[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img]
[color=salmon]Word Count: 567 (+1 exp)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]7[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 45/70
[b]Location:[/b] Edge of the Blue[/color][/center]
It wasn't quite a bull's eye, but the arrow did strike a target and the Cadet could see the tell-tale signs of poisoning begin. Hopefully it would bleed into the girl-monster herself, but only time would tell that. Soon after he'd released the arrow the princess gave the order for he and Ms. Fortune to get out onto the water, and so the Cadet wasted no time swapping to his sword and shield in preparation rather than try again to hit the small target. Getting directly into the fray was much more his style anyway. The hunter saluted Peach and cast off, turning back only once after he hit the water to give Mirage a thumbs up. [color=salmon]"You guys got this!"[/color] He said, and then he was speeding after Nadia, trying to close the gap on her head start.

Reverse from earlier that day on the open ocean, the Cadet chased after the Feral and put himself on clean up duty because of it. He zigzagged on the waves between two of the closest monstrous eels, raking them with his blade. While Link and Mirage dealt with the one harrying the ship's crew by attacking it's face, the hunter sliced a jagged stripe along it's side. As Nadia rushed along the back of another, cutting as she went, and it lifted it's head to turn and lunge again, Ace Cadet zipped across the water and sliced across it's exposed throat. His cuts were not as clean as he would have liked, his work made sloppy by the rough waves, but the sword was effective nonetheless. Most of the toothy fish were drawn to the open wounds on the eels, jumping up to try and rip pieces off of the exposed areas, but any that got too close for comfort were handily dealt with by his rigging.

He glanced over at the Atomos and it's crew on the water, and after finding them more or less alright and the airship itself still suspended in the air for now, he hustled to catch up with Nadia. 

[color=salmon]"I call the big one if it ends up turning on us,"[/color] he said once he was near. He was surprised to see it rise back up unharmed at first, thinking it had some intense regenerative power, but it's giant eye wasn't glowing red anymore. It'd been healed by someone, which just meant that while it was working out for them now they'd all get the chance to have a crack at it later. As they moved closer to the the monster's rocky tower where Bowser was currently clinging, the Cadet judged the distance between the top and the water below. The monster girl's giant green spell was impossible to miss, but if that's the kind of power she had then getting in close was definitely the best option for them. That meant scaling up the rock, even as precarious as it was thanks to the one-eyed creature's heavy blows. He figured he could probably make it up with a few well timed shots of his slinger. Nadia had her own macabre way of moving about with her blood jets, but he offered her a jumping off point once they were close enough, stowing his weapon for a moment and cupping his hands to boost her up before he followed after.

[color=salmon]"C'mon, meow it's time to show that fiend our brand of justice!"[/color]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4DgO1VH.png[/img]
[color=FFC6C6]Word Count: 728 (+1 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]4[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 16/40
[b]Location[/b]: Sandswept Sky - Al Mamoon[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[color=2E2C2C]D34C25[/color][/center]It was quite good fortune that they'd run into some of the others so quickly after their successful shopping trip. Primrose was just finishing up counting the last of her gold (and a hefty pomegranate she'd purchased for herself) and tucking it away when they came upon Midna, Red, Fox, and... Primrose glanced at the two unfamiliar men trailing behind the others, giving the both of them a subtle once over. One, a hooded human. The other, not so much...? It was hard to tell, but he seemed to have metallic pieces coming out of him, or at the very least his clothes. The words he exchanged with Poppi implied he was at least partially human, but overall Primrose supposed it didn't really matter. Names were exchanged and that was that for now. She turned to Fox and Midna, quirking a brow at them. They worked fast, picking up a couple of new allies in barely as many hours.

The dancer listened as information was passed back and forth about the queen, the equipment and provisions they'd picked up, and the general state of the city. She chimed in with this and that, and mentioned that she, too, had heard a little about the vizier from one of the merchants in town. Learning that there was a whole resistance opposing him was a little surprising. After all, she'd gotten the impression that he was doing well for the city as a manager, even if he was disliked as a person.

The group eventually began moving as they talked, their feet taking them to the headquarters of the "Grimleal," the vizier's people. Primrose supposed they all wanted to learn more about the situation before anything else. She certainly did. All the better if it meant they could procure a smooth ride to the mountain. Putting aside the sandstorm, the first train was quick and relatively comfortable. She wouldn't mind a second time around.

Upon entering the temple the first thing Primrose noticed was the large draconian statue. It was pretty hard to miss in general, even among the colorful architecture and elaborately dressed people. Still, the sight of it perturbed her. Did they worship such a beast? Her eyes cut quickly over to Panther and her white robes that she recalled were purchased due to another temple's closing. They were a stark contrast to the dark garb the Grimleal wore. Aesthetically, the whole order did give off a very disconcerting image in general as well. Now Primrose understood exactly what Isha said when she mentioned the vizier's particular look. She could easily imagine it based on what those in his order chose to wear. 

[i]A dark temple, an idol of a dragon, big changes within the city, stricter laws and punishments, closure of other places of worship, and a dedicated resistance group that even the man's son supports...[/i] It was like everything she'd heard painted a very suspect picture of the vizier and his order. However, on the other hand there were some that supported the Grimleal. Claimed the vizier's changes were good for Al Mamoon. It was a complicated situation, even more so than the political squabbles among noble families she'd grown up hearing about. Primrose kept her expression carefully blank as the group navigated towards a small welcoming party. Naturally the three Grimleal that greeted them looked equally suspicious. [i]Now now Primrose, try and temper your judgement for now...[/i]

They introduced themselves and Primrose only had time to respond in kind with a cordial, [color=D34C25]"Nice to meet you,"[/color] before Ciella casually mentioned beginning an operation. The dancer blinked, glancing at the others in her own group. If one of them had promised their cooperation, it would have been nice to let the rest of them know. Their help was all but expected from the way the captains spoke.

[color=D34C25]"We've only just arrived in the city, more information would be appreciated,"[/color] she said with a mild smile, following up Fox's curt words and Midna's questions. [color=D34C25]"The resistance's numbers, their goals, and your cause... anything you can tell us will help."[/color]

Even with their questions answered, Primrose felt she would be hesitant to assist in subjugating a resistance force unless the Grimleal presented a very compelling case. And even then the job board might be a safer bet. Either way, they needed a lot more information about the situation before making a call.