Quest 01 (Open)

[newmemorywhodis]

i. Flotsam: Scouting from the sails
In any new place, Link's first instinct is always to go up. Get high, get somewhere he can see, and then paraglide to the next point of interest. Well, with no paraglider, he couldn't do the last part. But he could do the rest.

So Link will just casually climb up the mast of whatever ship he happens to be on. If there's a ladder, he'll use it. But if there isn't, he'll find a way to scamper up anyway. From there, he'll perch on the edge of the sails, looking out over the armada of ships that make up the Flotsam.

And if you don't spot him when it's up or - or feel like braving the heights to join him - well, he's gotta come down sometime. He might drop down next to you.

ii. Flotsam: Floating markets
Link can't afford anything here, but already he loves this place.

He's already mentally making a long list of things he wants to buy - that wickedly long spear! That exotic spice! The weird glowing rock that would probably be useful somehow! But it's the clothes shops that Link ends up spending the most time in. Something with a bit of protection would be best, but he can't help but also be drawn to some more decorative options. Like that nice flowy white blouse, that reminds him of the Gerudo style...

iii. Flotsam and/or the Vault: Sword practice
On the deck of one of the ships - or sometimes in the Vault's armoury, if he's feeling like a change of scenery - Link finds runs through a sequence of sword forms. They're smooth and practiced, leaving no openings or visible weaknesses in form. It's clear from the way he moves that these movements have been ingrained over many, many years.

When the sequence comes to an end, he lists up his sword and looks at it. It's not the Sword that Seals the Darkness. It's not even comparable to most of his other weapons. But it's serviceable enough. Link can fight with a stick if he has to - he can certainly make do with this.

Comments

[newmemorywhodis]

Link absolutely does not waste the opportunity.

As Laios blocks, he swings his sword under to press the advantage, and strike at the brief gap in Laios's defenses. It's an aggressive, confident manoeuvre.

And whether the hit lands or misses, he then hops backwards - and begins circling again, just out of easy range.

[xenovore]

There's another startled little noise from Laios a half-moment after the blow lands. If this were a real fight, one that Laios wasn't sufficiently armored for, that could have seriously wounded him. 'Damn it.'

Laios isn't so magnanimous a person to have no disappointment at essentially losing the first bout, but he's certainly mature enough to set it aside. Besides, he could tell this guy was good- that's why he asked for the spar in the first place!

Laios joins Link in circling, thinking quickly. If he just goes for a strike again, this guy can probably just dodge and hit like that again. He's faster than Laios. But his range is shorter. But there's enough open space on deck for him to stay out of Laios's range and watch for openings. In a different environment Laios might have a better shot...

He can't change the environment entirely, but maybe he can make it harder for Link to maneuver if he herds him towards the railings or into a corner.

Laios changes up his movements slightly, not just circling but gradually moving towards Link in an almost spiral motion. He doesn't reach out to strike, however, just tries to keep it so that Link has to continually move back out of Laios's easy range.

[newmemorywhodis]

Fortunately, it's not a real fight; Link's not aiming to kill, or even wound. Not like he would if this were a real enemy.

Now, though, the two continue to circle - with Laios pressing ever forward, and Link moving back. Until eventually, his back hits the railing.

Nowhere to go. Link stares back at Laios, eyes narrowed.

And then grabs the life ring hanging off the railing, and chucks it at Laios's head. Who said they had to stick to swords?

[xenovore]

"Hey!"

Laios instinctively raises his sword, defensively, as he sees Link's arm-and-life-ring dart forward. The ring of cork isn't the most deadly of projectiles, but it does serve as a distraction for Link to take advantage of, whether that's to try landing another hit or to squirrel out of the corner Laios herded him into.

[newmemorywhodis]

A distraction is all Link needs.

Which he takes to dart in close, bringing his sword up in a wide sweeping uppercut, followed by a sequence of strikes that aim to push Laios back, while also allowing Link shift his position.

At the end, they'll have switched places - with Laios now closer to the railing.