[center][h3]Evening in Al Mamoon[/h3]
[b]Location:[/b] Sandswept Sky - Al Mamoon
Midna’s [@DracoLunaris], Sectonia’s [@Archmage MC], Jesse’s [@Zoey Boey], Primrose’s [@Yankee], Yoshitsune and Sora’s [@Rockin Strings], Fox’s [@Dawnrider], Mao’s [@Potemking], Raz’s [@Truthhurts22], Tora, Poppi, and Big Band
[b]Word Count:[/b] 2034 (+3)[/center]

[color=Aquamarine]”Ahh, well I’m glad that's over. Looks like the sneaky guy wasn't as good a spy as he thought huh?”[/color] was the first thing Midna said when they left, stretching as she did so in an attempt to get the stress and tension out. It didn't really work, much to her disgruntlement. [color=Aquamarine]”urgh… I don’t know about you lot, but I could use another bath.. And a foot massage. And dinner, and a drink”[/color] she said, before pausing for a moment and at least solving that last problem by flicking a finger and summoning a bottle of water from the twilight realm. It was lukewarm, but after the fighting and the talking it was still a relief on her throat.

For the second time in just a few minutes Tora leaped into the air with a cheer, seemingly even more enthusiastic than when Validar rendered his verdict on the prisoners’ fate. “Dinner, dinner, dinner-dinner-dinner, meh!” he sang. “Tora could eat Tasty Sausage the size of Poppi!”

[color=Aquamarine]”Better. So, how about you all? Do you have any ideas for the evening now that it looks like we have to spend the night here”[/color] she asked, before adding [color=Aquamarine]”Not that I’m complaining, better here than halfway up a frozen mountain, yes?”[/color]

[color=92278f]”Dinner and a spa date to get rid of this combat grime are my plans. “[/color] Sectonia said. [color=92278f]”The lack of fruits here is a bit disheartening but we haven’t experienced the fine dining here, which should be interesting.”[/color]

[color=979CB2]"We're trading sand for snow once we're out of here?"[/color] Mao questioned, regretting his own words insulting sand before if that was the case. A mountain didn't seem like a problem, but he didn't blend with cold terrains very well. [color=979CB2]"Feh. The cold'll hinder my physical abilities, but I bet whatever's creeping around up there could use the handicap anyways!"[/color] As much as Mao wanted to go ahead and express his weaknesses, he couldn't let himself look [i]too[/i] weak, so a boast following it was a classic form of balance. 

Primrose rolled her eyes at the demon's posturing, but at least this definitely confirmed that Mao would be continuing on with them rather than striking out on his own. Primrose brought her bag around and reached into it, pulling out a certain item she'd purchased from the Starlight Memories shop earlier that day. Now that she looked at it all the closer, it was more of a [url=https://zelda.fandom.com/wiki/Ruby_Circlet]circlet[/url] than a tiara, but she could feel the warmth emanating from the ruby - which was the important part. 

[color=D34C25]"Here,"[/color] she said, presenting the jewelry to Mao. [color=D34C25]"We bought it earlier for situations like this. It is enchanted to protect the wearer from the cold."[/color] It was as much of a "welcome to the team" statement as any. 

One might expect after such a sudden burst of bravado that Mao wouldn't accept a piece of jewelry to add to his person, some point of pride about maintaining an image. Fortunately for him, his image was more about strength than appearance, but despite this it was quite a nice piece as he quickly discovered upon accepting it. Even though he was not 'royalty' by regular means, a ruler deserved his headpiece, right? 

He decided to try it on, the darker desert night not exactly being the warmest now that his clothing was more barren. The effect even here was obvious, making this invaluable for the mountain trek ahead and providing a return to his usual red-colored fashion, which he enjoyed more than he’d admit. [color=979CB2]"Well now anything up there has [i]no chance.[/i]"[/color] Mao acknowledged, obviously pleased by this. Not to mention Primrose was potentially saving him from a lot of embarrassment up there if he got into trouble from his weakened state. He couldn't express it in such a way, but he tried to show appreciation nonetheless. [color=979CB2]"I'll make sure to get it back to you once we reach somewhere warmer. But until then, I'll repay the favor by making this hike a cakewalk!"[/color]

[color=D34C25]""A fair trade,"[/color] the dancer replied with a small smile, [color=D34C25]"it suits you perfectly.”[/color]

[color=Aquamarine]”Sure does”[/color] Midna agreed with dubious sincerity. Sectonia wasn’t as subtle as Midna, shaking her head before laughing quietly. 


Mao took the compliments at face-value, using them as a small boost up the ego ladder. [color=979CB2]"Of course it does."[/color] He responded, playing it off as an obvious fact. Much safer for the image than getting embarrassed, which remained crammed in the back of his mind where it belonged. 

[color=D34C25]”As for evening plans..."[/color] Honestly, everything Midna had mentioned sounded heavenly. Whatever could relieve the tension of the day, and remove all the built up sweat and grim from running throughout the city. They'd been through a tornado, a museum heist, an underground battle, and generally hustling back and forth between the palace and various places of interest. A little down time would do them wonders. Primrose let her shoulders droop slightly and sighed, [color=D34C25]"All of the above."[/color] 

[color=Aquamarine]”Then you and me, at least, should go have a night on the town and put these”[/color] Midna flicked her gold pass up and then caught it again [color=Aquamarine]”to good use. Maybe the spa first? As long as Mr Gibdo was just making a lame joke and they aren't a literal deathtrap that is. Anyone else want to come with?”[/color]

Heaving a heavy sigh, Goldlewis rolled his shoulders. “You go ahead, li’l miss. I ain’t whatcha’d call the public bathin’ type. Much rather get some grub in me--I barely had a crumb since breakfast!”

The news seemed to excite Tora even more, if that were possible. “Woohoo, perfect! Big feast for big boys, meh!”

“Sure thing, pardner,” Goldlewis chuckled, unbothered by the innocently-made comment and instead just happy that Tora wanted to hang out with him. Though he towered over the Nopon in terms of stature, the Secretary of Absolute Defense knew from the raid on Khamoon Temple that Tora was a formidable little guy, and anyone who could take it easy whiling enjoying life’s simple pleasures was alright in his book.

“Mr. Goldlewis know place to go?” Poppi asked. Although unable to eat herself, the artificial blade relished the thought of savoring the aromas of whatever the others might get. Although she knew little about the big man, he seemed more knowledgeable about Al Mamoon than either her or her Masterpon, so she looked forward to his recommendation.

Stroking his whiskers, Goldlewis gave a slow nod. “Reckon I do. Not the fanciest joint in town, but it’ll fill ya up somethin’ fierce. Been itchin’ for an occasion t’go.”

Mao, drawn in by Tora and Goldlewis' topic of food, couldn't help but find the large man's description enticing. Mao recalled that he'd skipped lunch, instead allowing for Baz and Klee to tear that pizza of theirs apart. Having been beaten to near death twice in the span of a day, Mao's stomach definitely wasn't surviving off of whatever he crammed away while raiding Rocket Inc, either. [color=979CB2]"If the food's that filling, I've got to try it myself."[/color] Mao commented, seemingly inviting himself though he actually managed to vocalize his request a little less rudely. [color=979CB2]"Room for one more?"[/color]

"I heard something about food?" Sora asked, approaching Goldlewis, Tora, Poppi, and Mao. "Mind if I join you?"

“Always!” Tora assured him, although a mischievous air overtook him. “As long as skinny friend can handle it!”

Mao's eyes squinted behind his glasses, feeling challenged despite being painfully unaware of the potential the rotund little Nopon had. [color=979CB2]"I might not be egg-shaped like you, but I can pack it away all the same!"[/color]

[color=92278f]”Just show some beauty when you eat. It would be unbecoming if you just shoveled food down your gullet like a barbarian.”[/color] Sectonia said, wagging her finger.

The Phantom Thieves, meanwhile, had naturally gathered on the periphery of the group, and in the midst of their casual conversation Panther popped over to wave at everyone. “You guys go ahead! Although a spa sounds, like, crazy nice, we’re gonna go off on our own to catch up.”

Given that they'd had very little time between rescuing their friend Fox and diving right back into the thick of battle, that made sense. Though Primrose had planned to invite Panther along with them, getting some time to relax with just her close friends would probably be good for all of the young Thieves. [color=D34C25]"Try and get some rest,"[/color] she told them.

Ever on his ladyship’s heels, whether wanted or not, Mona added, “We’ll see you all tomorrow morning! Just remember to get to bed early, and don’t drink yourselves into hangovers or anything!”

The cartoonish cat’s advice brooked a smile from Big Band. “Just you try an’ stop me, big chief,” he joked, but his joviality faded as he took a sweeping look around at the city painted pink and orange by the desert sunset. “Sadly, my work ain’t done for tonight. Gotta see about this little girl o’ mine after all. Once I grab me a long drink of the blues its back to searchin’.”

Goldlewis put his hands on his hips, concerned for his new friend’s acquaintance, but he got the feeling that if Band thought he could be of help, he’d say so. “Alrighty then, good luck. If ya need a hand make sure ya let me know.”

Hoisting his coffin, the big man prepared to lead his company to dinner. Tora followed along eagerly, but Poppi thought to look back at the others. “Anyone else want come?”

“I could eat,” Jesse said, following team dinner.

[color=92278f]”I will try some fine dining. And some minion bonding time over dinner doesn’t sound bad either.”[/color] Sectonia said.

“Can I come too?” Once again trying awkwardly to wedge himself into the pre-established group, Raz quite literally wedged himself into the group, needing to push his big head past a couple of them to join the conversation. “I know I’m not, y’know, [i]officially[/i] a part of, uh…” he gestured around. “Whatever it is you all are doing, but I think I was pretty helpful with Validar in there, right? Enough to tag along to a celebration dinner?”

Yoshitsune watched as everyone grouped up to get food, a spa trip, or whatever jobs they were doing. Each one sounded enticing. Deciding food could wait a bit longer, he approached Midna's group. "Mind if I come along?"

[color=Aquamarine]”By all means,”[/color] Midna agreed pleasantly, adding muttering  [color=Aquamarine]”at least someone has some hygiene around here”[/color] unkindly, very much expecting/hoping that said spa would have/be around a place where she could was of the grime of battle. The other spa-goer was not as quick with her assent. Primrose looked purposefully down at Yoshitsune's metal legs and the wheels attached to them with a raised eyebrow. How exactly that would work in a bath she didn't know. When she looked back up to meet the samurai's eyes, her expression was somewhat guarded. Ultimately, she ended up agreeing with Midna, giving the man a small nod of approval. 

[color=Aquamarine]”Also, before you run off to eat, your [i]majesty[/i]”[/color] she said to Sectonia, [color=Aquamarine]”You and I really should check in with your minions and my ride’s search of the desert. Not to put a damper on things, but they’ll either have results or have failed at this point, I would think?”[/color]

Yoshitsune sighed. Either they'd have their allies back or they'd be lost forever. "Any more time spent on the search is wasting resources, right?" he asked the Twilight Princess and the Bee Queen.

[color=92278f]”Unfortunately once I’ve given my antillions a task that’s it. I don’t have any long range communications. Although once they’re done, they tend to search me out or expire. ”[/color] Sectonia said.

Yoshitsune turned to Midna, "Didn't you send some wolves too?"

[color=Aquamarine]”One. And I’m bringing it home once the sun sets one way or another. Not that it can tell us if it found anyone really, but we’ll at least know if they all expired or not.”[/color]

"Then we'll know soon enough," the samurai sighed in understanding. 

With everyone decided on a course to take, be it alone or in a group, the Seekers bid the others farewell and were on their way.