SAO: Roleplay

Eduardo rubbed his cheek to wipe the sensation of the kiss off, while I did my best not to shudder. Artemis playfully punched me on the arm and said "Come on, we should get back to it. After all we need to check with our scouts and see if the boss room was found." Nodding, we all got up and left, heading back for our HQ.

It took about twenty minutes to reach the dungeon, and while we weren't the first to arrive, there weren't many around, and that meant plenty of monsters.
Using a powerful slash skill on the monster in front of me and almost destroying it, the second enemy, a skeletal minotaur, raised and swung its axe to hit me, only to be blocked by Lionelle's shield. Without skipping a beat, Rissezz darted underneath the axe, her sabre cutting through its ribs and killing it. For this dungeon, we were actually over-levelled, the general rule being ten levels above the floor number.

When we got back we only just got reports from our scouts: the labyrinth of floor 75 was found, which meant the boss room was close to being found as well. It also meant we received calls from the other guilds about meeting there, so we formed a party and headed out. The rest of our guild was informed to party up and meet us there, but in the meantime it was just us four teleporting to the labyrinth entrance.

With this area cleared, I activated my hide skill and went ahead, my partymates taking a moment to catch their breath. It took about five minutes, but I found that the party ahead of us had taken the left fork, which meant we were going right.

As we entered the dungeon, I took note of the lack of monsters. There must have already been several parties that went ahead of us to clear the place out, which meant less loot for us. But that was okay really, since our job was exploration. "Okay, let's get moving," I said. "Make sure you have teleport crystals, just in case."

The further into the dungeon we got, the more obvious what the theme was.
"Skellies," I said, turning my head to face Rissezz, "And these enemies are pretty strong, what do you think the boss will be?"
"A Skeleton," She said, "Probably a big one."
"I'm sure Astra and Rissezz can kill it," Lionelle added, "They know how how to DPS."
"Oi," Trinityy said, "Just cos you fancy both of them doesn't mean we're useless."

We came across several monsters finally, all of them skeletons of various types. Or more accurately, made of bones but in various combinations. They were tough and required teamwork, which we had as we marched through them, taking out the hordes of bones. Would have been nice if the architecture matched the style of the enemies. Walls of bones, like in the catacombs beneath Paris.

Instead it all looked like the architect and painters were on LSD.

It was tiring work, carving our way through the skeletons, but with plenty of potions, we were fine. Eventually, we found the massive stone door that led to the boss room, though we decided not to scout it ourselves, seeing as it was getting late, and all of us were aching for our beds. I sent a PM to Heathcliff, as he was the master of the largest guild, and we set off back the way we'd come.

When we rounded the next bend in the dungeon, we ended up face to face with the group from the tavern. Takashi spoke first and said "Hey there. Small world eh?"

"Where else is Aincrad's best clearing party going to be?" Rissezz asked sarcastically, while Ricx hugged Tavi from the side.

"Looks like fate brought us together, huh? Or you really, really wanna kiss me."

"Don't get your hopes up," I said, pushing the guy away from me, politely at least. "We got reports that the dungeon was found, figured we'd explore it. Same with you?"

This time, Lionelle spoke while Ricx allowed himself to be pushed.
"Yep," He said, "The boss room's back that way, but we didn't go in."

"I see," Tavi said. "Well, we've got useful map data to share now, so we should probably call it a day and head back. Send scouts to the room later to get an idea of the boss."

"You're welcome to come home with me," Ricx said, "I'm sure these guys won't mind."
As he spoke, I was already taking out my teleport crystal. I was exhausted, and tomorrow there would be a raid meeting.

"Seriously the flirting was funny the first time, now it's just getting old," I said, glowering at Ricx. "So I appreciate the thought, but stop it. Now, please."

"Rejected again, lover-boy." Rissezz laughed, thumping him on the back.
"At least I tried," He shot back, "That's more than you can say."
"Can we go now?" Lionelle yawned, looking dead on his feet, which was understandable, he'd been getting hit by monsters since we arrived.
"I'll cook us all something nice when we get home," Trinityy added, "Wanna to join us?" He said, turning to Tavi's party.

"Uh.....sure, after we report back with our guild," I said. Holding my hand out, I said "I'm Tavi, of the Demons of Razgriz guild. Pleasure."

Trinityy shook Tavi's hand, sheathing his greatsword on his back.
"I'm Trinityy. That's Riss, Ricx, Lionelle and As. We're not a guild, though."

"Aren't you the leader?" Ricx asked Tavi, "I'm sure you can put off all that boring stuff 'till after you've had something to eat. Triny's a great cook."

"Leader, yes," I said, though I grimaced. "Sadly, that also comes with responsibilities, like giving and receiving intel, giving orders.....the kind of thing that gives me headaches." Artemis elbowed me in the ribs, and I glared at her for a moment before I got the message. "Oh, this is also Artemis, Eduardo, and Takashi."

"Well, I'll get something cooked for when you get to our house," Trinityy said, "As, can you and Riss get something good for me to cook?" He asked, I nodded and tapped Ricx, asking for my money back, after the trade was done, Rissezz and I used our teleport crystals. "Our house is on floor 62, a little west of the Azincar trading post. One of us can meet you there, if you want."

"Sure," Eduardo said. "We'll see you then."

Once we reached the town, Rissezz contacted all of her information brokers about rare ingredients, and while most replied in the negative, two of them had something.
"Ragout Rabbit meat," She said, "200k, and 250k."
"We might need both," I said, "We're feeding Tavi's guild."
After meeting both of the sellers, my purse was much lighter, even if there was more stored at the house, but we had enough of the S-class meat that nobody would do without.

We left the dungeon after they did, heading back to our guild HQ. I sent some messages out, info on the dungeon plus map data, the location of the boss room. Orders for our scouts to scope the place out and see what the boss was. Messages to the other top guilds over forming raiding parties.

The headaches kept on coming.

I told Trinityy that we had the food, and since Tavi's guild hadn't arrived, we'd wait for them at the trading post.

When we were done shopping, we teleported to floor 62, waiting for Tavi and his guild next to the teleport gate at the trading post.

We were ready to move out, so the four of us headed for the meeting point. Since we were in a small rush, none of us had time to properly change, so we were all still armed for bear. Hey if the dinner was anything like the last two years in SAO, then we weren't overreacting at all.

Rissezz waved over Tavi's group when they arrived through the gate,
"You're in for a treat," She said, "Triny's cooking a little food now, and we've got some good stuff for afterwards."

The walk took about five minutes, and the smell of cooking food was wafting though our house.

It was large, a spacious living room, dining room and kitchen, along with five large bedrooms upstairs.

"Nice digs," Takashi said as we walked in, and I had to agree. Our place was bigger, but in terms of furniture and decor they had us beat.

"It'd better be," Rissezz said loudly, jumping onto one of the couches and putting her feet up, "It cost an obscene amount of money."

"I can imagine," I said. Moving to sit in an open chair, I couldn't help but look around and say "So......what is for dinner anyway?"

"Ragout Rabbit steak with a side of salad," Trinityy said, placing several plates holding some tasty looking entrées on the dining table. "The steaks'll be ready by the time you've finished these, so dig in."

"Cool," Artemis said, grabbing a spot and waiting for us. "But...but I just sat down," I said to her, to which she grinned and said "Man up. Get over here and eat."

I took something for myself, even if I didn't know what it was, I knew it tasted good. Once the entrées were done, Trinityy brought out the steaks, setting one down for everyone, himself included, and joined us at the table.
"I'm glad I got to cook something this rare," He said, "I hope you all enjoy it."

We all dug into the rabbit, and immediately my tongue decided it'd never taste anything better. It was some of the best food I had here in SAO, and I savored each bite.

We ate in relative silence, the food was that good, and as soon as I was finished, I regretted the fact that there was no more. I sighed and pushed my plate away, and most of my group did the same, everyone simply enjoying the moment for a little longer.

I couldn't stop peeking glances at one of their members, this 'As'. Her white hair hung down low, wasit length in fact, but her face and voice.....seemed strikingly familiar. "Excuse me, As? Have we met before?"

"I was in the raid against Laughing Coffin," I said, "I remember seeing you there as well."

"Not sure I remember your face, just your voice," I said. "Which member were you?"

"I stopped XaXa from stabbing you." I answered,

"So that was his name," I said. "Thanks, never got a chance to properly thank you for that."

"Don't worry about it," I said, taking a water bottle out of my inventory and taking a sip, "I'd have done it for anyone."

"Well yeah but I can still say thanks," I said. "Sorry, it's just thought you reminded me of an old friend..."

"Well, now that dinner's finished..." Trinityy said after a moment of silence, "I suppose you'd all like to get some rest? You're probably going to be at the raid meeting tomorrow."

"Most likely," Artemis said, standing up before us. "Well if we don't show up then it's gonna look like our guild is slacking and really, we can't have that," I joked, joining her. Eduardo and Takashi joined us, with Eduardo saying "Thanks for the meal."

"Thanks for the kiss," Ricx said, winking and leaning back on his chair, "We don't get involved in scouting boss rooms, we save that stuff for you guilds. We probably won't see you until the raid."

"Good, means you stayed alive long enough for it," Takashi said with a small grin. We made our way to the door, and I was the last one out, still looking at the white haired one. "Still feel like I know you from somewhere else.....oh well." And I left.

"So," Ricx said, his annoying grin across his face, "Was that your ex?" I didn't respond, though Rissezz told him shut up, and he did.
I need to tell them. I thought, the only person who knew about what I'd done here was Rissezz, and they were my friends. They, at the very least, deserved to know.

So I told them all everything. Banshee, Laughing Coffin, selling everyone out, and why Tavi thought he'd known me. When I'd finished, everyone was silent. Ricx was the first to make any noise as he stood up and walked to his room, the screech of the chair being pushed back shattering the silence. I didn't blame him, I'd have done the same thing. Then Trinityy spoke.
"It doesn't matter to me," He said, "Since I've known you, you've been one of the best people I've ever met."
"Yeah," Lionelle added, "We'd be dead if it weren't for you."

I couldn't be glad, though, seeing as Ricx hadn't even wanted to look at me after finding out.

The next day, we all got a message that sent some alarm: the scouts that went into the boss room.....didn't come out. In all likelihood, they were dead. Two of them were my own scouts from our guild, and I ordered them there. Did I send them to die? I did, didn't I? For a moment I considered curling up in my room, letting the darkness swallow me but I plowed through the guilt, replacing it with anger for whatever killed them. A new message went out across the guilds, to form a raiding party for the boss room. The guilds Knights of the Blood, Holy Dragon, Aincrad Liberation, and Demons of Razgriz all answered the call.

We were among the players to arrive at the raid meeting, where, as usual, the Knights of Blood's sub-leaders were arguing with the DDA. None of us had said a word, apart from the confirmation about the missing scouts.

Artemis, Eduardo, Takashi and I, plus ten of our best guild members, arrived to the meeting. I grimaced at the arguing between the Knights of the Blood and the Dragons, so I walked over to them and shouted "Hey, you want to stop your stupid arguing and get to planning out this raid?"