Another Dream submission! It's 1543 words apparently so less than half of my last entry, but that was my goal - something a lot smaller and easier to digest. My next goal is something in between these two entries, but I might skip out on the next few events depending on what's going on. The Xmas-New Year's-Valentine holiday gauntlet is usually pretty busy for me. Still, cheers! Can't wait to read everyone's entries!

[hider=it's just a cutesy date]
[quote]A Hunter's Heart Event[/quote]
[i]Thunk. Thunk. Thunk![/i]

Arrows whizzed through the air, finding their home sunk deep into the wood of painted targets. The archery range in Lumbridge was usually busy, but during tournaments it was particularly bustling. Just such a tournament was currently being held within the Ace Cadet’s dreamscape, himself a finalist alongside two other young men. One of the competitors, [url=https://cdn.imgbin.com/1/20/20/imgbin-link-s-crossbow-training-the-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess-hd-the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-wii-the-legend-of-zelda-TqKjmkGbmfi3jyDZY1qGVFpa4.jpg]a blonde[/url] commonly seen around the village had just finished shooting, and though he said nothing he gave the Cadet and the [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/t__/images/2/21/Wander_holding_the_Ancient_Bow.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180209000714&path-prefix=teamico]other finalist[/url] a good-natured smile.

[color=salmon]”Pretty good,”[/color] the Cadet admitted with a grin. He nodded to the other men as the colossi slayer stepped up to take his turn. There were whistles and cheers from the crowd gathered to watch, plenty of food to eat as the competitors awaited their turns, and it was a beautiful day. What more could one ask for?

As the hunter awaited his go at the targets, weighing his skill against the others and looking over the impressive medal for the winner, he thought, [i]what a nice dream this is![/i]

A dream, yes. There were times when one couldn’t tell a dream from reality while asleep, but there were others when the dreamer was well aware that the fantasy they were living in was too good to be true. Now was such a time for Cadet, who’d always been pretty good at telling. After all, he’d since left Lumbridge with the heroic group he’d been accepted into, and usually when his dreams were coherent they were of completely unfamiliar places, or extremely familiar ones. The town of Lumbridge was neither, but it was a pleasant dream so far, so the Cadet let himself enjoy it.

He could feel the warm sunlight on his skin as the [i]thunk thunk thunk[/i] of Wander’s arrows wedged themselves closely around the bullseye. The crowd cheered and the hunter let out an impressed whistle. The other red head and Link were fierce competition! 

The audience’s cries turned from congratulatory into encouragement as the red head hunter stepped up onto the platform. His own [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/monsterhunter/images/c/c5/2ndGen-Bow_Equipment_Render_001.png/revision/latest?cb=20140401075510]massive bow[/url] made of glimmering green rathian scales was at his side. He gave the crowd a little wave before he raised the bow to take aim. Before he even fired he knew he would win, because that was the nature of the dream… but damn if it didn’t still feel good.

The crowd rose up and screamed in delight as all three of the Cadet’s arrows sunk themselves into the bullseye, splitting each other apart. Ace Cadet was skilled, it was possible he may have won such a competition on his own merit, and that thought kept any feelings of guilt from his mind as he reveled in victory. 

“Congratulations!”

“Nice job!”

“I’ve always been a fan!”

Cadet let the voices wash over him and he responded in kind, swiveling and bowing in the direction of the audience. An [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/animalcrossingmaster/images/0/03/Tortimer.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100131014403]elderly tortoise[/url], the one who enjoyed putting on these events, waddled up to the winner with a bouquet and medal in hand.

[b]”Good job, whippersnapper!”[/b] he chuckled, handing over the first place prizes.

[color=salmon]”Aw, thanks oldtimer!”[/color] Cadet laughed, taking ribbing in stride. Cheers followed as he made his way from the range. He had a plan in mind that he wanted to put into action.

The room he’d had at one of the local inns still remained in his dream, though on the inside it was [url=https://cdn.holdtoreset.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/06202034/How-to-Decorate-Your-Room-in-Monster-Hunter-World-Iceborne.jpg]a lot nicer[/url] than he remembered. Cadet set the bouquet down on a table before tossing the medal onto the bed and dropping himself down beside it. [i]Phew[/i]. He laid sprawled out on the bed for a few minutes thinking. [i]Should I change out of my armor? Do I even own any nice clothes? The armor makes me look tough though - well, even tougher than I already [b]am[/b]. Hmmm… ah, screw it.[/i]

He sprang up to get going only to come face to face with a [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/dokapon/images/c/cc/Angelo_Kingdom.png/revision/latest?cb=20180107035051]little flying kid.[/url] Cadet startled and fell backwards, landing back on the cushy mattress. He hadn’t expected a visitor at all.

[color=salmon]”Oh my [i]Wrog[/i], dude! You know this is a private room, right?”[/color]

The little angel giggled. [b]”No need worry! My name is Angelo! I came ‘cause you spun three of the same number in a row!”[/b]

[color=salmon]”...uh, what?”[/color]

[b]”You~~ oh wait, hold on,”[/b] Angelo dug a small parchment out of his robe before continuing, [b]”sorry, you hit the [i]same space[/i] three times in a row. Now I’m here to give you an item!”[/b] 

[color=salmon]”Oh. Thanks?”[/color] Cadet stood again, rubbing the back of his neck as Angelo swung his little wand around.

[b]”Ta-[i]daaaaaa~![/i]”[/b] with a flourish and a [i]poof[/i] of white smoke, a delicate [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/hmwikia/images/9/9b/HM64_bfeather_clear.png/revision/latest?cb=20130203034316]blue feather[/url] appeared. It floated gently down into Angelo’s hand, and the sprite presented it cheerfully to Ace Cadet. [b]”Here ya go!”[/b]

The Cadet took it, turning it over to inspect it. From what he could see, it was just a normal feather. Pretty, sure. A single feather couldn’t really be all the useful though.

[color=salmon]”What is it?”[/color] he asked, and the angel giggled again. 

[b]”A Blue Feather, duh. Try giving it to someone you like!”[/b]

The Cadet’s head snapped up, a light blush on his cheeks, but the angel disappeared in a puff of smoke. [i]How did he know I was…?[/i] The hunter looked back down at the feather in his hand. He tucked it away safely in his leathers, deciding to leave his armor on he headed for the door, exiting the room with a singular goal in mind.

...then immediately reentered and grabbed the colorful bouquet. [color=salmon]”Can’t forget this!”[/color]

Flowers in hand, the Cadet made his way toward the Guild Hall. Unsurprisingly, he was looking for a date with the Guildmarm. He patiently waited outside for the object of his affections’ shift to end. She did the bulk of work at the Guild Hall, but even she took the night off sometimes. Eventually the marm appeared, hurrying outside for a chance to unwind, and the Cadet swooped in presenting her with the bouquet.

[color=salmon]”Hello beautiful,”[/color] he said with a suave smile. Usually at this point she would brush him off and head home alone, but today in this wonderful dream she paused and returned his smile. The sight made his heart leap, and for the moment he forgot this wasn’t real.

[b]”Thank you, they’re lovely,”[/b] the Guildmarm sighed. She held the flowers up to her face and sniffed them. Her smile remained on her face as she turned her eyes back toward the Cadet. [b]”Where are you off to now?”[/b]

[color=salmon]”Actually I was hoping you’d, um, join me for something to eat?”[/color] 

[i]Real smooth,[/i] Ace Cadet inwardly winced, but to his joy the woman before him smiled even wider and nodded. 

[b]”What, no large monster hunts this time? Well, I’d be happy to.”[/b]

[color=salmon]”Great!”[/color] Cadet exclaimed, taking the Guildmarm’s hands in his. She let out a surprised laugh, shifting the bouquet into the crook of her arm. [color=salmon]”Let’s go!”[/color]

The pair made their way to one of the several eateries in town, a [url=https://www.imore.com/sites/imore.com/files/styles/w830/public/field/image/2019/11/battle_cafe_.jpg?itok=87784pze]rowdy establishment[/url] but with sweets good enough to sate both of their sweet tooths. Inside, people pit their little pets against each other. It made for nice entertainment as the pair ordered and sat down at a little tablet against the wall.

They sat in silence for the first few minutes, enjoying the food and the battles, and though the Cadet was itching to say something he didn’t want to ruin the moment. Earlier in the day, he’d had complete control over his dream, but the shock of the Guildmarm actually reciprocating his feelings had taken over his thoughts, and he fell hard into the illusion. 

[b]”What is it?”[/b] the Guildmarm asked, tucking her dark hair behind her ear. She fidgeted under the Cadet’s stare and he smiled at her cheekily. [color=salmon]”Just thinkin’ about how cute you are.”[/color]

[b][i]”Hey,”[/i][/b] she warned, but even the cup she brought to her lips couldn’t hide her smile. The Cadet chuckled and leaned back in his chair.

[color=salmon]”I’m just… surprised you agreed to come. I’m really glad.”[/color]

[b]”I’m glad I came too,”[/b] his date replied, setting the glass down and gazing at the Cadet. [b]”You’re a cool guy, I know I haven’t… always treated you well, but recently I’ve been seeing you in a new light.”[/b]

[color=salmon]”Ah, this is too good to be true,”[/color] the hunter sighed, and a chuckle from across the table made him flush. [color=salmon]”Uh, I didn’t say that outloud did I?”[/color]

The pair continued their chat, and every kind word from the Guildmarm made the Cadet’s heart flutter. As the hour got later, he thought about the feather tucked away in his armor. Without a second thought he pulled it out, and when the marm’s eyes landed on it they sparkled.

[b]”Oh, it’s so beautiful!”[/b]

[color=salmon]”It’s for you! Beautiful feather for a beautiful lady.”[/color]

He held the feather out and the Guildmarm took it, her smile gentle as she twirled it between her fingers. With her other hand she reached out and took the Cadet’s, lacing their fingers together. They smiled at each other, and a thought came to Ace Cadet’s mind, that if this was a dream he didn’t want to wake up from it.[/hider]