[center][color=darkgreen][h1]Linkle and Din[/h1][/color][/center] [center][color=darkgreen][b] Level 7[/b][/color] - (22/70) + 3 [color=darkgreen][b]Location:[/b][/color] Lumbridge ~ Guild Hall ---> Blacksmith ---> Mao Mart ---> Mina's Diner [color=darkgreen][b]Word Count: 2829 [/b][/color] Collab with [@Lugubrious] [/center] [hr] As everyone started to split up Linkle was eager to get good and prepared, face the challenge of Galeem’s champion, and free another chunk of the world. Before that, though, there was something important she had to do. There was something that she’d have to be an absolute idiot to not notice. “C’mon.” she said cheerfully, grabbing Din’s hand and practically pulling the other girl to the door. “Let’s go see what they’ve got for sale around here.” However, as they cleared the door and went further up the street the pep in Linkles step seemed to lose a bit of its energy. She slowed down when they were away from the others, a slightly more serious look on her face. She looked at Din hesitantly, like she was trying to come up with something to say, before finally deciding to keep it simple. “Are you okay?” The dancer looked more than a little embarrassed, given the recent history between the two, but her smile was genuine. “Yeah. I’m alright. It’s been...tumultuous. But I’m okay.” “What happened?” Linkle asked. “Did somebody get you, or…?” Din slowly shook her head. “No...it’s hard to really say what happened. It’s all fuzzy. But I was feeling really down, pretty near despair, and I just...let go. Like I was fighting to stay awake, but stopped resisting and fell asleep. And this world…” Her face hardening, Din looked up to the sky. She gazed across hill and dale, moor and mountain, to where the Lord of Light floated above it all. “It’s one big, fluffy bed. It’s [i]his[/i] world. His earth, his sky, his sun...and we’re all fighting to stay awake.” After taking a deep breath, eyes closed, she turned to look at Linkle again. The faintest hint of tears welled up in the ducts of her eyes. “We must not lose hope,” she affirmed. “I’m sorry for letting you down...but it won’t happen again.” When she looked at Linkle she saw, just for a moment, an emotion Linkle didn’t like showing anyone. It wasn’t panic, or the sort of jittery energy that Linkle showed when she was worried about someone. What crossed her face was cold fear at the process Din had just described. The whole world was one big fluffy bed. That thought, for the first time, made her afraid of Galeem. What it had done wasn’t something you could fight like a monster. “I think she tried to do the same thing to me.” she said slowly. She turned her head upward to look at the shining sun. “She showed me things, in my sleep and I…” she stopped, shaking her head. “I think I was this close to getting pulled into it.” She put her hands on Din's shoulder. “So you don’t have anything to apologize for. If you were feeling down and I didn’t notice I should be the one apologizing to you.” She suddenly yelped, remembering last night. She pulled the wallet off her hip and presented it to Din. “I also mugged you!” she said, the typical jittery worry replacing the fear on her face. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I am so sorry.” Din laughed. “No worries. You can use it better than me.” She pulled Linkle close in a hug, rubbing her head and ears like she might a little sister.. “And you have nothing to apologize for, either. We’re both just trying to make sense of this...this nonsense hand we’ve been dealt. And we’ve learned something important going forward.” Linkle couldn't help but giggle a bit, a combination of relief and a tickle in her ears. Then she pulled away and patted both her cheeks a couple times to put her hero face back on. “Yosh!” she said, looking up and confident as ever. “What do you say we spend it together and get some stuff to really hurt Galeem! I was gonna go see that blacksmith first. We can probably get them to look at your staff while we’re at it.” With that Linkle led her over to the blacksmith's building. “Heloooooo?” she called out as she stepped in. A blonde-haired head leaned out from behind a corner. “Oh, hey!” At the sight of the heroines, [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/dragalialost_gamepedia_en/thumb/3/31/110263_01_r05_portrait.png/450px-110263_01_r05_portrait.png?version=5b3310e525e7299cf23f6b9a300937e9]Ramona[/url] stepped away from her forge to wave hello with a giant, thickly-padded mitt. “Wow, a sylvan? In our shop? Word must really be getting out!” After another moment another of the Sisters of the Anvil made herself known, her manner not nearly as exuberant as Ramona’s. “What can we do for you?” asked [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/dragalialost_gamepedia_en/thumb/a/a3/110264_01_r05_portrait.png/450px-110264_01_r05_portrait.png?version=44de24e884b658945a4b767f21ca0f7d]Rena[/url], her hands clasped in front of her. “Oh, are you guys friends with Euden?” Linkle asked before anything else. “That’s what he called me. Sorry to disappoint you, I’m just a plain old Hylian.” “Huh?” Exclaimed Ramona with raised eyebrows. “But then…?” Rena quickly spoke up. “We beg your pardon. And, ah, yes, we know Prince Euden. Before this all got started, we served at his halidom.” “Awesome! That’s really reassuring.” Linkle said, pulling out her crossbows and giving them a twirl. She had no idea what a Halidom was but as far as she was concerned it meant these girls came recommended by Euden himself. She flipped the bows around and handed them over by the hilts. “I was hoping you guys could look at these before we went to fight the G rank. Since we all got transported here they haven't had the ‘umph” they used too. I’m not sure what’s wrong.” The smiths accepted the crossbows, taking one each. It did not take long to identify the problem. “Well, it looks like they’ve been takin’ tremendous wear,” Ramona remarked. “Stretchin’, warpin’, loosenin’. I’m havin’ trouble deciding if the wood’s been singed or frozen.” “Both.” Linkle said quickly. “We can replace the strings, repair the wood, and reinforce it. Should hold up better and for longer,” Rena said. Linkle thought about it. “You’re incredible. No one back home could even take a guess about how they worked. Just be careful, I don’t know what part makes them shoot forever.” “Probably an enchantment in the wood,” Rena remarked, more as an aside to Ramona than anything. “And I’ll be able to hurt turtle shells and metal and stuff?” Linkle asked. The question was a little confusing and not professionally-worded, but Rena took a stab at it. “What you can damage with them is mostly a function of the bolts you use. What do you shoot with them?” Linkle took one of the crossbows back briefly, put her shield on the floor, and fired a bolt into it. It was honestly more of an arrow than a crossbow bolt, with a long wooden shaft and a broad metal tip with some blue feathers fletched into the back for balance. She yanked the arrow out of the shield and handed both it and the crossbow to Rena. “Those. I can make them come out with a bomb on the end too but those come out slower.” Rena accepted the crossbow and, while she dealt with her incredulity at Linkle damaging her own equipment for a test, let Ramona respond. “Those aren’t really bolts. They’re shorter and don’t have broad tips. We [i]could[/i] whip up some aluminum ones, with Light Metal heads that could pack more punch, but they wouldn’t be infinite and I got no clue how to change what the crossbows shoot.” “I get it. Thanks anyway.” Linkle said, throwing the spider shield back onto her back. I looked like she’d need to find someone who could figure out how the crossbows worked if she wanted to improve their power. She added it to The List. “They’ll feel better when they’re good as new, at least. They probably haven't had a tune up in literally ages.” Din stepped forward. “Could you look at this, too? Any way to make it better?” Instead of her staff, she offered her keyblade, the strange-looking club-wand supposedly crafted from her heart by the Master of Masters. Rena narrowed her eyes, handling the weapon carefully. She turned it over and over, examining its structure. “Well...I must admit, I don’t know how it could hold up so well if you actually hit things with this, but with some of the ore brought back by Tora and Bowser we could make it a bit stronger.” Pleased, Din gave a bright smile. “Sure, that sounds great!” “You’re gonna use the thing the Master gave you?” Linkle asked, curious. Din nodded. “It’s really useful. Plus, it came from my heart. I don’t know what that means, but it makes it seem important, right?” Linkle nodded vigorously. “That makes sense. Maybe it gets stronger as you get stronger?” She turned back to the blacksmith girls. “So, what do we owe you?” Ramona gave a shrug, addressing Linkle. “Well, according to your quest rewards, you get a free service in most shops in town. For you, though…” she looked at Din. “It’ll be eighty rupees. Or gold, or zenny. It’s tough keeping track of all the currencies, huh?” After a semi-nervous chuckle Din glanced at Linkle. “Er...might need a little from that bag after all.” “No problem!” Linkle said, whipping out the wallet. Eighty Zennies was no object, especially now. Linkle hadn’t realized that the free service thing counted for more than one shop, or even more than just one job. She laid down eighty of the weird golden coins on the shop counter. Giving up a little actually reminded her of something. “Actually, do you guys buy stuff too?” She said, taking out the Bwaa Blaster. “I don’t really use this anymore, but it was pretty useful for a bit. There’s something in it where if the shot hits somebody it makes them go bouncing around, but I can’t get it to work all the time.” Ramona thought about that. “We could buy it, sure. Sounds like it’s an item that has a random chance to it. There’s a whole bunch of items and weapons that have a chance to do something or other, so using it’s like rolling the dice.” She took the Bwaa Blaster and looked it over, trying to figure out how it worked. “To better use...stuff like that...either improve your luck, get something that increases ‘status’, or just increase the fire rate. More shots means more chances, after all. But this is too...well, advanced for us to work with, really.” Aiming at a solid section of stone wall, she fired the blaster and noted the damage it did. Then she tried again, hammering the trigger until she got out a second shot. “Neat. The shot doesn’t drop off like an arrow, flying straight like some spells. But the fire rate’s really low and it’s not that strong.” She shrugged. “Basically, a better-than-nothing weapon, best for a novice. I’ll take twenty rupees off the price of your repairs for it.” Linkle took back twenty of those gold Z coins. “Thank’s a lot.” She moved her hips around a little. That had freed up a little space. She turned back to Din. “You want anything else from here? If not I was gonna go look for a bag next.” After a moment of trying Din couldn’t think of anything. “No, I think that’s all. I was thinking I’d do some more dancing before we set off again, though. See you in a bit?” “Sure, see you in a bit.” Linkle said. She waved at the girl as she walked away. “There’s still stuff I’ve gotta do, can I come back for those in a couple of hours?” She asked the blacksmiths. Ramona nodded, smiling. “Sure thing!” “All right!” Linkle said, stepping out the door. “See you before we leave.” [hr] Linkle wandered the streets for a while, looking around for something like the village's old general store, before finding herself in front of the Malo Mart. Figuring this looked like the place she stepped inside and gawked at how bright and colorful the inside of the place was. It seemed like a rich place, especially compared to the rustic decoration she used too. She approached the counter, still looking in semi-shock around the room. “Hello?” she asked. “Hey.” A little voice came from behind the counter. When Linkle looked she found a [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/zelda_gamepedia_en/thumb/a/a8/TP_Malo_Render.png/225px-TP_Malo_Render.png?version=97643eb80ab62be3ab68fdf8ba99070a]young child[/url], almost an infant, standing on a stool. He stared at her, emotionless, unwavering, almost unblinking. “...Buy something.” “Uhhhhh…,” Linkle went. This baby was very intimidating. “Yeah, I’d like a bag or maybe a couple of pouches I could strap to my belt and green potion if you have some annnnnd…” Linkle looked around the room, searching for anything else that seemed useful or would pique her interest. Malo pointed at the various items where they lay on the shelves. There was a sturdy-looking greenish-brown sack, maybe made of hide, and two soft cases pouches. A small selection of potions, mostly health and mana pots of a variety of styles, sat on the left side of the main counter. “You can take them after you pay me.” He noted her continued searching, looking for anything unique. He pointed a little sausage finger at a shelf in the corner. On it rested a number of distinct items, like an [url=https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/apps/dota2/images/items/branches_lg.png?3]iron branch[/url], a [url=https://bloodstainedritualofthenight.wiki.fextralife.com/file/Bloodstained-Ritual-of-The-Night/feather.png]feather crown[/url], a [url=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/FAFDrVoeKq-XQXqQv7xfvz9LNznMDBGoHnMYfHkrExpk0tJOYvjFvnlyVQhuXIYT2VAGlYbo5fjM3Md6em0WpORrK_FlYSlZpc-7BEXd0HAe9g7gTA]beetle[/url], and above them all, the [url=https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/apps/dota2/images/items/desolator_lg.png]Desolator[/url]. “For adventurers with extra money,” he explained succinctly. “What do they do?” Linkle asked. Malo blinked at her. “Read the labels.” [center] [hider=Malo's Special Offers] [i][url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/odinsphere/images/f/fb/Moon_Pendant.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20080505174108]Moon Pendant[/url] - increases HP by 5% [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/dota2_gamepedia/a/a3/Iron_Branch_icon.png?version=cb287216366763f019f6ffc10fc7ff71]Iron Branch[/url] - Targets the ground to plant a happy little tree that lasts 20 seconds [url=https://bloodstainedritualofthenight.wiki.fextralife.com/file/Bloodstained-Ritual-of-The-Night/feather.png]Feather Crown[/url] - A hair accessory adorned with beautiful plumage. 5 def, 2 str, 3 mnd [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/zelda/images/1/15/Beetle_%28Skyward_Sword%29.png/revision/latest?cb=20120325183633]Beetle[/url] - A remote-controlled item shaped like a little bug, Link used this item in his adventures to collect far-off items White Verona - Eating this flower will permanently increase your resistance to magic, but not by much [url=https://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/file/Dark-Souls-3/carthus_milkring.png]Carthus Milkring[/url] - Ring worn by the warriors of the sand kingdom, Carthus. Slightly boosts dexterity and obscures the wearer while rolling. The sword technique of Carthus allows for fluid movement with a curved sword. Masters of the technique are said to dazzle their opponents by moving as weightlessly as a grain of sand. They live for their High Lord Wolnir, conqueror of most kingdoms known to their people [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/dota2_gamepedia/8/84/Desolator_icon.png?version=7822a143bd38973e14b7e79839aa747e]Desolator[/url] - While possessing this, your attacks decrease enemy armor by 6 each for 7 seconds[/i] [/hider] [/center] Linkle looked up from the last label. This evil looking scythe was [i]exactly[/i] what she needed, but it was also an incredible evil looking scythe. The Carthus ring tempted her slightly, what with all the diving she typically did, but she decided against it while keeping in mind that short history it came with in case they ever met these sand kingdom warriors. No, there were really only two things that caught her eye. “If I got the pouches, the bag, two bottles of that green potion over there, the Feather and this Beetle how much would that cost?” She asked. The baby did some quick maths. “Four hundred and thirty,” he said. Linkle pulled out over half the Zennies she had left, counted them out, and gave them to the baby before setting out to collect her purchases. She took the pouches first, slotting them into her belt and doing some quick re-organizing. The pokeballs she had came out of her boots and went into one of them, her remaining arrows for the bow went into the other. The heavy boots she had went into the sack she’d picked up, along with the Feather Crown. The beetle, a relic of a legendary hero she’d never even heard of, latched snug as a bug onto her left wrist with its legs. She looked it over, being overtaken by a delighted little shutter. Then she went over to the potions. She filled the bottle she’d gotten from the marauding kart with the green liquid and immediately downed it before filling the bottle again and adding it to the pokeball pouch. She could already feel it boiling in her chest, the pressure of an incredible power waiting to be unleashed. It felt filling. That monster wasn’t going to know what hit it! “Thanks a lot.” She said, trying not to meet the boy's unblinking gaze. She took her leave of the bright shop and its scary baby, sack bouncing over her shoulder. She didn’t think she could carry this bag around everywhere, but luckily she had a friend that could probably do that for her. She felt a rumble in her belly at that point. That reminded her, she hadn’t had breakfast. Well, so long as the facilities were free it wouldn't hurt to get a full stomach before going monster slaying. She headed for Mina’s, mostly because it was the only place in town she knew but also because she had a hunch the woman could tell her what Chochobo’s liked to eat. She’d have to stock up on that stuff too.