GREY SKIES [Q/RULER]

[attr="class","pricklebear1"]Marth perked up considerably as the other teen recognized him. Locking his fingers behind his head, he shifted from one foot to the other with a curious expression. Glancing around and then to the sky, his grin only broadened.

"The one and only."

Lowering his hands, he moved to punch his upperclassmen's shoulder lightly.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," he trailed off. "Ruler."

Marth almost gaped and glanced down at the sword resting on his hip. He purchased it not too long ago from a player shop but the owner wasn't around. An NPC sold it to him in the shop owner's stead but he remembered the insignia written on it.

"You're the guy that made this sword!"

He could've fallen over at the thought of his upperclassmen hammering away at ore and taking the time to design the weapon. But it was serving a purpose nonetheless and he was grateful. Giving Ruler his thanks, he then tilted his head.

"Is it 'ruler' like the object or are you roleplaying a prince or something?"

With that, he offered a party invite to the other player and turned to start up the quest after it was accepted. The woman bowed her head in thanks and Marth gave a mock salute. Motioning for Ruler to follow him, he made his way down the street.


"Speaking of which, have you seen a girl around here named Prince?"



@ruler

[attr="class","pricklebear1"]It took him less than a second to catch onto Ruler's meaning. Marth could have jumped out of his skin. He didn't think of her in that way. Well, not at first or at all really, it was just a meeting. He saw her and probably spooked her. It was just a bit of light teasing. That was all. He didn't even know a lot about her let alone what she was doing in the game. And even if he did, his chances with her were zero to none. Just as Ruler said, she had people around her constantly who'd suit her more so than him.

A prince and a wayward swordsman.

It'd make for a good story once they were back in the real world.

"Knock it off." Marth replied though nudging his classmate with a smile.

He pocketed his hands and scanned the crowds for any sign of the cats. There were quite a few people on the street today despite the stormy skies. They'd have to find the kittens quick before it started pouring. He wasn't exactly in the mood to be wringing water out of his clothes and hanging them out to dry. It took awhile despite the clothing only being made out of ones and zeroes.

"We had a run-in for a quest and I just wanted to make sure that she's okay."

Marth turned his head slightly and caught a small glimpse of something sneaking behind a few crates that they passed by. Slowing his steps, he turned a bit and peered closer.

"You're right but I don't think she's physically fragile, but emotionally," he grumbled. "Definitely."

He approached the crates and peered behind, noticing a little kitten hiding behind them and peering out the other end. Smiling slightly, he reached for the kitten and scooped it up into his grasp. Cradling the feline close to his chest, he pulled back from behind the crates and turned to address Ruler.

"So, do you know her well or.."

Marth rubbed his neck and glanced away from the upperclassmen. It wasn't embarrassing but he didn't want to give away anything more than he already had. The charm that he kept equipped brushed against his cheek and he became slightly aware of it again. The kitten in the crook of his arm pawed at it and he rolled his eyes.

"Sorry, not for you."


@ruler

[attr="class","pricklebear1"]The kitten played with the feather while Marth walked alongside Ruler. It wasn't often that he thought this hard about the opposite gender. Heck, he didn't even think about the opposite gender very often if hte time would allow him. His friends in the real world were a combination of girls and guys, there was no difference. Sure. He had seen some people in relationships and wondered about it but he didn't have any desire to be apart of one. If it happened, it happened.

"I'm not a stalker, senpai." He said with a slight smile. "I just want to make sure that she's alright."

The look in her eyes when they stood on the mountain's summit and the way she spoke. He set the tabby cat on his shoulder and let it play with the feather as much as it wanted.

"Don't go out of your way to talk to her about me, y'know," he continued. "I doubt she'll remember me."

There were other things to worry about anyhow. News was spreading about the Labyrinth that opened and he was almost certain that the floor boss wouldn't be too far off. Marth stretched before setting his hands in his pockets. The kitten mewing and butting his head with its cheek.

"But back to you blacksmithing, what other things can you make?"


@ruler

[attr="class","pricklebear1"]The distance between himself and Prince was almost too great for him to figure out. The armor that she wore dictated someone that had a vast amount of experience in the game while he was still in the beginner wear. She was beauty and grace in one form while he was staring from far away. If what Ruler said was true, a congregation of guys would fall to her feet to give her whatever she wanted. But what did he want from her and why was he asking so many people about her to begin with.

I just want her to be safe.

He never wanted to see that look in her eyes again. He wanted to see her smile at least a little bit. To talk and laugh like friends or at least normal children who weren't stuck inside of a supposed death game. Ruler's explanation came to an end and he glanced out of the corner of his eye as his upperclassmen came close to him again with another kitten in his hands. It was black with white fur around its paws.

If this was real, I'd name you Socks.

"Well, you don't hold them like that."

He lifted Socks from Ruler's grasp and settled the kitten on his shoulder. It curled up and butted its head against the teen's cheek.

"Like that, don't move your shoulder too much and just let it relax."

They only had one more kitten to hunt down and the rain wasn't pouring. Making good time, he supposed.

"Can you make shields?"

He looked up at him and smiled.

"Shields fall under weaponry from what I heard and I already bought one of your custom swords. Would be interesting especially if we have some gallant knights running around Aincrad."


@ruler

[attr="class","pricklebear1"]Marth played with the kitten's tail as they walked. It was so cute and lifelike. He really didn't want to give it up at the end of the quest but it couldn't be avoided. So far the time being, he enjoyed the presence of the overactive feline and hummed contentedly. Ruler's questioning of his own ability caused the teen to think about it for a moment.

"If I can get you in the materials, you think that you could make me a round shield?"

He was gifted the Round Shield Proficiency for logging into the game. Probably a luxury from Kayaba or if he could peg the man correctly, it was more of a mercy. At the question of the cats, he nodded with a little smile.

"And yeah, my uncle had cats in the real world so I've gotten used to taking care of them."

The kitten decided to curl up and meow in his ear. Marth chuckled and rubbed his fingers along its head. So cute.

"If you do make it, your trademark should go on the inside."

He flashed a grin to his senpai and moved to nudge his side.

"That way, I can rep Ruler's gear."

A few raindrops fell behind the pair dotting the cobblestone. It would rain soon.


@ruler

[attr="class","pricklebear1"]Marth listened to Ruler's explanation though raising an eyebrow at him.

"Y'know, you could call me Shingen or Marth," he said. "We're not in school."

The pair came to a slow stop and Marth whistled low before glancing at the cats then Ruler.

"Alright, just stay still for a second."

Lifting the cats slowly from his shoulders, he settled them in Ruler's arms and watched as the felines turned over before resting against the other player's chest.

"Look at that you're a natural."

The kittens seemed at home in Ruler's presence and Marth gave a little thumbs up before turning to the potted plants. A mischievous little kitten was pawing at the leaves only to make a startled mew once being scooped up by the teen. Although the cat gave him a venomous glare, it melted into a soft purr as he ran his fingers over the space behind its ears. Marth cradled it in his arms and looked to Ruler.

"Kay, got 'em, let's head b—"

A few raindrops fell and Marth made the mistake of looking up to the sky. Dread washed over him as the droplets were accompanied by a sudden increasing downpour.

"Crap! Run!"

Protecting the kitten by letting it sit inside of his shirt, Marth took off running down the cobblestone road laughing all the while.


@ruler