my muscles are sore, and I'm sure I have bruises everywhere...
[ And cuts. A lot of cuts from being sliced up by shards. ]
My HP is fine, though.
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He'll just keep holding it, it's fine. ]
Then, everything should be fine.
[ ... ]
...It appears everything may be coming to a head sooner than any of us might have anticipated. And, I do doubt this will be the last fight.
I do wonder if everyone will be able to sustain multiple battles of this nature, however.
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1/2
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between 10/29 and 10/30 (vague timeline best timeline)
Hey, Memoir. I'll cut to the chase—did you get any new skills recently?
[ Considering what happened at Δ Haggard Traveler’s Reprieve, Noé might need some more rest, but... they also need to be prepared for what might come. ]
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But Memoir blinks, a little surprised to see Punisher's sudden arrival (despite them planning to meet here). New skills? Let's see...
... ]
A few. One of them is about...taking hostages?
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Taking... hostages?
[ That requires some explanation. ]
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[ It seems OP but like he will take it. STARES AT THIS BOSS BATTLE. HE WILL TAKE IT. ]
What about you?
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[ Punisher doesn't say anything for a while and definitely doesn't reply to Noé's question. His expression is pretty serious (more than usual) when he speaks up again. ]
Use it on me.
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[ Excuse him??? ]
Why should I do that?
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[ His pro-gamer mode kicked in. Gotta try out all the skills. Bring on the Noé trial. ]
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[ He will go ahead and cast We Need a Hostage on Punisher, then... ]
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So...
[ Punisher used Supreme King! But nothing happened!! ]
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