SAO Remastered (Closed for Lucian_Devine)

[Poprockz]

"Yeah..." Her own words drifted off as she too observed the party.

In truth, the party and joviality of the crowd wasn't something that lulled her into a false sense of ease. Conventions? Release parties? She didn't have time for that sort of thing. Maybe that wasn't quite true... She did technically have time to do them, but she lacked the interest and energy for it. Going alone sounded too intimidating, and going with friends was an impossibility. The two of them (she and the friend she did have) were lucky if they could align their schedules to see each other for more than a coffee or dinner every now and then.

There was also the crushing tiredness to contend with- that lack of energy that sapped her will to do much beyond cook for herself, keep her apartment clean, work, and watch her shows. Even those few things were a struggle sometimes.

She was lucky to be able to go to the arcade and blow off some steam. At least there she had tangible scores and such to remind her that she had actually accomplished something, even if it was the highest score on a zombie-shooting game.

Her life outside the game wasn't that great, but there were parts of it she treasured. Like the moments when her cat was being adorable, or the satisfying feeling of improving a game score... The occasional funny video she might come across.

The alcohol seemed to be affecting her, she figured, as she felt the urge to join them. It was funny how one could want something that they were also terrified of.

Her gaze eventually drifted to back to her own drink.

"Even in times of war, people manage to find ways and reasons to celebrate. I think... even if getting out of the game is possible, it's so far away that people need something to focus on in between now and then. Islands of normal life before they finally reach the mainland."

 

[Lucian_Devine]

"So true..." Zeke started, lifting his freshly filled wine glass as he let his own gaze drift back over to his companion. "With so much time having passed...and no progress having been made...people need any opportunity to celebrate that they can get. He absentmindedly swirled his wine glass in his hand as he let his mind wander a bit. "Hopefully though...after tomorrow though, we can give them something to truly celebrate." He gave her a smile as he lifted his glass in a silent cheers. Even as he did so though, he couldn't help but think what would happen if they failed. It was one thing to not be able to celebrate because they hadn't even found the boss. It was something completely different to have a raid party made up of some of the strongest players all fail and potentially die. He couldn't imagine the kind of depression spiral that might follow if that happened, or how long it would take to train up the next batch to replace those that had been lost...morale was already in a pretty tenuous place, such a loss would be devastating.

Zeke lifted his glass to his lips and started to down it straight up. He would have downed it all, and in fact, he got halfway there, when the waitress arrived with their desserts and drinks of choice. The aura changing color made him stop drinking, and the motion, plus the alcohol in his system, made his head spin a bit as he set his glass down. His eyes couldn't help but light up when he saw the plates on the tray the waitress carried.

"The crème bastarde..." The woman said, setting Parsley's dessert down and sliding it towards her. Zeke saw the bits of fruit peaking out from beneath the custard, with a veritable mountain of cream on top of both of them. "..and the flampoints..." She set his plate down, and slid it in place before him. It was tough for him to tell which of the two desserts was the more impressive-looking of the two, between the mountain of cream on top of Parsleys, that looked like it could topple at any moment, but somehow didn't, or the flame-like pieces of pastry atop his, set in a star pattern. What he did know though, is that he couldn't wait to get his fork into his, and hopefully steal a bite of hers as well. "...and of course the drinks." The waitress said, placing the large mug down in front of Parsley, and the wine in front of him, turning and walking away once more. Each dessert of course came with a fresh fork, lest the flavors be tainted by the flavors of the dinner, and he didn't hesitate to pick his up, slide it effortlessly through the tart dessert, and lift it to his lips. His eyes closed as the flavors exploded in his mouth, all of his other senses lost to him. It was so sweet and savory, yet not overpoweringly so. Somewhere in the back of his mind, his left hand found it within itself to reach for his wine glass and lift it as he chewed, and when he lifted it to his lips, an audible sigh slipped from him as the flavors blended and amplified each other. His back sagged against the booth, letting out a heavy sigh as his hand with the fork finally lowered and he lowered the glass of wine back to the table. He knew that he should be embarrassed or ashamed, but he somehow couldn't find it within himself to be so.

"It really is a shame..." Zeke said at last, opening his eyes, lifting his fork, and scooping up another forkful. "Flavors like that being accessible to the masses is like a gift from the gods...but now the technology might never see the light of day again...all because of one man's greed." He was torn then on what to do with said forkful of dessert, but only for a moment before turning and offering it to Parsley. "Would you like to try a bite?"