[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190924/544c85ab5c75bc61a4bb5ce40dc0caa6.png[/img]
[color=salmon]Word Count: 595 (+1 exp)(+10 collab)[/color]
[color=salmon][u]Level[/u]: [b]8[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 82/80
[b]Location:[/b] Edge of the Blue[/color][/center]
The Cadet came running out of the tunnel just in time to see the last lingering effects of Master Hand vanishing. Had it said [i]New Record?[/i] So that meant they'd done it, right? After a few seconds of no one dropping dead or turning into ash, it seemed like they'd definitely succeeded, even if by a hair's breadth. There was a collective sigh of relief as the wall of fog disappeared. 

He picked up Ms. Fortune's separated hand, giving it a little high five before letting it return to her. [color=salmon]"Pawsitively clawdacious job guys,"[/color] he said. Time trials were tough, but now the way forward was unimpeded. One last battle and their work in this area of the world would be done.

The tunnel wasn't that long, and after arriving in the grotto the Cadet was happy to regroup, take stock of everything and let Blazermate go to work. It was a much needed breather. At this point the Seeker usually dealt with the spirits in their possession, and they did so now as well after Nadia mentioned that they should use the chance to power up while they could.

[color=salmon]"Good idea, since we're down a man,"[/color] he said. With how close the Seekers had cut it, plus the overall exhaustion and trip into the open grotto, no one had brought up the fact that Mirage was missing. Whether it slipped their minds or the topic was too hard, the Cadet decided to ease any worries that might have been silently stewing. [color=salmon]"About Mirage - he took a hard hit but the palicoes managed to grab him, so he will be okay. He's probably half way back to Limsa already."[/color]

That left one more free ticket for the Felyne rescue service by his math, but even so he hoped it wouldn't come down to that. On the subject of powering up though, he went over and looked at the spirit orbs in detail. Besides the Oceanid there was... a somnacanth-looking thing, two feminine ship girls, a woman with cat ears, two carapaceon monsters, and a diminutive wizard. [color=salmon]"...I'll pass on the fusion though."[/color]

Personally he couldn't stomach the idea of personally fusing with a monster. Maybe if it really came down to it, do or die, but otherwise if he could avoid it the Cadet would gladly leave that for others that were more comfortable with it. And letting alone the wizard, he was already fused with a ship girl. If he took another he would be more ship girl than Ace Cadet! He gestured for the others to have at it, with the observation that a couple might make good equipment and he that he wouldn't mind crushing them into items for people.

He took a step back, finishing up any last minute prep he could do for the battle ahead, which included swapping his vambraces. While the others went about their business, Kamek dropped some pretty surprising information. 

[color=salmon]"Whoa, really?"[/color] Thinking about it, he supposed it would make sense that others would figure out the whole spirits-thing. Especially their opposition, as that Hand could just tell them about it. Just another thing to watch out for. But the whole resurrection thing? It was eerie, sure, but would change things in a huge way for them. If there were any casualties the rest could fight on knowing their friend would be back with them soon. It was pretty much impossible not to be interested in that. Although he still didn't volunteer to test any of the spirits out himself, he watched the results with curiosity.