[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img]
[color=salmon][i]Encounter EXP +10[/i]
Word Count: 2459 (+3 exp)[/color][color=lightgray] ft. [@Lugubrious] as Aphrodite[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]6[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 54/60
[b]Location:[/b] Edge of the Blue: The Bismarck[/color][/center]
The group didn't get even a moment of silence after Cia's defeat. The red and purple spirits of the sorceress rested on the ruined patio, and over them two of the helpful strangers spoke about having to even kill Cia in the first place. Silently the Cadet had to agree with the swordsman - she was looking to kill all of them. It would be nice to save as many people as possible that were under Galeem's influence, but when under pressure from someone like that there was only so much you could do. The hunter sighed and stood up straight, rolling his shoulders and neck. The battle had become so intense so quickly, and the enclosed space was hard to fight in, but they'd manage to save their friend in the end. He'd do it again, and he told the Hylian as much when the man apologized.

[color=salmon]"It's Ya-cool, Link. Nobody would've guessed there was a super strong obsessed lady waiting for them here. We're friends, and friends help each other, right?"[/color] The Cadet offered Link an easy smile, not at all concerned about scramming before the owner or guards showed up like some of the others around them were. He did figure they'd be off soon anyway though, so the Cadet looked around at the battlefield again to see if they'd missed anything. He winced at the sight of the spirits of a few unfortunate souls caught in Cia's area of effect spells, but the only other thing on this side of the restaurant was the little figure that was once a living shadow. The hunter didn't really know what to do with it, but it seemed weird to just leave it there. He picked it up and put it in his pouch. 

Next he'd wanted to get in line for Blazermate's healing treatment, but there was no helping his curious nature, so before that the Cadet moved around to peek at the orbs Link pointed out. They sort of did look like spirits, which he assumed was what the Hylian was referring to when he said 'spirit orb.' While Link was content to snap a photo, Cadet reached out. He hadn't seen anything that looked like a heart or trident at the restaurant... but then again, the battle had gotten pretty hectic. The bold and bright pink colored orb was the one that caught his attention most, and he scooped that one up to give it a closer look.

[hider=A Vision?]Instantly there came a loud, clear note, as if sounded out from a great bell, and pink light surged from the orb to fill the Cadet's vision. A strange energy washed over him, a sort of intense perking-up, and from the radiance he could make out an increasingly distinct form. In a moment he could make out the unmistakable shape of a [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/hades/images/c/c6/Aphrodite.png]beautiful woman[/url], nude except for conveniently concealing strands of lustrous pink hair, and fabulous golden adornments. Her expression was one of tantalizing coyness; her eyes gave a fascinating glimmer. Yet they seemed to look straight through the Cadet, as though he weren't there at all. "Why, hello there," she greeted in a melodic voice. "Always a pleasure to make the acquaintance of such a strapping young man. I cannot say I recognize you...but ah, I recognize the red thread of destiny at work when I see it, and I see it's connected you to one of my blessings. So allow me to give you a token of my affection...I trust you'll hold it close, and think of me during your adventures?"

[color=salmon]"Um."[/color]

The hunter had no clue what just happened, he hadn't tried to summon whatever person left the spirit behind. He wanted to look around, check if anyone else was seeing what he was seeing, but he found he couldn't look away from her. She was gorgeous, splendid, and she was definitely talking to him... right? Furthermore, those lines... was she hitting on him?!

[color=salmon]"It's, uh, nice to meet you too,"[/color] he said, doing his very best to keep his eyes firmly on her beautiful face while his own glowed a shade of pink that could rival the goddess' hair. Not normally a nervous person, the Cadet tried shaking off the surprise of the woman's sudden appearance and sweet words by giving her a smile. The expression started small, but grew quickly. He gathered that the woman wanted to help them somehow, give out gifts? Who would turn that down? So if that was that case...

[color=salmon]"I'd be happy to accept your affection!"[/color] Cadet chirped, [color=salmon]"I mean, a token. Of it. Ms...?"[/color]

"Aphrodite," the lady sang, all smiles and altogether too pleased to be having an obvious affect on him. "And oh, aren't you a flatterer. Here you are then~" Before the Cadet appeared three diamond-shaped glyphs, beneath each of which floated a length of parchment with some information on it.

[indent][i][b]Crush Shot[/b] - Grants a Cast that lets loose a wide, short-range blast that inflicts Weak (Decreases damage that an enemy deals for a short time)
[b]Passion Dash[/b] - Evasive maneuvers inflict damage in a radius where you end up, inflicting Weak
[b]Life Affirmation[/b] - Increases single-instance healing received from all sources, and the amount granted by permanent health increases[/i][/indent]
[i]Whoa, what are these?[/i] The hunter's attention shifted, a little reluctantly, from the goddess to the scrolls. These didn't seem so much like "tokens," but rather powers. So was this some kind of spirit fusion after all? Was this what it was like, an intense vision? [i]Aphrodite, is she gonna become part of me? She looks human, so what would change? It can't be that I'd get something like... like her, her che...?! Aah, I hope this won't ruin my chances with the Guildmarm![/i]

The Cadet shook his head and let out a puff of air from his nostrils, realizing he'd been holding it while his thoughts were busy rushing around his head. If something crazy happened, he could just ask Peach to reverse it. He refocused on the glyphs in front of him. More healing was never a bad thing, but his armor was built with improved healing in mind already. Between evasion and offense, there was one that the Cadet preferred despite having a tenuous guess as to what a cast was, so he gestured to the first one in the line: Crush Shot.

[color=salmon]"This one sounds right up my alley."[/color]

As he made his choice, the glyph zipped right into him, but neither kaleidoscopic light nor ensuing changes occurred. He remained exactly the same, if a little elated. Aphrodite beamed, even as the other choices disappeared without a trace. "Ready to break some hearts!" she encouraged him. "Our powers are a match made on Olympus, I'm sure! If the Fates agree, you'll run into more blessings out there, so give me a call again sometime, mmm?"

He didn't know what an Olympus was, but the Cadet nodded enthusiastically all the same. His heart fluttered with her words and he returned her smile twofold. He'd found her enchanting before, but now with her power bestowed she was even more so. Not the in dark way that the sorceress they'd just defeated was, but brighter, deeper. The feeling brought an image of Val Habar to his mind, the place where he'd first met a certain someone. It was nice. If what Aphrodite said was true, he was very much looking forward to finding another of her 'blessings.'

[color=salmon]"Thank you, I will!"[/color] He told her.[/hider]
And just like that, the vision disappeared. The Cadet found himself exactly where he left, with nothing outwardly different, and nobody so much as moved. The pink orb was gone without a trace. Some trickery of time, space, or illusion had seemingly confined the whole experience to a single instant. And yet there lay within him a certain warmness, a sort of lingering intensity that felt as though it could be tapped into, like a surge of passion. The hunter looked down and touched at his chest piece as if he could grasp the feeling. His hands felt around the metal and scales, then made their way up to the shaved sides of his head. He hadn't physically changed within the vision, and now confirmed that he hadn't outside of it either. That was a relief. The experience left the Cadet in a bit of a confused daze for a few seconds, but if the warmth in his body wasn't proof enough it was real, then the absence of the pink orb was. He eyed the other orb, the one with the blue-green trident inside. It was the same type of thing, so it would trigger another vision if touched... right? If it bestowed power he'd better not take it without consulting everyone else, the first one being a happy accident. Cadet raised his arm to wave the others down to tell them about the mysterious things, but at that point a very unhappy restaurant owner and Limsa's admiral herself appeared.

As always, this kind of thing was better left to the more diplomatic members of their party. The Cadet crossed his arms, looking between Frog offering to pay damages to the owner, and Geralt explaining the situation at large to the admiral while the others did their own thing, keeping out of the way. The conversation was tense for a long while, but heroes were convincing. The admiral came to understand, and with Peach being generous with her coffers the other civilians did as well. [i]All's well that ends well, that's the saying, right?[/i]

[color=salmon]"Some of you have a real way with words,"[/color] Ace Cadet said, and followed along quickly as the lot of them moved on to another venue. He felt a nudge and looked to his side at the cat girl, who freely gave her name. Up close she looked pretty tough, and there were large scars visible on her tan skin. A fighter like Sakura maybe? Cadet wasn't one to shy away from scars, they could make for some good stories back in his world, but these ones seemed... uniform. Deliberate. Maybe he shouldn't ask. Instead, he returned her gesture and introduced himself. 

[color=salmon]"The best crowd, Ms. Fortune!"[/color] he said, looking particularly tickled at her name. [color=salmon]"What was the Dead Zone like? You guys got back so quick... ah, well, I guess the story can wait until we get where we're going. I'm the Ace Cadet, I just go by that, but nicknames are fine."[/color] He pointed a few others out to Nadia. [color=salmon]"That's Kamek, he's magic. That's Geralt, also kind of magic? Ms. Peach is a princess. No clue who that swordsman is, but his technique was pretty gargwawesome.

"And..."[/color] He gestured to Frog beside them, but found the warrior sulking. He was probably taking what happened hard, since Limsa had been his home for a while now. Hopefully his reputation in town wasn't damaged, given that said reputation greatly benefited them when they had to explain everything after the battle. Link was in the middle of giving Frog a pep talk, and when the Hylian met his eyees the Cadet nodded. [color=salmon]"He's right, you're no failure Frog! Things could have turned out way worse if you weren't there."[/color] And it was true. If Frog hadn't helped him find Hat Kid, then she and Frog couldn't have saved him from the shadow's sneak attack - although Cadet himself was still ignorant to what almost happened. Not to mention his help in the battle itself.

When they all got to the [url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DeqmMeeVQAEMlGo?format=jpg&name=large]Drowning Wench[/url], the Cadet's stomach rumbled something fierce. He unabashedly ignored it, knowing that they'd be fed in a few minutes. Like Peach suggested, he was fully planning on partaking in a literal feast at this point. That black dragon was no joke! Plus coming out to Limsa, dragging the gold around,  Kamek informed the princess (and inadvertently the rest of blue team that hadn't gone on the sortie) a little about what was going on with Sakura and Junior. It would be cool if someone fetched them, they could save a space at the table. [color=salmon]"Weren't you guys supposed to just observe?"[/color] Cadet chuckled, [color=salmon]"After you talk to the admiral you have to fill [i]us[/i] in with the details too. Oh, and check on BB?"[/color] the last part was directed at those returning to the Atomos.

The next piece of news was not good news by any stretch. While the Red Team had left the Dead Zone (with the reason still a mystery to those outside of it), one of them hadn't come back with them. So Linkle was taken, but not only that - she was turning into some kind of monster? Various images came to mind, none pretty. If Linkle was missing they couldn't rest just yet, they had to go look for her. Before Cadet could voice that, Bowser ended on the note that the Alcamoth mercenaries were doing just that now. 

[color=salmon]"You're right Bowser, I'm sure there's something out there that can help. Besides, Linkle is super strong willed, so she'll be fine!"[/color] The Cadet patted the Koopa King's scaly arm. He hadn't been there with them to experience a skullgirl first hand, but because of that the hunter could be optimistic. Or as much as possible, at least. The end of the day was a real whiplash of emotions, huh? [color=salmon]"I'll drop by the Alcamoth and give them some of my scoutflies. They have everyone's scent, so if the mercenaries get close to Linkle's trail they'll react."[/color]

After that, the group began to split up again. As for Ace Cadet, he decided to wait there in the bar. If Junior and Sakura came by he wanted to see them. He also wanted to know what the admiral would say after Kamek and Geralt spoke with her. Perhaps he should have asked to tag along, but his stomach grumbled again so he sat himself down at the large table with Nadia and Link. Dropping like a stone onto the stool, the Cadet let out a sigh. He didn't pick up a menu, instead looking to the barmaid earnestly. [color=salmon]"One of everything,"[/color] he told her. 

Everything had been going so well at the beginning of the day. Limsa had treated them well too. When danger appeared in the city, and apparently out at sea, they'd all made it through. Then the bad news about Linkle's disappearance... He'd wanted to know what happened in the Dead Zone, and now even more so. Even though she was taken through a portal, maybe there was some kind of clue that one of them could pick out after a summary of the Red Team's adventure?

Cadet nodded following Link's words. [color=salmon]"Yeah, I'm pretty Quru- um, [i]curious[/i] too. What happened?"[/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4DgO1VH.png[/img]
[color=FFC6C6]Word Count: 1142 (+2 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]3[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 13/30
[b]Location[/b]: Sandswept Sky: Crown of Sand[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[color=2E2C2C]D34C25[/color][/center]After a brief stint in cooking and eating her fill, Primrose went over to the clothing pile that Panther pointed out earlier. Primrose wouldn't be picky with this, so long as it was temporary. Thankfully the cloak protected most of her dancer's outfit, so it would only need a quick wash. The thief said that the more intricate outfits they wore were projections, which was interesting, and just as confusing as some of the other things she'd mentioned about her home world. They looked more comfortable in their "real" clothes. 

With her arms full of robes Primrose wandered away from the oasis, halfway down a corridor where no wandering eyes could spot her before she changed. "Loose" was kind of an understatement since the garments were apparently made for "hippos" as Panther called them. On her, the robes offered plenty of glances at her skin as she moved - but barely more than her own clothes, and she made sure the robes were tied tightly at her waist. She returned and rinsed the sand from her outfit, laying it in a safe place where the sun shined in to dry. Then, she took her place back at the poolside beside Panther as the group chatted about names to call those under Galeem's influence. She giggled at Skull's suggestion, finding it cute how he deflated under everyone's attention. He, Anne, Alibaba... even the stubborn Joker, these kids were endearing.

[color=D34C25]"Hmm."[/color] the brunette brought a hand to her chin, tapping one finger against her jaw in thought. This kind of thing wasn't really her forte. She could only imagine what Cyrus might try and name them. [i]Animo Lumine or something...[/i] Instead of suggesting anything, she cast a vote. [color=D34C25]"[i]Gleaming[/i] works. It's not a word one uses in everyday speech very often."[/color]

With that settled the dancer took the time to chat with Panther while the rest of their large group spread out. At one point the Medic came back over to them to hand both girls a small device. Primrose turned it over in her hands a few times, and beyond her she heard Yoshitsune ask what it was. She kept an ear out for the answer while she talked with Anne. [color=D34C25]"Hippo, hm? It looks like a boar and a tortoise mixed together."[/color] She was glad that the thieves managed to beat it, as fearsome as hippos apparently were. Hippowdon had been very useful to her so far. [i]Ah. Hippo. Hippo-don. I see.[/i] 

Soon they were treated to a light show as a couple of them decided to fuse with the spirits they'd gathered. Primrose leaned a little closer to Panther to continue talking. [color=D34C25]"I've been wondering about her. Carmen. And the other... Personas,"[/color] she hesitated for a moment, unsure of the wording, [color=D34C25]"Are they not Strikers as well? Or something similar, from your world. I wonder if a spirit could be fused to them as well."[/color] While Anne answered, the lights were beginning to fade and the results of the spirit fusions appeared. The Medic and Yoshitsune became more monstrous, one natural and one metal. Midna and Poppi... well, they weren't humans to begin with, but their changes weren't any less noticeable. In particular, Poppi's ability to change forms meant that only the form that underwent the fusion was transfigured. Convenient, and very useful. Even a wolfos was transformed. Personally Primrose didn't think she'd fuse with a monster or machine spirit herself, not unless pushed to desperation. The ones that did were pretty bold. There was a humanoid spirit in that pile though, wasn't there? [color=D34C25]"..."[/color]

The question of whether she should fuse or not... the answer was obvious, wasn't it? It was a humanoid spirit, and hell - they even had a similar fashion sense. Primrose still wasn't at full power either. Before Galeem claimed every universe, she and her companions had been strong. She could dance with the ferocity of a lion, bestowing enhancements on all of her party at once. Her stamina had been much greater too, and although she didn't utilize it often, her hand to hand skill as well. Her performances could even affect the world around them - and, when together the eight of them pooled their knowledge together, Primrose remembered the feeling of holding fire and ice in her hands for the first time. Olberic daring to place his own warm hand on her shoulder, his smile proud and safe, telling her that once this was over she should return to Atlasdam with Cyrus and pursue the path of a scholar. The professor himself proclaiming that they should seek out the Shrine of the Archmage. The other boys snickering playfully, both elements between them as they welcomed Primrose to the club. How Tressa had been so excited to teach everyone how to use wind magic, and how happy she was when Primrose managed to grasp it. She remembered too sitting with Ophilia and struggling to learn her light magic, and when she abandoned it the other girl didn't make her feel ashamed at all. 

Yes, that Primrose was far away now. She was back to basics, and while that was fine she did need more power. For her own sake. The way the dancer was staring at the spirit, deep in thought, probably clued some around them in to what she intended. When she wasn't focusing on keeping an act up, Primrose was surprisingly easy to read at times.

[color=D34C25]"I think we may be moving out soon,"[/color] she said to Panther, nodding her head in Fox's direction, where the man looked a little strained still. It was nice that they'd been able to stay as long as they had. With those words Primrose stood, offering a hand to Anne if the girl was inclined to get up. [color=D34C25]"Let's talk more when next we stop."[/color] Fox had volunteered her to help Panther with magic after all. She'd promised the girl some dancing lessons as well, or was it lessons in elegance?

Primrose collected her now clean and dry clothes, left to change again, and returned looking as stunning as she normally did, not yet donning the cloak. She folded the robes but didn't think taking them would be very useful, she'd rather have a spare outfit that actually fit. Now fed, refreshed, and re-energized Primrose was ready to go, as well as ready to take the plunge and absorb a spirit. She approached the pile, coming to stand beside Sectonia.

[color=D34C25]"Treasure chests, I presume,"[/color] she told the queen when she asked about the locked boxes. Gingerly she took the sorceress' spirit from Sectonia, glancing up at the her. [color=D34C25]"I will take this one if you don't mind."[/color]

Primrose stepped away a little before she pressed the glowing orb into her chest, her eyes studying the process up close as it entered her body and a light began to envelop her.