[center][h3]Yellow Team's Just Rewards[/h3]
[b]Location:[/b] Al Mamoon
Midna’s [@DracoLunaris], Sectonia’s [@Archmage MC], Yoshitune's [@Rockin Strings] Tora and Poppi
[b]Word Count:[/b] 8947 (+9 EXP)[/center]

What should have been a trip straight to the palace got sidelined by the myriad smells drifting from kitchens, restaurants, and food carts. Wonderful and enticing aromas of all kinds wafted to Tora on the slight breeze that filtered through Al Mamoon’s streets, and it wasn’t long before they provoked a longing cry from the Nopon’s stomach. “Meeeeh,” he groaned as his stomach rumbled. “All fighting in cistern make Tora very late for lunch! So very empty inside…” He made a piteous expression, holding his belly with both wings. “If poor Tora die of starvation, send body back to Torigoth.”

“Masterpon worry friends needlessly with dramatic exaggeration,” Poppi sighed. “After we get reward from palace, everyone have good meal together.” That said, even she could not keep her optics from wandering over to the nearby stalls and lingering on the luscious arrangements of meat, sauce, vegetable, and pastry. With the city’s lunch hour well in progress her olfactory sensors had to work overtime taking everything in, and what she smelled kept her from chiding her creator too harshly. If she possessed the ability to eat and enjoy food, Poppi imagined that she would be hard-pressed to keep food off her mind, too. “Let’s go double-time,” she suggested. “Faster we get there, faster we go to lunch.”

“Very true, meh meh!” Tora agreed, suddenly wondering why he was limiting himself to a brisk walk. Without a moment’s delay he sped off, moving with an alacrity Poppi didn’t know he had, and with a smile his companion took off behind him. Her hair and scarf fluttered wildly as she ran, giving Red and Laharl a good frame of reference even if they fell behind. With the highly motivated Nopon somehow maintaining the lead, the team of successful exterminators cut a roughly diagonal path from Al Mamoon's waterworks to the palace, ignoring the momentary glances of various citizens. Under the watchful gaze of the Ruin Sentinels Tora charged up the steps and through the palace doors, then down the grand hallway. Sparing not a glance for the slumbering queen in her titanic bed he made for the royal court, where he imagined the the Vizier's skeletal secretary waiting to dole out a chest of hard-earned gold for all his valiant efforts. He burst through the doors with Poppi right behind, singing, "Job done, job done, where's the gold that Tora won~?"

The Nopon slid to a stop as Midna, Sectonia, and Braum turned his way with curious looks, but Eva's glare stopped him cold. Her complete and utter lack of amusement chilled him to the bone, and in a tone just one degree of annoyance away from anger she snarked, "Get in line, pal!"

Looking mortified, Tora cleared his throat and queued up behind the others. "Erm. Ahem." He turned to Poppi as she tried not to smile, his eyes saying [i]give me a break here[/i], before he tried to strike up more subdued conversation. "Hello, friends. How'd jobs go?"

sion [color=92278f]"Fine"[/color] Sectonia said, the bite marks of the mimics she was fighting still visible, although looking far better than they were wen she got them and healing slowly [color=92278f]"I was quite miffed at how little the townspeople seemed to know about the bounties in the town though. So many complainers...."[/color] Sectonia continued, shaking her head. [color=92278f]"And now this...."[/color] Sectonia could only shake her head at the wait that everyone had to do. Tora and the others could see the two mimic spirits in her hand if they looked hard enough.

[color=Aquamarine]"Turns out 'strange noises' "[/color] Midna did the full air-quotes as she floated next to Sectonia [color=Aquamarine]"meant the horrific singing and dancing of a bunch of goddess awful monsters. So i took care of that. Got some extra cursed gear out of the deal too, plus some machinery stuff that I was hoping yo might be able to tell me how they worked"[/color] she said, before summoning the two technological masks she'd gotten from the demon's spirits and showing them to the furry engineer, before adding  [color=Aquamarine]"and don't need to worry about me taking up a slot in the queue, I've already got paid for my job, plus a 'doing the right thing' bonus. I'm just here to bless queeny here, and also yourselves now, with my lovely company while you wait to get paid for your jobs. Speaking of which, how did yours go?"[/color] 

"I helped catch a scam artist but I had to split it with someone else who helped out," Yoshitsune spoke up. "We should probably take a chance to find somewhere to spend the night as I won't have my swords back until tomorrow." Looking around at the others, he took notice of a bit of their loot. "Who has the least amount of coin right now?"

Made both curious and unsettled by what Midna's description of what she encountered in the course of her assignment, Tora guess his wasn't the only job that turned out to be more complicated than it seemed. "That sound rough, meh. But even so, Mid-Mid return triumphant and receive much reward for trouble! And Tora glad for Mid-Mid lovely company, as always. Here, give Tora masks." He held out his wings to take the loot from her for a closer look.  He turned each one over in his grasp, giving the mechanisms of each apparatus a close examination from both sides.  After a few moments he returned them, confident in his assessment. "Hmmeh...both seem made for breathing. Spiky one have rebreather, make possible to brave hazardy environment if given air supply. White one have only filter to clean up incoming air, but also have rapid intake. Maybe for huffing chemicals, like big pig man have back in first area. Also, both pretty tough and offer decent protection. Shame neither built for Nopon face, meh."

Poppi recalled the visage of the masked mercenary all the way back in 1-1, who alongside his grenade-happy companion accompanied the heroes for a brief period. She was surprised that Tora remembered Roadhog in the first place, let alone his equipment, given the Nopon's propensity for just forgetting anyone who didn't interest him.  Then again, both occupied the same sort of niche--defending others not through heavy armor or barriers but through sheer rotundity and constitution. 

"As for job, it actually much different from killing rats in sewer," Tora reflected after handing back the masks. "First off, underground very nice, with clear water, flowers, lilypads, even giant statue. Second, infestation not rats at all. It awful smelly goopy-mold that barf out goopy monsters, and just when we think we burn it all away, it hide inside big goopy rock man!" In dramatic fashion Tora threw his wings wide to approximate the golem's sheer size. "Meh-meh-meh! Tora and friends have to bash and smash over and over again, nearly getting crushed whole time! First thing after Tora get paid, find place to stuff silly."

[color=af1f1c]"Yeah that thing was huge actually. And I got to cut the damn things head clean off!"[/color] Red added that last part very triumphantly.

A moment later a few skeletal assistants arrived with the rest of the reward money for everyone, and Eva approved their payment. She directed her underlings to divvy it up, while she sat down to answer an incoming phone call. With relish Tora seized hold of his earnings, only for Poppi to remind him, "That not all for you. Red and Laharl also help. Four hundred split between four make one hundred each."

"Aww..." Tora shot a furtive glance at the petulant demon child. "All he do is one punch before get knocked out." When nudged by Poppi, however, the Nopon reluctantly split it. He did not begrudge Red any, given how much she helped, but capitulating to Laharl felt like an injustice.

[color=92278f]"Ah. I had to deal with monster treasure chests. Sadly All I have to show for it are bite marks and their spirits. "[/color] Sectonia said, further explaining what she had to deal with after Midna handed the mechanical objects to Tora. [color=92278f]"Considering they are spirits of chests, I'm curious to see what crushing them would give, but before that best get the gold first."[/color] Sectonia said, observing Tora overlook the rebreather devices. Sectonia didn't know who this 'pig man' was, but considering the words Tora used, even if the nopon was a bit verbally challenged, it didn't sound like he was a good looking person. Not many here were. 

And considering what happened to him, it kind of made sense how he'd be reminded of a pig man wearing those masks as his story sounded dreadfully unpleasant. [color=92278f]"Its good you brought beauty to an area by smiting such foul things."[/color] Sectonia said, giving a, not being as rare now, compliment. Absorbing Count Blech really helped her say her mind when someone did her proud, although the Nopon could probably use a bath after all of that. He did not, unfortunately, register her words as praise.

[color=92278f]"As for my gold...."[/color] Sectonia said, grabbing the bag offered to her by a skeletal assistant. [color=92278f]"I will need to shop around to see if anything is worth it."[/color] 

[color=Aquamarine]"Ah so that's what the ports are for,"[/color] Midna said appreciatively upon having the two explained [color=Aquamarine]"Not sure if huffing chemicals is a great idea, but i might use that one to deal with the sandstorms i can kick up. After some heavy modifications that is. [i]Some of us[/i] appreciate that having good aesthetics can be a pretty big deal"[/color] and she wasn't the only one. Sectonia had already rejected the demon mask before this group arrived on the basis of it's unsightly appearance. That hadn't stopped her from helpfully testing it out, which had revealed the mask ability to triple someones magical firepower, at the cost of making said firepower an uncontrollable nightmare, with the shots whizzing this way and that with strange and unpredictable flight patterns. That had certainly been interesting. Nothing was simple or untainted with the gear she'd gotten from the temple, that was for sure.

After finishing up with counting the gold she had earned, Red also took a look at the masks that Midna had discovered. "You never know when chemicals could be useful with that sort of thing, there's plenty of things like that with a lot of potential use. Healing or buffing as an example." Not that she really expected Midna to really utilize that aspect but she didn't want her to dismiss the idea entirely just in case it'd help in a dire situation. It seemed like everyone had a productive time as well while they were cleaning out the sewers. "Maybe I need to go shopping too, I've still got a little gold burning a hole in my pocket too." She agreed with Sectonia's idea.

[color=Aquamarine]"I guess I/we could keep an eye out for any useful ones. it just doesn't sound like the healthiest thing to be doing is all"[/color] Minda replied, still a little skeptical but not as 100% against the Idea as she had been a few moments ago.

As the Seeker's heads filled with things to buy, be they equipment for the road ahead or dishes of local cuisine piled high, they prepared to hit the tracks. Before they could get underway, the drawling voice of the secretary hailed them from her desk. "Hey, hold ahn a sec. Just gotta cwall from the foahce. 'Parently the jahb ahffice down the road neahly got blown up by the Resistance, but ya pal in the trench coat saved the day." She didn't look too elated, but the event was nothing if not good timing. Aware of Validar's directive, she added, "Paints the so-called freedom fightas in a pretty bad light, don't it? Guess ya oaghta check in when ya get done spendin' all the city's gold."

Poppi raised her eyebrows, surprised but impressed. "If Big Band already learn enough about Resistance to foil sabotage, it good day for everyone."

"Meh, meh!" Tora agreed. "Guess being detective really pay off for solving crimes. Friends should definitely pay Band visit and hear what found out." He winked, grinning. "After trip back to market, of course! Money not spend itself!"

Midna made a disgusted sound and then complained [color=Aquamarine]"The more I learn about this place the more I feel it's a shiny facade rotting from the inside out"[/color] upon hearing about the resistance's target. During the brief encounter with her Midna had found she rather liked the person staffing that office, which added extra bitterness to her reaction to the information.  Why, she thought, couldn't there just be a simple delineation between good and evil, rather than this murky pool they where wading through.

After another moments thought she asked Sectonia [color=Aquamarine]"Do you remember how much that wolf amulet Prim mentioned was going for?"[/color]

[color=92278f]"Not that much. We have more gold with us than we had when 'trading' with the jeweler."[/color] Sectonia said, affirming Midna should have enough with her reward.

[color=92278f]"Sadly nothing there was usable by me, so I will be touring the rest of the town."[/color] She said. "And yes, I agree, there is something off here. Although I am not sure who would be the one to deal with even with that amulet." Sectonia said, agreeing with Midna's frustration as to the town, although more just out of her own frustration of how silly it seemed both sides of the town's conflict were being. In that way her and Midna probably agreed that it is easier in their kingdoms where things are quite simple.

[color=92278f]"I will take any minions who wish to go shopping with me."[/color] Sectonia said as they all headed out to go shopping before investigating the resistance stuff. Seeing as she had her gold and they didn't need the spirits themselves, Sectonia crushed both mimic spirits to see what they would yield.

[center][hider=For Sectonia]You have Acquired:
    [b][url=https://darksouls3.wiki.fextralife.com/file/Dark-Souls-3/symbol_of_avarice_-_copy.png]Symbol of Avarice[/url][/b] - [i] Head of the avaricious creature that mimics treasure chests. Can be worn, if one so wishes. Increases (Dark Souls) soul absorption from defeated enemies as well as item discovery (better loot from spirits), but the curse of the branded also drains HP. The very form of this creature is thought to be a form of brand, a punishment for sin.[/i]
    [b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/borderlands/images/a/a4/Nuclear_Staunch_Ghaash_BL3_Purple_L24.jpg]Ghaash[/url][/b] - [i]a sniper rifle with an alien barrel. It has a very high fire rate for a sniper rifle but rather low damage. The underslung RPG can launch a payload that splits into three bombs midair that then detonate on contact. Its odd weight distribution and specs make it difficult to use well.[/i][/hider][/center]

"Shopping does sound like a good idea," Yoshitsune smiled softly as he watched Sectonia crush the mimic spirits. "I may be able to find a temporary weapon to borrow until tomorrow." As Sectonia began heading towards the shops, Yoshitsune followed behind, as much to act as a bodyguard, though the queen didn't need one, as to join her in shopping. Sectonia was happy to have someone follow her, although they were all her minions, most were quite willful. Still they were useful so it worked in the end. 

"Okay!" Tora sang, too happy at the prospect of reckless spending to be annoyed at Sectonia called him a minion again. "Friends get going already! Poppi, lead way!"

[hr]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HQC6MCG.png[/img][/center]

With her Masterpon's infectious spirit putting a little pep in her step, Poppi retraced the steps she'd taken before midday to steer the group from the domain of the Grimleal back toward the marketplace in Al Mamoon's eastmost district. Tora practically bounced the whole way, spurred onward by the elation of one who seldom got the chance to throw some cash around. Having been in the train station while his allies visited the bazaar before, he was taken aback by the sheer visual overload of it all as he walked beneath the lavishly decorated archway and into the western court. Everywhere he looked were peoples of all shapes and sizes, not all of them human, and an even greater variety existed among the various stalls, carts, and stores. Each one offered an eye-catching array of products.

There was [url=https://i.imgur.com/AsAxVxc.png]Dungeon Plunder[/url], with its stat-changing potions, enchanted trinkets, and unique weapons. Its more successful competitor [url=https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/035/075/912/large/rodrigo-castro-zeldagoronshop-animation-1532.jpg?1614036993]Rock Solid Deals[/url] offered a greater variety of useful equipment. [url=https://i.imgur.com/PR3rzpP.png]Vera's Arsenal[/url], meanwhile, specialized in conventional if high-quality armor. Tucked away in a corner [url=https://i.imgur.com/fJyWaNo.png]Hee-Ho Mart[/url] offered a wide variety of consumer goods. Exotic foods like lizard meat and glazed worms were on display at [url=https://i.imgur.com/ONWX2KB.png]Rhon Ron's Eatery[/url], while appetizing aromas drifted from [url=https://i.imgur.com/jjDpfC4.png]Raj's Curry Pot[/url]. And that was just the first of the grand bazaar's six courts, with the classiest of them all shaded within the temple of commerce, out of view. "Wow..." he breathed, giddy with excitement.

Poppi rubbed his head affectionately, trying to rein him in. "Don't get too carried away. Only have two hundred between us, so still need be mindful of purchases." Still, she understood him completely. Even if she'd been here before, being here as a customer rather than an entrepreneur cast it all in a whole new light. Her eyes fell on a [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/yakuza/images/6/62/Gomi.jpg]fellow in a memorable hat[/url], who she recognized from her earlier visit. "Although, friend Panther say earlier that we can use Gomi's Pawn Shop over there to sell things we don't need."

"Oh!" Tora pulled out the [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/darkestdungeon_gamepedia/d/db/Inv_trinket-seer_stone.png]Seer Stone[/url] and the collapsed [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/phantasystar/images/4/48/Pso2_jet_boots_id.png]Jet Boots[/url] from his bag. "Tora not understand how this technology work, so stop caring. And not figure out what this rock does, either. Maybe get little gold for them. Come quick, so we find place to eat after" He and Poppi headed off, leaving the others to go about their business.

Sectonia and Yoshitsune were interested in the Dungeon Plunderer and the Rock Solid Deals, moving into said stores to see what they had for sale. She would buy when she had a full list of options, and seeing as there were 6 different bazaars to look at, she wouldn't pull the trigger on something unless it jumped out at her, unless she had a complete list. Either way, she had no use for this gun item, and seeing as no one else seemed to have much use for it, she sold it like Tora did his treasures, alongside that Capture Scarab she had collected for more gold to get better items. The fleshy weapon got her a respectable eighty-five gold, but since the unknown insect would warrant only the five gold junk fee, she held onto it. She kept the mimic head, as, although it was hideous, she could sense what magic was inside it and what boons it offered, and that would be far more useful in the long run. She'd just have to get one of her minions to use it instead of her when the time came to start using it. While curious about the items Sectonia was selling, Yoshisune elected not to ask as he had no use for them personally. His eyes never seemed to stop in one place for long.

Midna popped in to the pawnshop along with Sectonia to sell the [url=https://imgur.com/sfP7EXZ]Death Scissor Mask[/url] (for fifty gold) and the  [url=https://geekvibesnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/704700_1304202102486_full.jpg]Daredevil Mask[/url] (also for fifty) both of which she, and she was fairly sure no one else, had any use for. The other two could stay. The filter mask could be useful modified, and the omen mask's magic tripling effect was frankly to interesting to let go off. Maybe Prim would like it, Midna thought or she herself would see if she could develop/relearn some magic that would synergize with it

[hider=Dungeon Plunder][list][*][b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/crawl/images/7/7d/SpiderVenom-0.png]Spider Venom[/url][/b] - [i]Attack is the best defense for the fragile beasts that hide in the shadows. +20% max strength, -10% max health. 50 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/crawl/images/1/1e/RodentBlood.png][/url][/b] - [i]They'll want to kill you, but first they'll have to catch you. +20% max speed, -10% max health. 50 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/crawl/images/4/4f/GolemTears.png]Golem Tears[/url][/b] - [i]To those of stone, mortal lifetimes pass like leaves on the wind. +20% max health, -10% max speed. 50 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/crawl/images/e/e6/BookoftheSun.png]Book of the Sun[/url][/b] - [i]The holy text of the Sun Ray cult. A holy book that follows you and periodically fires a heat ray. 100 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/crawl/images/4/44/MonsterToe.png]Monster Toe[/url][/b] - [i]Swallow this toe to increase the speed of all your monsters. 45 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/crawl/images/3/34/FeatherofSquintingShrimp.png]Feather of the Squinting Shrimp[/url][/b] - [i]When you are bleeding from an untreated wound, you run like the wind. 40 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://i.imgur.com/BWrls3h.png]Manas & Ayus[/url][/b] - [i]Paired katars with tri-blades and shielded grips. They inflict high slash and especially puncture damage, but they're unconventional push-daggers that lack range, making them risky to use. 175 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://i.imgur.com/TQ0yY8X.png]Sojourney's Staff[/url][/b] - [i]A brazen rod whose head contains a magic light. Making a casting motion with it will cause a single torch or other portable light source in the wielder's inventory to fly up to thirty yards and stick to whatever surface it hits, although it can be knocked down again without much force. In short, it places lights remotely. 125 gold[/i]
[/list][/hider]

[hider=Rock Solid Deals][list][*][b][url=https://www.pngkey.com/png/detail/293-2932697_tp-big-quiver-legend-of-zelda-twilight-princess.png]Arrows x 5[/url][/b] - [i]Bows shoot them. Nothing special in terms of quality. 10 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/zelda_gamepedia_en/images/a/a9/TP_Lantern_Oil_Render.png]Lamp Oil[/url][/b] - [i]It burns. 20 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSrYuQktkUgtFH0WPf3-xefJQznZTmLdpU3MzIKttyE_OEIpawjOmJe8SnZQmniiXZ0Rbw&usqp=CAU]Bomb[/url][/b] - [i]A timed explosive that counts down once its thrown to the ground, and blows up in an area. 20 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=http://oyster.ignimgs.com/mediawiki/apis.ign.com/the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3d/4/44/LOZ_OoT_3D_HeartPiece.png]Piece of Heart[/url][/b] - [i]A fragment of vital essence. Can be cracked to restore a fifth of the user's health. Collect 5 to form a Heart Container that can fully restore one's health and increase max health by 20%. 75 gold apiece[/i]
[*][b][url=https://wow.zamimg.com/modelviewer/classic/webthumbs/item/176/5808.webp]Razormane War Shield[/url][/b] - [i]An affordable wooden shield reinforced by metal. Can be painted for a personal touch. 90 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://wow.zamimg.com/uploads/screenshots/small/63554.jpg]Arctic Shield[/url][/b] - [i]A shield forged from quality materials and imbrued with ice magic, granting heat tolerance and ice resistance. 325 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://cdn.kiranico.net/file/mhworld-kiranico/images/wp/factory/rod/q6soF8K.jpg]Bone Glaive[/url][/b] - [i]An affordable polearm hewn from large but otherwise unremarkable monster bones. Good for both slashing and piercing, and has enough weight in its counterbalance for a skilled lancer to make use of 80 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://d31wxntiwn0x96.cloudfront.net/kpykbc/productimages/797_1.jpeg]Debate Club[/url][/b] - [i]A handy but heavy club made of fine steel. The most persuasive line of reasoning in any debater's arsenal. Once every three seconds, deal extra 60% of attack damage in an area on hit. 115 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://fireemblemwiki.org/w/images/6/65/FEMN_Dark_Mage.png]Dark Robe[/url][/b] - [i]A heavy, concealing garment capable of covering the wearer head to toe. Provides a small bonus to magic damage and can keep one warm in the cold, but a tough sell in the desert heat. 125 gold[/i]
[*][b][url=https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/958606961126613818/216DFEB9BA94DA0BE5152B129BC169E766970ACF/?imw=512&&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false]Boomerang[/url][/b] - [i]A deadly weapon that flies straight out a maximum of one hundred feet and then turns on a dime to head back to the thrower. Deals a heavy chunk of damage but if it hits any hard surface while flying it will start to bounce around, at which point it can do damage to both the thrower and allies until it runs out of steam. 150 gold[/i]
[/list][/hider]

In a very typical fashion Sectonia told the shopkeeper to reserve the potions for her while she explored other options, but the stocky man behind the counter did not seem to recognize her authority. He grunted that gold was gold, and whoever was actually willing to pay him for his goods would receive them. The affront helped speed the insect queen on her way, and Sectonia wasted little time conducting a search of the entire bazaar for any magic emporiums that might be open for business. Even with efficiency on her mind, however, the search took her a rather long time. There were simply too many eye-catching things to be distracted by. Yoshitsune was also not conducive to the search, getting easily sidetracked by the weapons he saw and a few people passing by too closely who looked like threats.

Meanwhile, Tora had set his sights on a less high-brow prize: Raj's Curry. As he waddled up to the cart, eyes sparkling at the prospect of sampling the source of that oh-so-tantalizing smell, Raj greeted him warmly. "Welcome, friend! What can I get you for?"

The Nopon jumped up an down in excitement. "Mehmehmeh! Tora very hungry and ready for lovely-lovely meal after big payday! But first Tora want ask, what is curry?"

"Oho, a neophyte! Do I ever envy you!" Raj joked with a winning smile before launching into explanation. "It's often said that one's first curry experience is a memory that can never be replaced. To answer the question, my curry is a dish made of sauce serviced over rice. The sauce is a concoction of exotic spices, finely ground and expertly mixed. Tumeric, cumin, coriander, ginger! Add to that meats and vegetables, like pork and onions, plus coconut milk, and you've got an unforgettable melting pot of flavor! Will you be having any this fine day?"

He scarcely needed to ask. "YesyesyesyesYESYESYES!" Tora sang, both hands full of gold. "Tora take whole pot!"

Raj laughed good-naturedly. "Ohohoho, I love the enthusiasm, believe you me, but if it's not to your taste I'd hate to see it wasted. And what of my other customers?" He put his hands on his hips. "How does two bowls sound? One for you, one for your lady friend."

"Actually, Poppi not need-" Tora cut himself off. "OH yes, sorry, two bowls just fine, meh! Here is enough for two, according to sign." He forked over twenty gold pieces, then watched as Raj folded together two hard paper bowls, spooned in some rice, then finally ladeled in some curry. The sauce-soaked meat and vegetables glistened in the sun, and the smell was simply phenomenal. He took his bowl as gingerly as his burgeoning enthusiasm would allow. A spoonful of the food disappeared into his gullet, and as he took in the taste he voiced his delight. "MmmmMMMMmmmm!"

Popi gave an apologetic bow in his behalf and steered her Masterpon away so that nobody else had to watch him eat. "Thank you, Mr. Raj!" she called, waving, and the vendor cheerfully waved her off.

Midna for her part briefly went along with the pair just long enough to get an overview of what was on sale and what they where buying, before heading out and hunting down the jewelry shop Primrose had sold their various jewelry at to see how much the evil detecting wolf charm was going for. Weapons and gear where all well and good, but when it came down to it, she could already fight. Sure, upgrades where nice, but for her, right now, gear that offered utility was taking priority for her. She could always go back once she knew how much of a budget she had left. Plus, while she wasn't sure if the bone charm counted as jewelry, she imagined the seller of enchanted accessories might still be able to figure out what it did, or know someone who would do that kind of work.

The Gerudo shopkeeper of Starlight Memories, Isha, withdrew the wolfs-head medallion from its cushion beneath the glass display case. "This the one?" she confirmed, figuring that her new customer had heard about it through a third party. "An excellent work of art, masterfully crafted in a magic forge. Its sturdiness, heft, and ferocious appearance make it a popular choice for men, but it suits anyone who seeks to not be trifled with. It will vibrate in the presence of sorcery and magical creatures, and mutually repels monsters, giving wearers a crucial warning. Six hundred gold is our asking price."

Midna did her best to avoid cringing at the asking price and giving away that that was a fair way out of her raw cash price range at the moment (she briefly considered trying to see how much her new earnings and bracelets would get, but found she had an emotional attachment to them that wasn't worth breaking unless she really needed the money. Besides, aesthetics where important after all, and being a princess who had to pawn of all her jewellery was a bod look) and instead focused on the qualities of the amulet itself. In hind sight magic that could detect evil on a moral level sounding to good to be true had turned out to be exactly that, though only because of a misinterpretation by her of the earlier simplified explanation.  As for what it did do... it seemed like it would end up giving a lot of false positives considering the company she kept. Especially considering she didn't know what it counted as a 'monster' for the purpose of the repelling and warning effect. A brief mental image of Red and the amulet reacting poorly to one another put the idea of trying to find a way to afford it in the grave.

[color=Aquamarine]"While it is nice looking it looks like I misinterpreted the functionality of it when I heard about it, sorry about that."[/color] she apologized for wasting the woman's time,  [color=Aquamarine]"but while I still have your attention, do you know anyone in town who is able to appraise or identify the magic effects of items? A charm and a sword specifically."[/color]

Isha recognized the sort of reticence that came with a hastily reconsidered purchase at a glance, but she did not mind. "No need to worry. Perhaps we another of our wares will catch your eye." Reconsidering her potential customer's price range she prepared to recommend a different item, but Midna had something else in mind entirely. "Oh? Hmm..." she crossed her arms as she considered the question. "Down in the fourth court there's a place called the Melding Pot. The Elder Melder practices alchemy there. She's a wyverian scholar who's lived a very long life, and she's got an exceptional amount of experience with rare objects and strange properties. She may be your best bet." Even when asked about a different store, the keeper of Starlight Memories remained courteous.

The princess did indeed have a brief  additional look around at the other wares, particularity a rather fetching  pair of [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/zelda_gamepedia_en/images/b/b4/BotW_Amber_Earrings_Model.png]amber earrings[/url] that she made note of how much they went for for later, before thanking the woman for her time and heading round to the fourth court to find this 'Elder Melder' Isha had told her about.

When Midna arrived in the fourth court and took a cursory look around, there could be little doubt as to what exactly the jeweler meant by 'Melding Pot.' An entire corner of the marketplace was occupied by nothing less than an actual [url=https://game.capcom.com/manual/MHW_PC/img/page/131_13_1.jpg?t=20200709000000]super-sized urn[/url], decorated with what amounted to a monster bone necklace and surrounded by craters and lesser pots stuffed with various reagents. Above it all the Elder Melder resided, standing atop a few planks across the pot's rim that allowed her to stir the contents of what amounted to a gigantic cauldron. If the word 'wyverian' had prompted the Twilight Princess to picture a dragon, she would find her assumption mistaken. In fact the Elder Melder looked like a very old Hylian if anything, what with her long if droopy ears.

It certainly explained the elder part of her name, that was for sure. The princess took another little look around and then, seeing that she wasn't just going to be noticed, floated up in-front of the cauldron and announced her presence with a polite, [color=Aquamarine]"good morning. Are you the Elder Melder? I was told you'd be the person to see about discerning the powers of a few magical items?"[/color] 

[color=Aquamarine]"I'll be upfront about the fact that they probably aren't the, ah, nicest ones, but I'd like to see if they might be useful, be the kind of thing you cover in warning labels and shove in a vault  or alternatively are the kind lock away in a at the bottom of a dungeon to make sure no-one ever gets their hands on them."[/color]  She added, wanting to be entirely honest and open about what she was asking right now rather than have things get complicated later.

The wyverian nodded her assent, just happy that a client had come to her rather than obliged her to climb down from atop her pot. "Oh, that's quite alright, dearie. Whatever gift you might have for me, Granny's happy to tell ya what it is." She let go of her stirring spoon, which given its size really was more of a stirring oar, and let it rest against the rim of the pot. She clasped her hands together. "Now, since this is your first time, there are a few things you should know. I do charge a fee per appraisal, but it's only ten gold. Just enough for poor Granny to warm herself with a bowl of curry when the night gets chilly. " She helped paint the picture by crossing and rubbing her arms for a moment, as if she were shivering. "That said, I don't mean to toot my own horn when I say you won't get a better appraisal in town. Whatever makes it tick, I can tell ya. And I can write it down for ya too, so if you want to sell it, you'll be sure to get the right price. As the Elder Melder my word is my bond, and it's as good as gold." She extended a wrinkled hand. "Now let's see what you've got, dearie."

First she took hold of the bone charm, getting a tentative feel for it before determining it was safe enough to handle. Then she felt it all over, taking in every detail, and when she finished her initial assessment she began pulling out tools from her belt, starting with a magic spyglass. In surprisingly short order the old wyverian came to a conclusion. "Well, this is quite the fascinating little doodad. Made of human bone. Possessed of a strange kind of magic, otherworldy, just on the edge of the darkness. This charm offers protection...protection, yes. Against swords, knives, axes, anything with a blade. Should one touch you the charm will enact vicious retribution and shatter the blade, but be warned...it comes at a price." A dramatic flair crept through her voice, the sort of theatricality she might use to entertain grandchildren. "Every time this happens, one of your teeth will rot and fall out. So think carefully, dearie. While one's life is more precious than one's teeth, it wouldn't do to rob such a pretty young thing of her smile." She cracked a grin, revealing a few missing teeth herself. "Eehee, see?"

Next she inspected the sword. From moment one it was clear to her just how dangerous this thing was, and she treated it with an appropriately painful seriousness. This appraisal took more than twice as long as the other, at the end of which the Elder Melder handed it back wrapped in a cloth. She shook her head vigorously. "This is a truly cursed object. I can scarcely believe it myself, but as far as I can tell, if you were to take a blow -any at all- while wearing this, you would be instantly killed." She shivered, intensely disturbed by the foul sorcery. "I must admit that it seems capable of dealing extraordinary amounts of damage, but never have I beheld a more self-destructive object. I would advise you to get rid of it, or..." With narrowed eyes, she glanced in the direction of the temple court. "Maybe the shopkeeper of Hero Needs would buy it."

A shiver visibly ran down the princess spine when she found out what was so wrong with the sword. She'd used that to fight the demons. She'd been but a scratch from dying that whole time. She had to take a moment to take a deep breath and compose herself after that. 

[color=Aquamarine]"Goddesses. This was more than worth the asking price. Thank you Elder. Both for the appraisal and for the advice."[/color] it was very good advice too.  [color=Aquamarine]"Even if my teeth weren't at risk,using something made of human bone is. urgh"[/color] an appalling proposition to say the least.That she was going to bury or burn or something to put the person to rest.

As for the sword [color=Aquamarine]"Defiantly a warning label one, that is for sure. As for selling it..."[/color]  on the one hand people would know what they where getting into. On the other, in this town, she would not put it past either of the factions to arm some schmuck with it.  Plus could she live with herself knowing some cocksure fool might be running around and getting themselves killed because of her? No. No she really wouldn't be able to. [color=Aquamarine]"That doesn't seem ethical. In the slightest"[/color] she decided, before carefully attaching the note the Elder Melder provided with the details on it to the blade and then tapped it with a finger.

[color=Aquamarine]"That can live in the twilight realm till i find somewhere secure to put it. Throwing it away for someone else to find would be just as bad. Worse maybe?"[/color] she explained/justified her decision to both the woman and herself as the sword was sent to live in her personal storage area in her home dimension, well away form everything else in there for good measure, which being a physical location meant she could carry it around without, well, carrying it. 

[color=Aquamarine]"Thanks again. You're a life saver and, I imagine, someone who's services will come in handy for  both me and my... allies in future."[/color] she said in closing. 

"You're very welcome!" The Elder Melder replied, bowing her head. "I also perform melding, which is melting down materials into 'points' that can be used to craft other materials. So please do come again.

[color=Aquamarine]"I'm sure I will. Have a lovely day mam"[/color] she said, bidding the woman farewell and then being left to try and think of what she was going to do. 

[color=Aquamarine]"Guess I could check out this 'the shopkeeper of Hero Needs' is selling?"[/color] she said to herself, before heading round there and finding several of the others had also sought out the famous merchant selling all sorts of wonderfulness wares.

The short trip reunited Midna with Sectonia just as the wasp queen's long search was coming to an end. She and Yoshitsune had eventually found just the sort of item purveyor the queen had sought inside the temple of commerce itself, at the largest and most popular store of them all: [url=https://hips.hearstapps.com/digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/15/32/secretshop_concept-20150805-061238724.jpg]Hero Needs[/url]. Trinkets and baubles, arms and armor, clever contraptions and conveniences of all kinds, and in the center of it all the famous [url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/shopkeeper-590x334.jpg]green-clad shopkeeper[/url], perennially wearing his characteristic smile as he effortless accomplished deal after deal. It stocked a wide variety of mundane goods and equipment, so much that anyone without too much to spend could find good gear for under a hundred gold, but of special note were its unique artifacts.

[hider=Hero Needs]
[b][url=https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRbsjPjAlo7T8DQughH2el8SC2PmEb5HTIAh0oL5ZMjfRTQei1bhG9TIZw8TpkRrEZki2M&usqp=CAU]Moon Shard[/url][/b] - [i]Crush this lunar tear gain the blessing of the moon goddess Selemene. Improves night vision by a lot and increases max standard attack speed by 40%. 400 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/003/817/844/large/james-c-scythe-of-vyse.jpg?1477641616]Scythe of Vyse[/url][/b] - [i]A mystic polearm with a blade of sorcery that allows it to deal magic damage based on the wielder's spellcasting power. In addition this relic can consume a chunk of mana to place a Hex upon a struck target, with a 20 second cooldown. The Hex turns the target into a [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/dota2_gamepedia/images/9/91/Hex_pig_model.png]harmless critter[/url] for 3.5 seconds, which keeps the target's base defense and health but completely removes its ability to attack or defend itself. 1575 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/leagueoflegends/images/3/3c/Last_Whisper_item_HD.png]Last Whisper[/url][/b] - [i]A deadly bow that increases the damage dealt by arrows fired from it, and gives them armor penetration, increasing their ability to deal damage through staunch defense. 150 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/leagueoflegends/images/6/62/Gargoyle_Stoneplate_item_HD.png]Gargoyle Stoneplate[/url][/b] - [i]A heavy but magnificent cuirass plus shoulderplates that rewards anyone who can wear it with great defense. It also passively increases armor and magic resistance by 5% up to 5 times when hit by an enemy. Its wearer can cast Monolith to create a bubble shield that can absorb a fixed amount of damage. 999 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a53a61d3-e861-4fd6-8b2c-03f323d09574/d930n1b-4b769e06-d4df-4d6c-b743-1044cbeff971.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2E1M2E2MWQzLWU4NjEtNGZkNi04YjJjLTAzZjMyM2QwOTU3NFwvZDkzMG4xYi00Yjc2OWUwNi1kNGRmLTRkNmMtYjc0My0xMDQ0Y2JlZmY5NzEucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.JYl20asep1LdLfPWQNkINQ7Z-WNZTqZfmrRX8RHA7EE]Technology[/url][/b] - [i]An artificial eye with accompanying cybernetics. When equipped it will replace the wearer's left eye, after which it can fire a thin red laser in a straight line wherever the user is looking. The laser deals minor but continuous Heat damage to struck targets and can rack up quickly. It cannot be easily removed. 330 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HyXKYO6ItgE/maxresdefault.jpg]Euthanasia[/url][/b] - [i]Once injected, enough black tears will flow from the user's eyes and leave permanent streaks. Afterward there is a 3.33% chance (scaling highly with the user's Luck) that projectiles created by the user will become black needles. If a projectile is about to become a needle, the user's streaks will sting as warning. A needle will instant-kill any enemy with a Spirit class below Notable, even one that would normally be invincible, and cause the body to explode in a burst of black tears. 500 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/hades_gamepedia_en/images/3/39/Centaur_Heart.png]Centaur Heart[/url][/b] - [i]The equine Centaurs are well known for their unlimited endurance, and although their reign has long since passed from the mortal realm above, their resolve lives on within the Underworld. Here their vital essence is encased in still-beating vessels, which bestow the Centaurs' power to the wielder.  Increases max health by 25%. 100 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/hades_gamepedia_en/images/9/92/Myrmidon_Bracer.png]Myrmidon Bracer[/url][/b] - [i]A warrior's keepsake that decreases damage received from the front by 25% but increases the damage dealt from behind by 10%. 250 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/darksouls/images/4/41/Crescent_Moon_Sword.png]Crescent Moon Sword[/url][/b] - [i]A special shotel, a kind of hooked sword that specializes in getting around shields and other obstacles. It is of exquisite make and masterful craft. In a broad stance it can be swung to fire off crescent light waves for a surprise long-range attack. 425 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/darksouls/images/1/10/Follower_Torch.png]Follower Torch[/url][/b] - [i]A sword-hilted torch usable as both a light source and offensive weapon. It stays lit even when used to strike a solid target, and when the use inhales deep, he or she can breath through the flame to spit a cone of fire. 95 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/dragalialost_gamepedia_en/images/3/31/309024_01_50401.png]Thunder Trigger[/url][/b] - [i]A manacaster (magical gun) forged using the parts of a dragon. It fires electric shots, and after a lot of build up by landing attacks, its alt-fire can be triggered to shoot off an explosive shot that causes a spontaneous lightning strike on hit. 625 gold[/i]
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/dragalialost_gamepedia_en/images/3/38/303035_01_59901.png]Kris Naga[/url][/b] - [i]A fine dagger that mimics the form of a dragon. Its slash and piercing damage are nothing to sneeze at. After a lot of buildup by landing attacks, it can grant Hedgehog's Strength, increasing all outgoing damage by 35% for 5 seconds. 750 gold[/i]
[/hider]

As the pair stood before the store, the sound of a loud slurp happened to catch their attention. A glance over towards the inner court's central left revealed none other than Tora and Poppi seated at Cromdo's Fountain, the upscale bar run by the lovably churlish [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/bugsnax/images/c/cf/CromdoCard.png]Cromdo Face[/url]. Judging by the ice-cold [url=https://image.posterlounge.com/images/l/1886101.jpg]Nuka Cola[/url] clutched in Tora's wing he'd elected to wash down his lunch of curry with a sweet refreshment. When the two groups spotted one another the dynamic duo waved cheerfully. The Nopon's happy waving was earnest enough to nearly spill the drink of the [url=https://www.pikpng.com/pngl/m/239-2392894_sombra-overwatch-sombra-png-clipart.png]woman in purple[/url] beside him, and with a huff the stylish lady moved farther away.

Midna waved back and, having had her fill of the fascinating and expensive items on display, and having made several mental notes about ones she'd like if she could afford them, which she could probably do if she sold the cursed items that she was most certainly not going to do, decided to float on over to them. [color=Aquamarine]"Hi you two. Hows the market been treating you?"[/color] 

"Very good, meh!" Tora replied, not at all trying to hide his good spirits. "First have yummy spicy sauce called curry, now have super sweetydrink called cola. Tora knew coming here was right choice! How about Mid-Mid? Get anything good?"

As much as he preferred interaction with Midna the Nopon did glance over at Hero Needs. Yoshitsune had his eyes on the Follower Torch, while despite seeing a lot of interesting things on offer Sectonia was obliged to focus on the subset she could afford, namely the Moon Shard. After checking the torch out, though the swordsman's stance was rather odd and not suited for single sword use, he decided to purchase it with some of his home coins.

[color=Aquamarine]"Lots of interesting things, on sale here, that is for sure. Gonna head back and buy this ice shield in a bit. Maybe you should have a look, there's some stuff that'll make you tougher in the Hero's shop you might like Tora."[/color]  She said, taking a little sit next to them and a break from floating around the market.

[color=Aquamarine]"In less good news, turns out this sword I found is supposed to be very deadly, but it also makes it so that anyone carrying it dies if they take a scratch. Also the charm I found is made of... well, not something talk about while you are eating. Also it makes your teeth fall out as a side-effect of destroying weapons that hit you. So both of those are gonna sit around in the twilight realm till i find a good way to get rid of them. But the Elder Melder who I got to identify them for me was very helpful. and cheap. Nice old lady that one."[/color] She explained, mostly as a result of wanting to vent the knowledge, but also as a way to inform the group about the very useful appraisal service of the Elder Melder.

Although he wanted to give Midna (and her woes about cursed treasure, but mostly Midna) all the attention they were due, Tora couldn't stop wondering what the princess meant when she suggested that he might find things to make him an even better tank in Hero Needs. With a minor sugar high already in progress thanks to the ridiculous saturation of the Nuka Cola, he couldn't stop imagining all sorts of shields, armors, and who knew what else. As such his wandering eyes spotted a certain insect the moment she appeared.

Sectonia looked at Tora as she came out of the shop having bought and used the moon shard, adding its beauty and power to her own. What she saw made her face twitch a bit before she composed herself. She did have an inkling that he was a glutton and she could appreciate him throwing a bit of decadence but it wasn't what she expected. Even so, that soda did look good...  "How has your shopping been. I see Tora is acting like a noble."

"Good," Tora repeated, without any attempt to go into the same detail he did for Midna. Turning away from Sectonia he grabbed Poppi's shoulder, saying, "C'mon, meh! Let's go see what in store!" After a nod from Poppi he quaffed the last of his soda, set it down, and pushed off the stool. The two then went the way Sectonia came, passing a torch-bearing Yoshitsune, and got busy with the item shop's inspection. It didn't take long for the Nopon's eyes to land on the Centaur Heart in all its healthy glory.

"Ooh!" he fawned over the thing. "[i]Twenty-five[/i] percent? Tora going to be strongest toughiepon in whole world!" His mental math determined that the purchase would cut the pair's current funds exactly in half, nice and clean. In fact, it would also spare the whole hundred that was technically Poppi's share. Although he'd been planning to spend the funds for the both of them, Tora realized that since he didn't need to, he could earn some points by leaving the rest for his Blade to use as she pleased. "Meheh! Perfect!" he declared, handing over his gold to the shopkeeper. "Tora have just the right amount!" Following the attached instructions, he smacked the Centaur Heart against his chest and absorbed its power, then looked at Poppi with a big smile. "Poppi want anything? Have whole hundred to spend!"

Poppi smiled at his enthusiasm, thinking. Although she didn't really care about shopping or material goods in general, it was also true she'd never really gotten the chance to try. As such she swept her optics across the store, noting both the mundane and extraordinary products on offer. Of course, any purchases were contingent on her means. "Well, everything else else that special in here too expensive. But if fine, Poppi not need weapons or armor anyway. Ether allow Poppi build everything Poppi need!"

Shaking his head, Tora wrapped his wing around her and squeezed. "That wrong line of thinking, Poppi! Even if have everything Poppi need, is there anything Poppi want? Anything that seem interesting or fun?"

"Want," Poppi repeated. Not something she often considered. Normally she just wanted to help people, to do a good job, and to be around Tora. She liked seeing new places and smelling food, as well. But none of those things could be bought from atop the stopkeeper's tables or inside his shelves. Her optics fell on the Myrmidon Bracer. "Are sure, Tora? With that, could be even tougher in battle."

The thought had occurred to Tora, but he shrugged. "Meeh, we not have enough money anyway."

"Could ask for some from Midna or Sectonia?"

In an instant the suggestion reduced Tora's willpower by approximately ninety percent. He glanced out at his royal allies with upturned brows, knowing it would be so easy, but somehow the Nopon managed to clear his throat. "Ahem!" Forcing himself to look away, he faced Poppi once more. "Tora want Poppi get something Poppi wants."

"Oh!" Knowing what she did of Nopon greed, Poppi counted herself mighty impressed that her Masterpon managed to pull such a stunt off. If he just wanted to virtue signal he could have accepted her generosity after offering his own, but it seemed he'd committed to gaining nothing, except perhaps seeing her smile. She searched the shop again, different mission parameters in mind. For a while she browsed in silence, but eventually she found something and brought it to the shopkeeper to buy. It cost a heavy eighty-five gold for an item that nominally didn't do anything, but when Poppi approached Tora with the [url=https://i.imgur.com/KtlBuT6.jpg]Lunar Tear[/url] glowing softly in her hair, they shared a moment of joy that neither would soon forget.

Having been left with her cursed item woes by the duo Midna sighed, shrugged, and then, after taking a bit more of a break, scooting of back to Rock Solid Deals to make her purchase, the Arctic Shield, which turned out to have a blessed secondary effect of being wonderfully cool in the desert heat. That meant that rather than pop it away into the twilight realm till later she decide to start wearing it straight away, strapping it on her left arm while hugging it close with her right. This might have looked a little strange but felt oh so good. It did leave her with a grand total of 5 gold that she used for a light lunch consisting mostly of a salad. Was it the most exiting or filling meal? No, but it was what she could afford and she wasn't about to beg for food money when she'd just spent so much and refused to make more selling the two cursed items. Also if she needed it she could always dip into the rations her jewelry had helped pay for.

Her shopping done, she headed back to rejoin the group, interested to see what they had ended up buying.

The group ended up coming together back in the first court by the bazaar entrance, meaning Midna didn't have too far to float to reunite with them. The insect (with her own refreshing Nuka Cola and a jar of delicious glazed worms from Rhon Ron's Eatery), the swordsman, the Nopon, and the Blade had come from the temple of commerce together. With the Phantom Thieves as well as Primrose absent for the moment, and both Laharl and Red nowhere to be found, it was a rather small group. She saw Tora examining Yoshitsune's purchase, a war torch that seemed to be able to ignite just by equipping it, with both intrigue and confusion. In the end, though, it just made for another in a long line of things that didn't really make sense and could be chalked up to the all-encompassing 'magic'. It certainly wasn't enough to bring him down from where his fine meal left him. And with a lovely white flower in her lavender hair that somehow complimented the horn-like protrusions in her headband, Poppi looked to be in even better spirits than her Masterpon. "Everyone ready? We should not keep Mr. Band waiting any longer," she advised. 

"What are we doing again?" Yoshitsune asked, being pulled from his thoughts about his swords.

Figuring that her torch-bearing ally might have gotten distracted by everything on offer in the bazaar, Poppi happily explained. "We go check in with Big Band, who by job office on Al Mamoon main street. He in proximity to Resistance bomb plot, so chances good he get intel for us so we can make decision on what do next."

Yoshitsune nodded, following her to where they were supposed to go. "Let's hope this job is more fun than catching a con artist."

[color=Aquamarine]"Don't know about it being fun, but that sounds like a plan. I've been there already, and the fastest way there should be through there I think,"[/color] Midna said, pointing a way out of the market that would take them back to the job office by what she thought would be the quickest route.