heading to amatomnes next month :|

[beaters]

Oy, mun-sama - I'm not arguing sending me to a place where at least death isn't permanent, but --

I'm a solo player. That doesn't mean I don't have people friended. Or that someone won't friend me in this new place, too.

This island seems like nothing compared to SAO, so have more faith in my ability to get by there, okay?

Comments

[likepapa]

[Oh!! Papa's here!! Papa's going to the same place as Mama too?]

I have faith in Papa! I think you'll be fine there even if it sounds scary!

[The collars don't sound all that appealing... good thing her Mun decided that wouldn't be good for her...]

[beaters]

Ehh? Papa? [ He gives her a really odd look at that. ] I think you're confused.

[likepapa]

[Oh no, not him too!! Mama had reacted the same. Instead of allowing herself to be sad on the outside, she smiles in an attempt to be reassuring for him. It was okay that he didn't remember. She had learned since talking to Mama that this place did that sometimes.]

Ah, well... that is- you don't know me yet!! We'll meet some day and you and Mama will be very happy!! I don't know the place you are going to very well, just that maybe it won't be so scary because you'll be together.

[beaters]

Mama... [ There's a small stirring that makes him feel a little uncomfortable. Papa and Mama. There's some girl he has a daughter with out there? Who's also going to Atia? It's weird to think about, being only 15, and... well - a solo player who isn't very good with people. ] Mm. Right.

It's not that scary even if I went on my own, ah -- [ Stares. He doesn't know her name. That's awkward. ]

[likepapa]

Mm! Auna-san!! Kito-san is Papa and Auna-san is Mama!! [But of course she says their names wrong...]

[She smiles, even if every little thing he doesn't remember really hurts.] Yui! My name is Yui!

1/3

[beaters]

[ Auna-san. Au...na... Did he know an --? ]

2/3

[beaters]

[beaters]

A-Asuna?!

[ WHAT. WHAT WHAT. WHAT. ]

... Yui, are you - are you sure about that?

[likepapa]

Mm! Auna-san!

[She nods, affirming his question.]

Yes! Auna-san is Mama and Kito-san is Papa!

[Smiling, she dashes forward a few steps, wrapping her arms around one of his.]

[beaters]

[ While he doesn't yank back, he stumbles slightly from the surprise of being clung to, and mostly because he's still in shock about Asuna of all people. ]

Asuna... Mm...

[ Gulping a little, he goes to place a hand on top of Yui's head, just to make sure she doesn't think his shock is in any way a reflection of discomfort of having her near. Despite that he doesn't know who she is and it's a little strange to be called Papa, having her there is... nice, almost. Instinctively nice. ]

I... look forward to getting to meet you in the future, Yui.

[likepapa]

[Another warm smile. He isn't turning her away so that's a good sign right?]

It won't be too long, I don't think!! You'll find me!!

[You just don't know it yet.]

We'll be happy and Mama will make yummy food and we'll all do fun things together!!

[She frowns a little because while she can talk to him here, he's going somewhere without her soon.]

I'm sorry I can't be with you and Mama when you go to that other game place...

[beaters]

[ He chooses to ignore being together with "Mama" because of how much deeper it makes his blush and focuses on the latter. ]

From what it sounds like, Yui, I don't think it's a place you'd ever want to be. That we'd ever want you to be.

[likepapa]

I know... I just want to be with you and Mama...

[And it really bums her out that they don't even remember her.]

[beaters]

You -- ... You will be. I'm sure of it. There are other ways to make sure we're together.

[subleader]

You always stay aloof. Why will you be different there?

[beaters]

... I won't be. I still make friends. [ Read: they sort of thrust themselves on him and he's expecting the same from Atia. ]

[subleader]

[Her hands go to her hips, and she pushes her face closer.] You should show me your list sometime then.

[beaters]

[ Why does she always have to get so close? He gulps a little. ] I'm not giving you the opportunity to see my stats. Those - ... are private.

[subleader]

It's not looking at your stats or anything! You should just back up what your saying if you are so concerned by him thinking you can't make friends.

[beaters]

He can see my main menu, he should know already.

[subleader]

[She lets out a sigh and waves it off with her hand. Whatever his reasoning...it's really not her place.] Suit yourself then. It's not really my concern who you view as a friend.

[beaters]

Uh - y-yeah. [ Blushing for... no given reason. Thanks a lot, Yui. ]

Besides, it doesn't matter either way. Friendships don't determine survival rate.

[subleader]

[Which goes right over her head for now. Silly girl.]

No, but numbers do. And caring about someone makes it easier to help. It gives you a better reason to keep fighting.

[beaters]

[ He thinks about Sachi and feels his stomach twist. But if what Yui tells him is right, he'll have something even more important later. ]

I have fine reasons to keep fighting.

[subleader]

Do you? If you did you would probably be fighting harder at the front with us. It's not like you aren't a strong player, we could use you up there.

[beaters]

I fight plenty hard. Party members would just slow me down.

[subleader]

Your constant arguing of our method is not helpful!

[beaters]

Then learn to do it better.

[subleader]

[At first, she is trying to figure out if she even heard him right. But no...the gnawing anger in her stomach proves that she was not wrong. "Do it better"... She's practically shaking in anger at that comment.]

You don't have any idea who you are speaking to do you!? My plans have kept people alive, fight after fight!

[beaters]

... I meant your group. You're a fine player.

[ He shrugs, and if he feels at all bad for her anger, it doesn't really show. ]

I follow you into boss battles. That should be all that matters.

[subleader]

[While it's true that she does not always approve of the things her group does and she misses when they were smaller, she's still very defensive of them.]

We wouldn't be considered the best if we weren't! We have extremely strong members and you should show a little more respect to the fact that we have successfully kept many players alive. How long has it been since we lost someone to a boss? And maybe you are a good player, but you should actually try to help us get out, and that means working harder on fighting through the levels and less on focusing on your own gain!

[beaters]

[ He stiffens at those words. It's sort of the same thing as calling him a beater, just like everyone else, right? He knows she probably didn't mean it that way, but it still makes him look away from her. ]

I'm a solo player. I share information in my own way. I'm not changing for your stupid guild.

[subleader]

[The coldness is not lost on her, but she's got her feathers are ruffled and she doesn't back down immediately.]

I've never asked you to! I've just requested you offer more help to the front lines! Is that so much to ask?

[beaters]

I offer plenty of help! Just because I do it on my own time doesn't mean I'm not there!

[subleader]

[She hates arguing with him. She doesn't even understand why she gets so upset by it. Other solo players haven't gotten her this worked up. Why does he have to be so difficult?]

But we have to get out there, and as quickly as possible! We have a whole world of people to save and protect.

[beaters]

You can fight each day to protect people without giving up on living your life completely!